Queen’s has taken another significant step toward attracting international students by offering a summer English language preparation program. QBridge, a three-year pilot program, will welcome its first students in June.

“Because of QBridge, we’re able to make conditional offers to students of high academic standing whose English standard test mark falls just short of the required grade,” says Elaine Armstrong, Director, School of English.

The school is preparing to receive 10 to 16 QBridge students from China, Saudi Arabia, Libya, and other countries, as well as Canadian students whose first language is not English.

The ten-week program is a condensed version of the regular 12-week English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program offered throughout the school year. By adding extra time to each day and inserting tutorial sessions, QBridge provides an excellent option for students who want to begin their studies at Queen’s in September.

It allows them to finish secondary school, meet the English language requirements, and start attending Queen’s all in the same year. In the past, even if they only needed one term of English language study, they would have to delay their studies a full year to get the required training.

“We’re really setting them up to succeed,” says Ms Armstrong. “They’ve already demonstrated high academic potential as proven by their conditional offer, and this is a way to help them come to Queen’s in the year in which they applied and do well once they get here.”

QBridge is an intensive, full immersion program in which students will learn to speak English, write academic style essays and use academic resources. Completing the program prepares students well for university.

“This opens up a whole new sector for Queen’s. I’m thrilled we can now send out conditional acceptances to the best students from around the world,” says Ms Armstrong.

QBridge is one of two such programs in Ontario. The other is offered by the University of Toronto.