Academic Upgrading

The Ontario Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program help adults to develop and apply communication, numeracy, interpersonal and digital skills to achieve their goals. The LBS program is FREE and serves learners who have goals to successfully transition to employment, apprenticeship or post-secondary education. Upon successful completion of the LBS program, students are eligible to continue in the ACE certificate program (see below).

Program features

As part of the program, you'll receive:

• Information and referrals;
• An assessment of your literacy skills;
• A personalized learner plan;
• Training;
• Follow-up support.

Who is eligible?

• 19 years of age or older
• Ontario resident
• Out of school for one full year or more
• With or without a high school diploma
• Proficient in English
• Completion of admission assessment
• Some applicants 16 to 18 years of age may also be eligible.

Next steps

Contact us at academic_upgrading@fanshawec.ca to get started with a one-on-one intake appointment and free assessment of your writing, reading and math skills in London, or connect with your preferred regional campus:

Simcoe | lbs.simcoe@fanshawec.ca

St. Thomas | cesstt@fanshawec.ca

Aylmer | cesayl@fanshawec.ca

Woodstock | cholt@fanshawec.ca

Earn the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate, which is considered a grade 12 equivalency by colleges in Ontario for admission. Many employers also recognize the ACE certificate. The FREE program includes courses in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer skills and success strategies. Upon successful completion of the ACE program, you may be ready to apply to a college-level program or enter into an apprenticeship.

Program features

You may only need to earn or upgrade one or two prerequisite courses to meet the admission requirements for your post-secondary program of choice. Check your program's admission requirements by researching your program of interest.

Upgrading courses (offered fully online through the London Downtown Campus):

• Biology - College Prep
• Chemistry - College Prep
• Physics - College Prep
• Math Fundamentals
• ACE Communication - College Entrance

Contact us at academic_upgrading@fanshawec.ca for more information.

 If you're a newcomer to Canada, pursue FREE workplace language training that will help you to:

• communicate better with supervisors, colleagues and clients;
• understand your sector and occupation in Canada;
• understand Canadian workplace culture in your field; and
• develop strong interviewing, networking and job-search communication skills.

Learn more about OSLT

 In coordination with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) and the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB), Fanshawe is pleased to provide the Adult Dual Credit Program. This program allows adults who are completing their secondary school diplomas to gain an extra boost by earning a Fanshawe College credit while finishing their OSSDs.

You may be eligible for Adult Dual Credits if you are:

• 21 years of age or older; 
• Currently earning your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) through TVDSB, LDCSB or GEDSB;
• Close to completing your OSSD.

Learn more about the School-College Work Initiative (SCWI)

 Fanshawe offers FREE foundational development programs to help you upgrade essentials skills for everyday life, such as:

• Financial literacy
• Digital literacy

Contact us at academic_upgrading@fanshawec.ca to get started with a one-on-one intake appointment and free assessment of your writing, reading and math skills in London, or connect with your preferred regional campus:

Simcoe | lbs.simcoe@fanshawec.ca

St. Thomas | cesstt@fanshawec.ca

Aylmer | cesayl@fanshawec.ca

Woodstock | cholt@fanshawec.ca

In order to qualify for the tuition-free Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate program, you must complete four (4) courses in the program. If you need to upgrade a single course to qualify for admission to a post-secondary program at Fanshawe, you may pay to register in a course without enrolling in the full ACE program. See the above section on upgrading prerequisite courses, or email academic_upgrading@fanshawec.ca for more information about our next intake of upgrading classes. 

Yes! Please email academic_upgrading@fanshawec.ca for more information about our next intake of upgrading classes. 

 The ACE program itself takes approximately eight (8) weeks to complete. However, the diagnostic assessment beforehand determines whether or not you are ready to begin the program. If you need more upgrading before starting ACE, it could take up to eight months to complete all of the necessary upgrading including the ACE program.

Yes, some students may qualify for the ACE program even if they are below 18 years of age. Please email academic_upgrading@fanshawec.ca for more information about determining your eligibility.