Learning English for Academic Purposes Program
The Learning English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) program is a comprehensive intensive program designed to prepare academically qualified students whose native language is not English for entry to the University's degree or diploma programs. The LEAP program is for prospective international, Permanent Resident or Canadian students whose level of English language proficiency is at a high-intermediate to low-advanced level. This program is not designed for beginners. LEAP students have the option of enrolling as LEAP Only students to study English only or academically qualified students can apply for admission to the combined LEAP + Degree program. At the beginning of each session all LEAP students are given a placement examination and the results determine whether the student will be placed in Level 2, 3 or 4 or an Introductory level 1. Each level of LEAP consists of four half-course equivalents. Courses in each level are co-requisites and must be taken as a group. Successful completion of all courses in Level 4 waives the ELP requirement for admission into all undergraduate programs except for the Faculty of Education's Bachelor of Education program. Applicants to the Faculty of Nursing must also present a satisfactory score on the MELAB Speaking test or the Test of Spoken English (TSE) in addition to successful completion of LEAP level 4. Please refer to the following web site for details: http://www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/admission_requirements/elp.html In addition to the courses, LEAP students will participate in a series of organized activities designed to enhance conversational, learning and study skills. These programs will assist students to succeed while studying in a new educational system and environment. LEAP students who are admitted into Level 4 are permitted to take one University credit course per session while enrolled in the program with the approval of the LEAP Coordinator. LEAP courses may not be used for credit toward a degree or diploma program. One session (four months) is required to complete each Level. LEAP courses are offered during Fall, Winter, and combined Spring/Summer Sessions and students can begin their LEAP classes at the beginning of any session. The University of Calgary will accept applications for admission to the LEAP Only program throughout the year for the next scheduled session. Applications for Admission to the LEAP + Degree program will be accepted for the Fall Session only. Fees are the same as regular University of Calgary courses. All international students (those on Study Permits) pay 100% differential fees. Regardless of the category under which a student registers, no waiver of fees will be made. Students cannot audit LEAP courses. Class sizes are limited to 22 students per section. | |
Continuation Requirement | (a) Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 courses: Students who achieve a grade of "C" or better in all LEAP courses at these levels will be permitted to advance to the next level. Students who achieve a grade of "C-" in one or more courses may be deemed to have insufficient preparation for subsequent LEAP courses and may be required to repeat and successfully complete all courses in that level before advancing. Students who obtain a grade of "D+," "D," or "F" in one or more courses must repeat and satisfactorily complete all courses in Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 before advancing to the next level. (b) Level 4 Courses: Successful completion of all Level 4 courses with a grade of 'C' or better, waives the ELP requirement for admission into all undergraduate programs except for the Faculty of Education's Bachelor of Education program. Applicants to the Faculty of Nursing must also present a satisfactory score on the MELAB Speaking test or the Test of Spoken English (TSE) in addition to successful completion of LEAP level 4. Please refer to the following web site for details: http://www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/admission_requirements/elp.html. Students who achieve a grade of "C-" in one or more courses may be deemed to have insufficient proficiency in that subject area and may be required to repeat and successfully complete the courses. Students who obtain a grade of "D+," "D," or "F" in one or more courses must repeat and satisfactorily complete those courses before advancing into full-time degree studies. Students repeating courses will not have the original grade removed from the transcript of record. The transcript of record will indicate both the original grade and the repeated courses with the final grades in the session(s) in which they were taken. Appeals of grades in LEAP courses will be heard by a special committee. |
LEAP + Degree | LEAP students enrolled in University undergraduate degree/diploma programs: A student may be admitted as a Regular Student to an undergraduate degree or diploma program with the requirement that he/she successfully completes the LEAP program. Students have 12 months to complete levels 2, 3 and 4 of LEAP or their registration will be cancelled. Admission into regular university courses requires the successful completion of LEAP Level 4. Students enrolled in Level 4 may pre-register for credit courses offered in the next session(s). If a student does not complete Level 4 successfully or meet the University's ELP requirement, his/her registration will be cancelled. In exceptional circumstances, the Dean of the student's home faculty may extend the time required to complete the LEAP program beyond the 12 months. All LEAP + Degree students must meet the University's Effective Writing Requirement within twelve months from the beginning of the session of the student's initial registration in a credit course. Applications for Admission to the LEAP + Degree will be accepted for the Fall Session only. LEAP + Degree students are advised that grades for LEAP courses are not used in the calculation of yearly grade point averages for the purposes of the official transcript of record nor cumulative and continuous grade point averages determined by the faculties. These students are also advised that faculty requirements for continuation in a degree/diploma program are significantly different than that for the LEAP program. Students must refer to the appropriate sections of this Calendar for specific promotion and graduation requirements. |
LEAP Only | LEAP students not enrolled in University undergraduate degree/diploma programs: LEAP students may register (as Open Studies students) to study in the English Only program. Students registered in LEAP Level 4 are, however, permitted to register in one credit course per session with approval of the LEAP Coordinator. If students are also interested in seeking admission to a degree/diploma program at the University, they must complete an Application for Admission to that program by the appropriate deadline in addition to submitting all required documentation in support of their application. Successful completion of LEAP Level 4 can be used to satisfy the English Language Arts 30-1 requirement for admission purposes. Completion of the LEAP program does not guarantee admission to a degree or diploma program. The University of Calgary will accept Applications for Admission to LEAP Only in all three sessions. |
Withdrawal from LEAP Courses | The last day to withdraw from LEAP courses will be the last day of lectures for LEAP courses. |
Further Information | The Learning English for Academic Purposes program courses are listed in the courses of instruction section of this Calendar under English Language Foundation. For information on admission to the LEAP Only program or the combined LEAP + Degree program, please contact the Learning English for Academic Purposes office. |
Location: Education Block 170 E-mail:leap@ucalgary.ca | |
Admission Requirements | The normal requirement for admission to the LEAP program is English as a Second Language training with results at a high-intermediate to low-advanced level. Upon arrival at the University of Calgary, all students will be tested and placed in the appropriate level of the program. Students must be present at the placement test in the session they are first attending. If unable to attend, students must notify the LEAP Coordinator at leap@ucalgary.ca by the placement test date. Failure to notify the Coordinator could result in cancellation of their acceptance into the program. Additionally, students applying to the LEAP + Degree must meet the admission requirements of the faculty to which they are applying. Students requiring letters of acceptance for immigration purposes are strongly encouraged to apply early due to varying processing times required by Canadian Immigration. |
LEAP + Degree Application Deadlines | Applications for admission to LEAP + degree will be accepted for the Fall session only. Students must submit their Application for Admission and all required documents to the Recruitment and Admissions Office by the following dates: International Students applying from outside Canada Application - February 1 Documents - April 1 International Students applying from within Canada Application - April 1 Documents - June 30 for transfer applicants August 1 for high school applicants Canadian and Landed Immigrants Application - April 1 Documents - June 30 for transfer applicants August 1 for high school applicants |
LEAP Only Application Deadlines | Applicants must submit all required forms and documents to the Learning English for Academic Purposes Coordinator by the deadlines stated below. International Students applying from outside Canada Fall Session - March 15 Winter Session - July 15 Spring/Summer Sessions - December 1 International Students applying from within Canada Fall Session - July 1 Winter Session - November 1 Spring/Summer Sessions - March 15 Canadian and Landed Immigrants Fall Session - August 15 Winter Session - December 1 Spring/Summer Sessions - April 1 |