English Academic Preparation (EAP)

Welcome to the UPEI EAP program!

English Academic Preparation (EAP) is an intensive language program for students who do not meet the UPEI language requirements but have conditional admission to a degree program. Our goal is to help students begin their degree program as soon as possible.

Our courses focus on:

  • building academic writing
  • critical reading
  • listening comprehension
  • oral communication skills for undergraduate studies

The EAP program is divided into two categories:

  • EAP
  • EAP Bridging Program

EAP Full Time Program

The Full Time Program is for students who have high-beginner to low intermediate English. Students in this program take English classes Monday to Friday for a total of 15 hours each week. Classes focus on reading, listening, writing, and communication.

EAP Bridging Program

The EAP Bridging Program is for students who have a high intermediate to low advanced level of English. These students take a combination of EAP courses (for example, Academic Writing Critical Reading, or Oral Communications) and academic courses in their major of study.

How are students registered in EAP courses?

Students are registered in EAP courses using the scores from the English assessment taken with the EAP Office before their first semester of study at UPEI. The number of EAP courses required depends on students’ assessment scores. See the EAP Placement Guideline Table for more information about course placements.

Students must meet the UPEI language proficiency requirements to study in an undergraduate program without EAP support. Please refer to UPEI's English Language Proficiency Requirements for more information about conditional admissions to undergraduate programs.

At the end of each session, students’ course grades determine the next appropriate learning level. See the EAP Program Student Handbook for more information.

What is the UPEI Language Placement Test?

The UPEI assessment is for students who have a conditional admission to a UPEI program and required to take the EAP Program. It is also open to individuals applying to a UPEI program who live on PEI.

Before starting at UPEI students take the UPEI language placement test. Test scores are used to decide which EAP program students will start in: EAP Full Time or the EAP Bridging Program.

The placement test approximately 2.5 hours to complete.

The placement test is comprised of 4 sections:

  • Listening Comprehension - 30 minutes 
  • Reading Comprehension - 50 minutes
  • Written Essay - 60 minutes
  • Oral Interview - 10 minutes

The UPEI English assessment was developed by the University of Ottawa. Scores are expressed in band widths ranging from 1 (low) to 5 (high). This means that the bands—the competence levels measure—are wide. In mathematical terms, 0.5 is a tiny amount, but in assessment terms, 0.5 is about a 20 % differential.

It is important that new students contact the EAP Office by email at eap@upei.ca or visit the English Language Centre (Robertson Library building, room 225) to schedule an English assessment.  

PLEASE NOTE: All new students who have a conditional admission to a degree program must take the UPEI English Assessment before they can be registered in UPEI classes. Information about conditional admission is on students’ letter of offer.

Contact:

To make a test appointment, contact:

Christina Perry
cperry@upei.ca; eap@upei.ca
902-620-5070

The EAP Office is located at the English Language Centre, Robertson Library Building, Room 225.

Where can I get information about other English assessments?

Note: UPEI does not accept CanTEST results from Holland College because Holland College is not an official testing site for CanTEST.

English Language Centre

Relevant Links