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High School Upgrading FAQs

  • How do I apply and register for high school upgrading courses?
  • Can I talk to someone to discuss my options before applying to Academic Upgrading?
  • Why do I have to take an assessment test?
  • Can I use my transcripts for placement into high school courses?
  • I will be applying but need to know my timetable first.
  • Can I take grade 12 courses without having completed grade 11?
  • What is the difference between GED and the High School diploma?
  • How long it will take to complete my high school diploma?
  • How can I find out which courses I need to take?
  • Can I receive credits towards my High School Diploma based on life experience?
  • I have done my upgrading out of province. I need to know what the equivalent in Alberta for specific course is.
  • Can I challenge grade 10 and 11 courses?
  • Can I challenge grade 12 courses?

How do I apply and register for high school upgrading courses?
Apply online at www.bowvalleycollege.ca/apply or call 403-410-1545 for more information. Submit transcripts for high school courses, successfully completed in Canada within the last five years, or take the Bow Valley College Placement/Admissions test. If you took the assessment, please meet with a student advisor to discuss test results and placement.

Can I talk to someone to discuss my options before applying to Academic Upgrading?
Yes! Please call the Academic Foundations Student Liaison Officer at 403-410-1545 or e-mail upgrading@bowvalleycollege.ca.

Why do I have to take an assessment test?
The results of the placement test will help determine which courses and what level would be the best one for you to start with. Using these results, your placement will increase your chances of being successful in achieving your training goal.

Can I use my transcripts for placement into high school courses?
Yes, if you successfully completed high school courses within the last five years.

I will be applying but I need to know my timetable first.
Traditional courses are offered between 8:00am and 3:15pm, Monday to Friday. Each session is 75 minutes long with a 15minutes break between periods.

Can I take grade 12 courses without having completed grade 11?
Alberta Education high school credit courses are designed to build up on each other and it is required students to have the appropriate pre-requisite with a recommended passing mark in order to succeed at the higher level. You can take grade 12 courses if you have completed the pre-requisite course. Courses have pre-requisites. Grade levels do not.

What is the difference between GED and the High School diploma?
Completing and successfully passing the five General Educational Development (GED) Tests is another method of obtaining a High School Equivalency diploma. The difference between this option and accumulating 100 credits for Alberta High School Diploma is access to post-secondary studies. However, at Bow Valley College there are many certificate and diploma career programs accepting GED Test results to satisfy the admission requirements. More information about GED and Alberta High School Equivalency Diploma options is available here.

How long it will take to complete my high school diploma?
Alberta Education requirements for obtaining 100 credits based High School Equivalency Diploma are outlined here. Time  needed to complete will depend on how many credits you have achieved and what courses you have completed. For most students, writing the GED Tests is the most accessible option for achieving a high school diploma.

How can I find out which courses I need to take?
Mature status students are not required by most post-secondary institutions to have a high school diploma as long as they meet the admission requirements of their chosen career program.

Can I receive credits towards my High School Diploma based on life experience?
Yes. Please refer to Alberta Education website for more information:

I have done my upgrading out of province. I need to know what the equivalent in Alberta for specific course is.
You should speak to an admissions representative about your transcript to find about what will be accepted as equivalent at Bow Valley College.

Can I challenge grade 10 and 11 courses?
Yes. Please contact the Academic Foundations Student Liaison Officer at 403-410-1545 to arrange a challenge exam. Exam challenges for the same course may only be attempted twice.

Can I challenge grade 12 courses?
Yes. Please contact Alberta Education Diploma examination registration, Client Services Help Desk at (780) 427-5318 for more information. Mature students can also challenge diploma exams without taking the course, but should only do so having sufficient skills and knowledge in the subject area and awareness of the specific course content and outcomes.