Strong reading, writing, and research skills are essential to academic success. Regardless of whether you are a native speaker of English or have learned English as an additional language, you will need to develop these skills in order to do well in your university studies.

To ensure that you have an opportunity to develop the advanced literacy skills expected at the university level, all undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program are required to complete a 1.5 unit AWR-designated course. The courses that meet the AWR are ENGL 135, 146, 147, and ENGR 110.

Students can satisfy the requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Successfully complete ENGL 135, 146, 147 or ENGR 110.

2. Have one of the following qualifications:

• a score of at least 86% on the BC English 12 Provincial Examination or English 12 First Peoples Provincial Examination within the three years immediately prior to admission
• a final grade of at least 86% in an approved English 12 equivalent course from other Canadian provinces within the three years immediately prior to admission
• 1.5 units of transfer credit for ENGL 135, 146 or 147, ENGR 110, or AWR-designated level credit. (NOTE: Although ENGL 115 will no longer be offered as of May 2012, previous credit for this course will continue to be accepted.)
• a degree from a recognized English-speaking university

Selecting an AWR-Designated Course

Once you have been admitted to the university, you are free to register in the first year English course of your choice. Students are no longer required to write the Language Proficiency Index or other placement test.

To help ensure that you are taking a course that best matches your level of proficiency, a self-placement questionnaire is available. While the self-placement questionnaire is voluntary, it is recommended that you consider completing it before registering in the course of your choice. It will help you evaluate your likelihood of success in the various courses offered and recommend one or more courses that are best suited to your level of proficiency in written English.

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Descriptions of Available Courses

The university offers the following courses to help students develop strong academic reading, writing, and research skills:

ENGL 099 Developing English Writing Skills (0.0 units)

This non-credit course is intended for students who are still developing fluency and proficiency in written and spoken English (previously equivalent to LPI 3). The course provides students with intensive practice in building well-constructed sentences and paragraphs, while building fluency and preparing students for longer written assignments. This course is normally taken before ENGL 101.

NOTE: This course does not meet the AWR.

ENGL 101 Fundamentals of Academic Literacy (1.5 units)

This credit course helps students build the foundational skills needed to read and write English at the advanced level expected in their academic studies. The course is designed for students who have achieved adequate proficiency in written English (previously LPI 4) but who either require more experience as readers and writers before they attempt the Academic Writing Requirement or require 3.0 units of first-year English as part of their degree program requirements.

NOTE: This course does not meet the AWR and cannot be completed if you have already received credit for ENGL 115, 135, 146, 147 or ENGR 110.

ENGL 135, 146, 147 and ENGR 110 (Designated courses that meet the AWR requirement)

• ENGL 135 Academic Reading and Writing (1.5 units)
• ENGL 146 Introduction to Literary Genres, Themes and Styles (1.5 units)
• ENGL 147 Introduction to Literary Traditions and Transformations (1.5 units)
• ENGR 110 Design and Communication I (2.5 units -- for Engineering students only)

In-class Diagnostic Tests and Final Exam Requirements

If you are registered in an AWR-designated course, you will be provided with an in-class diagnostic writing exercise at the beginning of the term and will be informed within the first week of classes whether you have the level of proficiency needed to pass the course. If your instructor notifies you that you are unlikely to pass the course, he or she will also recommend that you register in ENGL 099 or ENGL 101, depending on your level of proficiency.

Each AWR-designated course also requires that students pass a final exam in order to successfully complete the course. The final exam for each AWR-designated course will be written during the scheduled exam period. If you fail the exam, you will fail the course, regardless of the grade you receive on the rest of the course.

Timeline for Completing the Academic Writing Requirement

To gain the greatest benefit to your degree studies, if you have not yet satisfied the AWR, you are expected to register in a 1.5 unit AWR-designated course as soon as possible. For most students, this will be before the end of the third term of registration or prior to completing 30 units of credit. Please note that many faculties require students to satisfy the AWR before they can declare their degree program with an academic adviser. Transfer students who are admitted to UVic for the first time as third-year students must complete the AWR in their first Winter Session. Nursing and block-transfer students should consult their academic advisers for information about their deadline for completing the requirement.

Current Undergraduate English Requirement (ending April 30, 2012) found here