International students who need further English language training can now enroll in a new educational pathway at Queen’s University. Leveraging the strength of the Queen’s School of English, the university is now able to offer student candidates who fall short of the university’s language requirements a new language training program before progressing to their academic program of study.

Called QBridge, the program is up to one full year of the English for Academic Purposes Program to help students become academically, linguistically and culturally prepared for their studies and is then followed by their four-year bachelor’s degree. After completing a fall and winter session of the language training course, students begin their academic program. 

“We have a lot of students apply who are academically excellent but don’t meet our rigorous language requirements,” says Chris Coupland, Director, International Undergraduate Enrolment. “With the creation of this pathway , Queen’s will become accessible to a greater number of strong international candidates who will get the English language training they need to be successful at university and beyond.“ 

Previously, international students who met Queen’s academic requirements but did not quite meet language standards were offered enrolment in an 8-week summer English immersion program to bolster their skills before classes started. This program, now called QBridge Accelerated, will continue to be offered, while the one-year program will be tailored to students who need greater training and preparation.

Currently, there are two program streams available through the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Initial recruitment for QBridge in the 2015-16 academic year will be limited to 30 students total with potential to grow in subsequent years.

“The expansion of QBridge will allow more international students to receive a Queen’s education,” says Kathy O’Brien, Associate Vice-Principal (International). “The superb language training resources we have on campus provide an essential support to student success and this program allows for a seamless pathway to degree studies for academically qualified students.”

Already up and running, QBridge has begun receiving applications for the coming academic year. 

More information about QBridhe can be found at the School of English's website.