Improve your pre-Grade 10 reading, writing, math, computer, and career exploration skills. Join our small supportive classes or flexible self-paced sessions. For students aged 16 and older.
What you will learn
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Develop fundamental reading and writing skills for home, work, college and community life
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Develop fundamental skills to solve everyday problems with whole numbers, decimal numbers, fractions, ratio and percent
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Build confidence with keyboarding, the Internet, email, and Microsoft Word
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Gain skills for academic success
What to expect
- New ABE Fundamentals English students begin in ENGL 0300: Topics in Fundamental English. New ABE Fundamentals Math students begin in MATH 0300: Topics in Fundamental Math. These courses include skills refreshers, academic goal setting, and referral to appropriate follow-up courses.
- After completing our program, students may wish to enroll in Grade 10 courses in the College and Career Access Department or College Foundations Department.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
Students applying to ABE Fundamentals courses must be:
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able to understand and comfortably speak English
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a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
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age 16 or older
To get permission to register, drop by the ABE Fundamentals Department Office: Wednesdays, 9:30am to 12:00pm (No appointment needed). VCC Broadway Campus, Building A, Room 2713.
Note: The ABE Fundamentals Office is closed every summer from July 1 to the end of August. Please email basiced@vcc.ca or phone 604.871.7369 during this time.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
Recommended Characteristics
ABE Fundamentals courses is suitable for students who:
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are able to work co-operatively in a group or independently in a self-paced classroom
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have not completed Grade 10 or were streamed into an Evergreen certificate
ABE Fundamentals is not an appropriate placement for students who have a strong academic background indicated by post-secondary training at a university or similar academic institution.
Students are referred to the Vancouver Community College program that best meets their educational needs. Students who need more work on oral language skills are normally referred to EAL programs. Students with cognitive disabilities and students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired are normally referred to specialized programs for students with disabilities.
Courses *
English Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 0300 | Topics in Fundamental English | 0 |
| ENGL 0611 | Fundamentals of English 1A | 0 |
| ENGL 0612 | Fundamentals of English 1B | 0 |
| ENGL 0613 | Fundamentals of English 1C | 0 |
| ENGL 0621 | Fundamentals of English 2A | 0 |
| ENGL 0622 | Fundamentals of English 2B | 0 |
| ENGL 0623 | Fundamentals of English 2C | 0 |
| ENGL 0631 | Fundamentals of English 3A | 0 |
| ENGL 0632 | Fundamentals of English 3B | 0 |
| ENGL 0633 | Fundamentals of English 3C | 0 |
| ENGL 0641 | Fundamentals of English 4A | 0 |
| ENGL 0642 | Fundamentals of English 4B | 0 |
| ENGL 0643 | Fundamentals of English 4C | 0 |
| ENGL 0651 | Fundamentals of English 5A | 0 |
| ENGL 0652 | Fundamentals of English 5B | 0 |
| ENGL 0653 | Fundamentals of English 5C | 0 |
| ENGL 0661 | Fundamentals of English 6A | 0 |
| ENGL 0662 | Fundamentals of English 6B | 0 |
| ENGL 0663 | Fundamentals of English 6C | 0 |
Computer Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 0300 | Introduction to Online Learning in Basic Education | 0 |
| COMP 0311 | Computer Literacy Level 1 | 0 |
| COMP 0312 | Computer Literacy Level 2 | 0 |
Career Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLFE 0311 | Career Literacy Foundations | 0 |
Math Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 0300 | Topics in Fundamental Mathematics | 0 |
| MATH 0610 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 1A | 0 |
| MATH 0615 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 1B | 0 |
| MATH 0620 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 2A | 0 |
| MATH 0625 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 2B | 0 |
| MATH 0630 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 3A | 0 |
| MATH 0635 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 3B | 0 |
| MATH 0640 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 4A | 0 |
| MATH 0645 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 4B | 0 |
| MATH 0650 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 5A | 0 |
| MATH 0655 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 5B | 0 |
| MATH 0660 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 6A | 0 |
| MATH 0665 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 6B | 0 |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
These courses are tuition free! The following non-tuition fees apply. The StudentAid BC Adult Upgrading Grant may cover the cost of these fees. See Adult Upgrading Grant application for more information. The total amount of fees depends on the number of courses taken.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 0 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 0 | |
| Student union | 69 | per term |
| College initiative | 9 | per course |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 10 | per course |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 45 |
per months subject to eligibility |
| Graduation | 0 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you a new student interested in taking basic education courses?
Please contact the Adult Basic Education (ABE) Fundamentals department to discuss your options and get permission to register.
To meet with the department, you can:
Option 1: Email the department at basiced@vcc.ca or call 604.871.7369.
Option 2: Drop by the department office (no appointment needed) at
- VCC Broadway Campus, Building A, Room 2713
- Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- NOTE: The ABE Fundamentals office is closed every year from July 1 to the end of August for summer break. Please use email or phone during this time.
Get started