Visiting Student Certificate Program

The Visiting Student Certificate Program (VSCP) is a unique program enabling students to study at UAlberta for six to 12 months in regular academic courses while enhancing their English language skills.

The VSCP is for students whose first language is not English and who have an English Language Proficiency test score below 86 iBT (TOEFL) or 6.5 IELTS or who have not taken TOEFL or IELTS tests before.

To be eligible for the VSCP, students must:

• be registered in a degree program in a university outside of Canada, and
• must have written consent from their university to participate in the program.

Program highlights
Academic information
Services for VSCP Students
Certificate
Dates, fees, & deadlines
VSCP Cancellation and refund policies
How to apply

Program Highlights

• a flexible academic schedule with varied start and end dates
• flexible English language requirements
• assistance with the application process
• a program of in-class and extracurricular English Language and cultural activities
• transferable credit in academic courses
• the opportunity to live in a campus residence with international or Canadian students
• excellent program outcomes, such as improved English language skills, greater independence, a deeper understanding of intercultural and global issues

Learn more about the program from our VSCP brochure (PDF).

Academic Information

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Students do not need to present an English Language Proficiency test score to be eligible for admission to the VSCP. All VSCP students are required to take one or two ESL courses to better prepare them for academic studies in English.

At the start of the program:

• VSCP students presenting an official score of 70 internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or 5.5 IELTS will have direct entry into the English for Academic Purposes course, ESL 140.
• VSCP students with a score below 70 iBT or 5.5 IELTS or who have not taken a TOEFL or IELTS test will be placed in an ESL course level based on their placement test result.

A student’s level of English will determine how many academic credits they can earn while at the University of Alberta. It is recommended that students who must earn academic credit during their study abroad program start the VSCP with a minimum 70 iBT or 5.5 IELTS score.

Students who do not meet these recommended test scores may be required to register for academic courses as an auditor, which means they can observe the lectures but do not receive any credit.

Registration in Academic Courses

All academic course registration is done in consultation with a VSCP advisor.

A VSCP student can register in an academic course if:

1. The student has a strong enough level of English to be successful in the course.
2. The student has the background (prerequisites) for the course.
3. There are seats available in the class.
4. The student has the permission from the faculty, Department, or instructor to remain in the course.

• VSCP students can register in Open Studies Courses in the Faculties of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, Arts, Education, Library & Information Studies, Native Studies, Physical Education, and Science.
• Students who choose non-Open Studies courses will require official permission from the teaching department to register in these courses. These requests are submitted after the VSCP schedule starts and permission is not guaranteed. Students who need non-Open Studies courses to graduate may need to consider a different study abroad program. Non-Open Studies courses include business (e.g. finance, marketing, management and human resources), engineering and senior level courses. There is an additional fee for business and engineering courses.
• VSCP students cannot take courses in law, medicine, dentistry or nursing.
• VSCP students may audit many academic courses. This means that students can attend the lectures but do not need to do the assignments or exams. Students DO NOT receive academic credit for audit courses. The audit fee is half of the credit fee.

Academic course information is available online.

The symbols for Open Studies courses are  and  in the course listings information.

You can search course schedules by logging in to Bear Tracks, UAlberta's online system, as a guest.

Services for VSCP Students

VSCP students received personalized services, including:

• Airport welcome
• Orientation to shopping, neighbourhood, campus and other basic living requirements
• Assistance settling into accommodation
• Course registration and academic advising
• A superior experience in both academic and non-academic courses
• Ongoing seminars in cultural, social, and academic areas
• Volunteer placement
•  Cultural and social activities including a trip to the Canadian Rockies (additional fees apply) 

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the VSCP the student will receive a Certificate of Participation and a transcript of credit for evaluation by the student's home university.

Dates, Fees & Deadlines

A $115 program application fee and a $175 residence application fee are payable at the time of application. Both fees are non-refundable.

1. The Program Fee for VSCP Schedules 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 includes two seven-week ESL courses, student
    service fees for the first two or four months, VSCP seminars and staff services. Academic course fees and accommodation fees are not included in the program fee.
2. The Program Fee for VSCP schedules 3 and 4 include one seven-week ESL course student service fees
    for the first two or four months, VSCP seminars and staff services. Academic course fees and accommodation fees are not included in the program fee.
3. Students applying for a campus residence must submit their VSCP and residence application before April 30 to be guaranteed a residence assignment.

VSCP Cancellation and Fees Refund Policies

Applications must be cancelled in writing prior to the first day of the first required ESL course in order for the VSCP Program Fee to be cancelled in full.  The VSCP application fee, Residence Application Fee, and Homestay Placement Fee are non-refundable.

Students who withdraw from the program after the commencement of the required ESL courses and prior to the 30th day of the month that their final required ESL term ends are eligible for a partial refund of the VSCP Program Fee.

How to Apply

See our instructions on applying to the Visiting Student Certificate Program (VSCP).