The Bridge Program for International Students

What is The Bridge Program?

The Bridge Program is an intensive, two-year program of university-level study. In this program you will take university transfer (credit) courses and Academic English Skills (non-credit) courses at the same time. The Program is designed to help you succeed at university-level studies and to help you achieve your university goals as quickly as possible, all within a College where over 90% of the students are native English speakers. By studying year-round you can earn 54-60 credits for transfer to year 3 of the accepting university of your choice. This means that you don't lose any time: a four-year university degree can be achieved in four years.

Is The Bridge Program Right for You?

If you have a good academic record, intermediate-level English skills, and are interested in obtaining a university degree, this may be the program you need. With dedication and determination and a desire to become involved in campus life at Corpus Christi College and UBC, you will achieve your goal of academic success.

Academic English Skills Courses

Academic English Skills is a course designed to help you improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for success at the university level. You will learn how to research and write academic essays, how to read textbooks effectively, how to listen and take notes in lectures, how to prepare and deliver oral presentations, and how to succeed at writing tests and exams. Students will progress through the Bridge Program while simultaneously studying University transfer courses for credit. To support and complement classroom learning, Bridge Program students will receive individual counselling and assistance with their learning programs.

Personalized Academic Support

Part of our commitment to helping you succeed involves supporting you academically and personally. Over your entire two-year program at CCC your AES course teacher will be available to assist you with English problems or concerns about any of your other courses. Also, subject instructors at CCC are always willing to give you extra help after class. For assistance with university transfer and academic planning, the Bridge Program Coordinator will be pleased to help you.

Beyond the Classroom

To get the most out of your experience at CCC and to have the greatest opportunity to practice your English skills, you will participate in many social and cultural activities. Bridge Program students are important members of the CCC community and have the opportunity to take part in all aspects of Student Life on the CCC and UBC campuses. In addition to these activities, Bridge Program students are given special opportunities to experience Vancouver’s incredible outdoors and culture. You will visit local museums and attractions, experience Vancouver’s rich heritage, and take advantage of our beautiful natural setting.

Learning Resources

Bridge Program students have the same access to the learning resources available to all CCC students. We offer a College library and bookstore, access to UBC libraries and bookstore, free computer workstations in the College’s library, access to UBC athletic and recreational facilities, as well as the educational resource programs and facilities. We are located just a short walk away from the Student Union Building at UBC, which has food stalls, a movie theatre, a post office and many other student resources.

Admissions Policy

The Corpus Christi College Bridge Program seeks applications from international students who are interested in studying at a post-secondary level in an English-speaking environment. The program is designed to aid English Second Language students in building sound academic and study skills. The Bridge program is intended for intermediate level non-native speakers of English. The program does not meet the needs of students seeking basic English language instruction. Students from all religious, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Admission Requirements

The minimum academic qualifications for admission are:

  1. Successful completion of a high school diploma either from the student's home country or from abroad

  2. A minimum score of 'level 1' on the Bridge Program Language Placement Test

  3. Successful completion of a telephone interview to assess oral language skills

Application Procedure

International students wishing to enroll in the Corpus Christi College Bridge Program will:

  1. Complete an application form

  2. Write the Bridge Program Language Placement Test

  3. Participate in a telephone interview with the Bridge Program director

  4. Pay the $200.00 application fee and the $100.00 examination fee

A College representative, either overseas or in Vancouver, will assist with this procedure. After the completed application package is received at the College, the Bridge Program Director and the Registrar will review the application. If the application is accepted the student will receive an offer of admission, including a study plan that proposes an academic program. If the student accepts the study plan and pays all required tuition fees, the College will issue a letter of acceptance.

Bridge Program Language Placement Test

In order to ensure that students are placed at the right level within the Bridge Program, each applicant will write the Bridge Program Language Placement Test. Initial placement within the Bridge Program is determined by the score achieved on the test.