English for Academic Purposes

EAP

Upcoming Courses

  Course(s) Dates Tuition
Winter 2024 All levels

January 8 to April 4, 2024 (12 weeks)

$4,900 (CAD)
Spring 2024 All levels April 8 to June 27, 2024 (12 weeks)

$4,900 (CAD)
Summer 2024 EAP 2 only June 10 to August 29, 2024 (12 weeks) $4,900 (CAD)
Summer 2024 All levels except EAP 2 July 8 to August 29, 2024 (8 weeks) $3,300 (CAD)
Summer 2024 EAP 2 Academic Connections July 8 to December 3, 2024  (Learn more here)

$4,900 (CAD)
Fall 2024 All levels September 9 to December 5, 2024 (12 weeks)

$4,900 (CAD)

Please see below for further course details.


Choosing Your EAP Program | Online or Face-to-Face

  • Are you planning to take a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate at Dalhousie or any English-speaking university?
  • Have you been conditionally accepted into a Dalhousie academic program but do not meet English language requirements?
  • Are you an advanced English student who wishes to improve their English? Students do not have to be conditionally accepted into a Dalhousie academic program to take Dalhousie’s EAP courses.

The EAP courses consist of 24 hours a week of instruction. The courses can be taken 100% online or face-to-face.

Please Note: Several important factors affect any decisions related to holding classes in person at Dalhousie University. These include vaccine production and distribution, expanding testing regimes, ongoing public health restrictions, and the state of domestic and international travel. We will keep you updated with the latest information.

What will you learn?

  • Write academic texts, including research essays and reports
  • Carry out research using the Dalhousie library and digital resources 
  • Apply strategies for more effective reading of academic texts
  • Better understand and take notes in university lectures
  • Prepare and deliver effective academic oral presentations 
  • Participate in seminars, tutorials and academic debates 
  • Develop advanced grammar and vocabulary skills, and the ability to edit and proofread your own writing


EAP Program Placement

The EAP Placement Test is used to make sure every student is in the level where they will learn the most. Please enquire at els@dal.ca about our class placement equivalents. Registering for the EAP Placement Test takes place when you apply to the EAP Program. 


Learn more about all the levels of the EAP courses

EAP Foundations 1 (288 hours over 12 weeks)

This is a pre-intermediate course at the A2 level that is an introduction to English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

In this course, students will:

  • develop their ability to understand and express themselves orally in formal and informal situations in the university context and understand short texts of a variety of styles and disciplines.
  • expand their general and specialized vocabulary and write accurate sentences and paragraphs.
  • develop these language skills and abilities while starting to explore the topics, practices and behaviours associated with academic success at university.

    CEFR Level A2 (What does this mean?)
  • Length: 12 weeks
    Tuition Fee (text included): $4900 (CAD)

    Course Delivery Method: 
  • 100% online
  • Face-to-face on campus
Term Dates Tuition Fee (text included)
Winter 2024

January 8 to April 4, 2024

$4900 (CAD)
Spring/Summer 2024 April 8 to June 27, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Fall 2024 September 9 to December 5, 2024 $4900 (CAD)

Both delivery methods include scheduled and self-paced content. Learn more about online and face-to-face delivery.

Course Materials: Course texts are included in the fee. They include digital course books as well as supplementary texts, and materials, including authentic materials for listening and reading. Audio-visual and multimedia material, such as videos, audio recordings, and web-based content is also used.

EAP Foundations 2 (288 hours over 12 weeks)

This is an intermediate-level course at the B1 level with a focus on building a solid foundation in English for academic purposes.

In this course students will:

  • learn to apply their English skills to academic tasks as they deepen their knowledge of English and develop their ability to use it in a university context;
  • be introduced to the research process and learn to write well-structured, accurate essays and other texts;
  • form strategies for reading and listening comprehension of short academic texts and lectures and improve their speaking abilities when discussing their area of study and other topics;
  • broaden their knowledge of the topics, practices and behaviours associated with academic success at university.

CEFR Level B1 (What does this mean?)

Length: 12 weeks
Tuition Fee (text included): $4900 (CAD)
=
Course Delivery Method: 

  • 100% online
  • Face-to-face on campus
Term Dates Tuition Fee (included
Winter 2024 January 8 to April 4, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Spring/Summer 2024 April 8 to June 27, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Fall 2024 September 9 to December 5, 2024 $4900 (CAD)

Both delivery methods include scheduled and self-paced content. Learn more about online and face-to-face delivery.

Course Materials: Course texts are included in the fee. They include digital course books as well as supplementary texts, and materials, including authentic materials for listening and reading. Audio-visual and multimedia material, such as videos, audio recordings, and web-based content is also used.

EAP Level 1 (288 hours over 12 weeks)

This an upper-intermediate course at the B2 level in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), helping develop students’ listening, speaking, reading, writing, research and academic skills in preparation for study at university.

The course focuses on key spoken and written academic genres and provides learners with opportunities to:

  • develop a range of listening skills and strategies:
  • participate in various speaking situations in the academic context;
  • develop academic reading skills;
  • improve writing ability over a range of academic genres.

The course also includes instruction on research and library skills along with academic behaviour, such as time-management, study skills for effective independent learning and knowledge of academic integrity. CEFR Level B2 (What does this mean?)

Length: 12 weeks
Tuition Fee (text included): $4900 (CAD)

Course Delivery Method: 

  • 100% online
  • Face-to-face on campus
Term Dates Tuition Fee (text included)
Winter 2024 January 8 to April 4, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Spring/Summer 2024 April 8 to June 27, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Fall 2024 September 9 to December 5, 2024 $4900 (CAD)

Both delivery methods include scheduled and self-paced content. Learn more about online and face-to-face delivery.

Course Materials: Course texts are included in the fee. They include digital course books as well as supplementary texts, and materials, including authentic materials for listening and reading. Audio-visual and multimedia material, such as videos, audio recordings, and web-based content is also used.

EAP Level 2 (288 hours over 12 weeks)

This C1 level course prepares students for undergraduate or graduate-level study in English.

It allows students to:

  • develop the ability to read effectively and comprehend high-level academic texts;
  • acquire a rich academic vocabulary;
  • apply listening and note-taking strategies to lectures on a variety of academic topics.

Writing and research skills are honed as students produce texts in several important written academic genres and develop speaking ability for presentations, discussions and debates. Students will have the opportunity to delve into the vocabulary and genres associated with their disciplines of study. Academic integrity, along with other academic behaviours, such as time-management, autonomous learning and collaboration, are also taught and practiced.

CEFR Level C1 (What does this mean?)

EAP Level 2 Bridging Program

For students who have been conditionally accepted into certain programs at Dalhousie University, while students are enrolled in EAP Level 2, they are permitted to enroll as a special student at Dalhousie and take one undergraduate credit course at the same time. The credit course must take place outside of EAP 2 class hours. For more information or to enroll in the EAP Level 2 Bridging Program option, please send a message to els@dal.ca and/or indicate this option when registering for EAP 2.

Length: 12 weeks
Tuition Fee (text included): $4900 (CAD)

Course Delivery Method: 

  • 100% online
  • Face-to-face on campus
Term Dates Tuition Fee (text included)
Winter 2024 January 8 to April 4, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Spring/Summer 2024 April 8 to June 27, 2024 $4900 (CAD)
Fall 2024 September 9 to December 5, 2024 $4900 (CAD)

Both delivery methods include shceduled and self-paced content. Learn more about online and face-to-face delivery.

Course Materials: Course texts are included in the fee. They include digital course books as well as supplementary texts, and materials, including authentic materials for listening and reading. Audio-visual and multimedia material, such as videos, audio recordings, and web-based content is also used.

EAP Foundations 1 Summer Special (192 hours over 8 weeks)

CEFR Level A2+ (What does this mean?)

Length: 8 weeks
Tuition Fee (text included): $3300 (CAD)

The class times depend on your choice of online or face-to-face delivery. Learn more about online delivery here. 

Term Dates Tuition Fee (text included)
Spring/Summer 2024 July 8 to August 29, 2024 $3300 (CAD)

EAP Foundations 2 Summer Special (192 hours over 8 weeks)

CEFR Level B1+ (What does this mean?)

Length: 8 weeks
Tuition Fee (text included): $3300 (CAD)

The class times depend on your choice of online or face-to-face delivery. Learn more about online delivery here.

Term Dates Tuition Fee (text included)
Spring/Summer 2024 July 8 to August 29, 2024 $3300 (CAD)

EAP Level 1 Summer Special Course (192 hours over 8 weeks)

Length: 8 weeks
Tuition Fee (text included): $3300 (CAD)

Class Times: The class times depend on your choice of online or face-to-face delivery. Learn more about online delivery here.

Term Dates Tuition Fee (text included)
Spring/Summer 2024 July 8 to August 29, 2024 $3300 (CAD)


EAP 2 Academic Connections
Have you been accepted into your bachelor’s degree program at Dalhousie for September 2023, but do not have a high enough English level? This program will let you start your Dalhousie degree program in September. Study EAP and up to four credit courses from your major. Click here to Learn more.

Please contact els@dal.ca with any questions or if there is any change to your registration in the EAP Program.

Important Details

If you have an IELTS of 6.0 or TOEFL iBT of 80 or Pearson Academic score of 51 or CAEL CE 50, you will be placed directly into EAP Level 2.

A (pdf/jpeg) copy of your test report can be submitted anytime before the first day of class. Any standardized English exam test report is not acceptable once a student has been placed in a level in the EAP Program and the course has begun. 

If you don’t have an IELTS score of 6.0 or above OR a TOEFL score of 80 or above, you must write the Placement Test at Dalhousie to determine which level you will begin in. Registering for the EAP Placement Test takes place when you apply to the EAP Program. 

Applicants to Dalhousie Faculty of Graduate Studies who successfully complete ECLC UAP 500 with 80% or above can enter EAP Level 2 without taking an EAP Placement test.

EAP Level 2 Bridging Program

For students who have been conditionally accepted into certain programs at Dalhousie University, while students are enrolled in EAP Level 2, they are permitted to enroll as a special student at Dalhousie and take one undergraduate credit course at the same time. The credit course must take place outside of EAP 2 class hours. For more information or to enroll in the EAP Level 2 Bridging Program option, please send a message to els@dal.ca and/or indicate this option when registering for EAP 2.

EAP Placement Test Format

The test is approximately 2 hours long and is completed on a computer. There is also a short writing task or a 15-minute interview.

Your test scores and writing will be reviewed by an instructor and you will be placed into one of the 4 levels in the EAP Program. No moving of levels is permitted.

The placement test is very accurate. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this placement test places students into the level that is most appropriate for their current English language skills. However, on rare occasions, if the instructional team has observed that a student’s real skills and abilities do not correspond with the level they have been placed in, they have recommended a level change up or down to the Associated Director. The Associated Director's decision is final.

Once a student has been placed in a level in the EAP Program and the course has begun, they cannot use an IELTS or TOEFL test score to skip a level. The only way a student could use a test score in this way would be to present an IELTS 6.5 (for an undergraduate program) or IELTS 7.0 (for most of the graduate programs) and therefore gain full acceptance into their degree program and no longer have to finish the EAP Program if they choose to do so.

Low Scores

If you take the placement test and your score is too low to enter our lowest-level course (EAP Foundations 1), we will make arrangements for you to study at another language school in Halifax. The Dalhousie University EAP Program does not offer an A1 level course. This doesn’t affect very many students; fewer than 10 students per year find themselves in this situation.

Dalhousie English Test

A special placement test may also be written to gain entrance to Dalhousie University's graduate programs. Can you answer yes to either of the following statements?

  • I have an IELTS or TOEFL test result that is very close to the required score for entrance into my Dalhousie academic program and I think I can do better.
  • I do not have an IELTS or TOEFL test result but I think my English is at the level required by my Dalhousie academic program.

Next Step:

Contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies at graduate.studies@dal.ca or your departmental graduate coordinator to ensure you are eligible to take the test.


For more information about the university’s COVID-19 response around testing, international travel, self-isolation and other topics visit dal.ca/coronavirus.