How Long Does Academic Upgrading Take? Sample Timelines for Different Goals Posted on February 20, 2026 at 2:03 pm. If you’ve been thinking about applying for Academic Upgrading at Durham College, one of the first questions on your mind is probably: How long is this going to take? It’s a fair question. Many of our students are balancing work, maybe kids, often both. You want to move forward, but you also need to know what you’re signing up for. Here’s the truth: Academic Upgrading takes as long as you need it to take. Some people finish one course in 14 weeks. Others spend a year or more building the foundation they need. In this post, we’ll walk through realistic timelines based on different goals, to help you plan with confidence. Academic Upgrading Timelines at Durham College Academic Upgrading at Durham College offers free Grade 12 equivalent courses for adults 18 and older. These courses are offered in-person at our Oshawa campus and include: ACE Communications ACE Math Biology Chemistry You can take 1 to 4 courses per semester, and the program is considered part-time even if you’re taking a full course load. This flexibility lets you fit school around your life, not the other way around. Each course runs for one 14-week semester, but how many semesters you need depends on your starting point and your goal. Timeline by Goal: What to Expect Goal 1: You Need One Specific Course Timeline: 14 weeks (one semester) Maybe you’re missing just one Grade 12 credit to apply to a college program. Or you need ACE Math to meet admission requirements. What this looks like: Register for the Fall, Winter, or Summer semester Attend classes in-person at Oshawa campus Complete assignments and assessments over 14 weeks Receive your credit at the end of the semester Example: Let’s say you’ve got all the other requirements but need ACE Communications to apply to the Office Administration program. If you took that one course in the Winter semester and finished in April, you could be starting the diploma program in September. Goal 2: You’re Building Confidence Before College Timeline: 14 to 28 weeks (1-2 semesters) Maybe it’s been years since you were in school. You know you want to go to college, but you’re not sure you’re ready. Academic Upgrading helps you build confidence before you start your college program. What this looks like: Start with 1-2 courses to ease back into school Get comfortable with the rhythm of classes, assignments, and studying Add more courses the next semester if you’re ready Move into your college program when you feel prepared Example: Often we see students who haven’t been in school for years, even decades. You can start with one course in your first semester to see how it feels, then take two courses the second semester. Within one year you could have applied to start the program you were looking at and feel well-prepared for it. Sometimes you just need to start small and prove to yourself that you can do it. Goal 3: You Need Multiple Courses for Program Prerequisites Timeline: 28 to 42 weeks (2-3 semesters) Many college programs require specific courses for admission. If you’re missing two or three credits, expect to spend a few semesters completing them. What this looks like: Take 2-3 courses per semester (a manageable pace for most working adults) Space them out based on your schedule and capacity Focus on prerequisites for your target program Apply to college as soon as you meet the requirements Example: You need to complete ACE Math, Biology, and Chemistry for the Nursing program while working around your schedule. You can take ACE Math in the first semester you enroll, then Biology and Chemistry together in the second semester. By the end of those 28 weeks you’ll be ready to apply. Goal 4: You’re Starting From Scratch or Strengthening Multiple Subjects Timeline: 42+ weeks (3+ semesters, or about one year) If you’re building a strong foundation across multiple subjects or starting with lower-level essential skills, you might spend a full year or more in Academic Upgrading. And that’s okay. Don’t think of Academic Upgrading as a backup plan. It’s helping you to build-up to your future goals. What this looks like: Start with Essential Skills training if needed (job-focused basics) Move into ACE-level courses when you’re ready Take your time to really understand the material Build study habits and confidence along the way Example: Take one of our Essential Skills training to work on every day job skills. When the next semester starts and you feel ready, you can take the ACE courses to meet the requirements for the program you want to apply for. Factors That Affect Your Timeline Everyone’s path is different. Here are the main things that will influence how long Academic Upgrading takes for you: How Many Courses You Take Per Semester 1 course: Slower pace, easier to balance with work and family 2-3 courses: The sweet spot for most working adults 4 courses: While still considered part-time, this is a full course load for the semester and requires significant time commitment Your Starting Point If you have some high school credits already, you’ll finish faster If you need foundational skills first, Essential Skills training may come before ACE courses If you took a pre-admission test and scored well, you might skip some courses entirely Your Schedule and Life Commitments Working full-time? You might take fewer courses per semester Managing childcare? Durham College offers limited support for eligible students Flexible schedule? You might be able to take more courses at once Whether You Take Summers Durham College offers Academic Upgrading in Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. If you take courses year-round, you’ll finish faster than if you take summers off. Can You Speed It Up? Maybe. Here’s how: Take the pre-admission test. Before you register for Academic Upgrading, you can take a free pre-admission test at Durham College’s Test Centre. If you score well, you might not need certain courses at all. Learn more about pre-admission testing. Take more courses per semester. If your schedule allows, taking 3-4 courses per semester will move you through faster. Just be honest with yourself about what you can handle. Use summer semesters. Don’t skip summer if you’re in a hurry. It’s another 14-week opportunity to make progress. Common Worries About Timelines “A year feels like forever.” A year goes by whether you’re in school or not. The question is: where do you want to be a year from now? If you start Academic Upgrading this Fall, you could be applying to college programs by next Spring. If you don’t start, you’ll still be wondering “what if” a year from now. “What if I fail a course?” You can retake it. Academic Upgrading is designed to help you succeed, not weed you out. Instructors are there to support you. If you’re struggling, reach out early and get help. “What if I need to take a break?” Life happens. If you need to pause, you can. You’re not locked into a rigid timeline. You can come back when you’re ready. What Happens After You Finish? Once you complete your Academic Upgrading courses, you can: Apply to college programs at Durham College or other Ontario colleges Use your credits as prerequisites for program admission Continue building skills with more courses or training Your Academic Upgrading credits are recognized across Ontario’s college system, so they open doors beyond Durham College too. How to Get Started Ready to map out your own timeline? Here’s what to do next: Step 1: Fill Out The Academic Upgrading Application Visit the application page to get started, even if you’re not fully ready to enrol this is helpful as spaces fill up quickly. Step 2: Complete the Skills Marker Assessment Find out what you already know. This allows us to create a Personalized Learning Plan for you. Step 3: Go Through An Orientation Our staff will follow up with you to schedule a one-on-one orientation to help you complete the registration. Step 4: Show Up Classes are in-person at the Oshawa campus. Bring a notebook, show up, and take it one week at a time. More FAQs About Academic Upgrading Timelines How long is each Academic Upgrading course? Each course runs for 14 weeks (one semester). Courses are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. Can I take Academic Upgrading courses online? The Academic Upgrading courses at Durham College are in-person only at our Oshawa campus. This gives you face-to-face support from instructors and classmates. How many courses should I take at once? Most working adults and parents with busy schedules find 2-3 courses per semester manageable. Start with one if you’re nervous or haven’t been in school for a while. Is Academic Upgrading full-time or part-time? Academic Upgrading is considered part-time, even if you’re taking up to 4 courses per semester. What if I don’t know where to start? Contact the Academic Upgrading team at academicupgrading@durhamcollege.ca. They’ll help you figure out which courses you need based on your goals. Can I get help with childcare or transportation? We offer financial support for eligible Academic Upgrading students. Ask about availability when you register. It’s important to ask about this early as the support available is limited. Will my credits transfer to other colleges? Yes. Academic Upgrading courses at Durham College are recognized across Ontario’s college system. You’re Not Behind. You’re Just Choosing Your Path. Whether Academic Upgrading takes you 14 weeks or 14 months, you’re making progress. You’re choosing to invest in yourself and your future. Ready to invest the time in your future? Take the first step. The rest will follow. Start the application process for Academic Upgrading SHARE:
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