English for Academic Success (EFAS)

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Meet Rifki, a former Renison ELI student who completed the EFAS program to prepare for graduate studies at the University of Waterloo.

English for Academic Success (EFAS) is an intensive full-term English language program offered in 4 levels ranging from low-intermediate (level 100) to advanced (level 400). EFAS level 400 is benchmarked to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a global standard in English language proficiency.

EFAS is designed for:

students interested in meeting the English language requirements of the University of Waterloo
students interested in pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at a university where English is the language of instruction
students from foreign universities looking to study English at an intensive academic level in a Canadian university environment for 12 weeks or up to 1 year

Program information

There are four levels in the EFAS program ranging from low-intermediate (level 100) to advanced (level 400). Students will be placed in a level based on the results of their placement test on the first day of the program. You can check your level using our guide.

Courses are focused on listening, speaking, reading and writing at the academic level. EFAS is offered full-time and part-time to better suit your needs. To ensure high standards, students may take levels 100, 200, and 300 for no more than two terms, but may take level 400 up to three terms.

EFAS offers many unique features:

satisfies English language requirements at University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University
small classes, with a maximum of 20 students per class

professional instruction and individual attention from experienced TESL-certified instructors
optional organized excursions and recreational activities in Ontario
final assessment and achievement report
a certificate from Renison English Language Institute at the University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University English language proficiency requirements

The EFAS program satisfies the University of Waterloo's English Language Requirement for undergraduate programs if students' successfully complete the 400 level with an overall average of 75% (minimum of 75% in each EFAS course) and attend at least 80% of their classes.

The EFAS program satisfies the University of Waterloo's English Language Requirement for graduate programs if students successfully complete the 400 level with an overall average of 75% (minimum of 75% in each EFAS course). Certain departments accept alternative minimum scores and levels of EFAS.

Students who complete level 400 with a pass (overall average of 75%) and attend at least 80% of their classes satisfy the English Proficiency Requirement for Wilfrid Laurier University.

Dates

All students must start on the first day of classes. New students must be present for placement testing and orientation.

Term	Placement testing & orientation	Course dates	Important dates
Winter 2020 Registration closed	January 6 - 7, 2020	January 8 - April 3, 2020	February 17: Family Day holiday (no classes, Renison closed) February 18 - 21: Reading Week (no classes)
Spring 2020 Registration open	April 8 - 9, 2020	April 13 - July 3, 2020	April 10: Good Friday holiday (no classes, Renison closed) May 18: Victoria Day holiday (no classes, Renison closed) July 1: Canada Day holiday (no classes, Renison closed)
Summer 2020 Registration open	July 14 - 17, 2020	July 20 - August 28, 2020	August 3: Civic holiday (no classes)
Fall 2020 Registration open	September 8 - 11, 2020	September 14 - December 11, 2020	October 12: Thanksgiving holiday (no classes, Renison closed) October 13 - 16: Reading Week (no classes)
Winter 2021 Registration open	January 5 - 6, 2021	January 7 - April 1, 2021	February 15: Family Day holiday (no classes, Renison closed) February 16 - 19: Reading Week (no classes)

Sample class schedule

EFAS students receive 20+ hours of classes per week in academic listening, speaking, reading, and writing instruction. Classes include:

Academic Skills
Oral Skills
Writing Skills

Sample schedule of EFAS student

Sample Schedule	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
10:00-11:50	Class 1	Class 1	Class 1	Class 1	--
12:00-13:00	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	--	--
13:10-14:20	Class 2	Class 2	Class 2	--	Class 1
14:30-15:50	Class 3	Class 3	Class 3	--	Class 1
15:50-16:30

Sample schedule of EFAS student

Sample Schedule	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
10:00-11:50	--	Class 1	Class 1	Class 1	--
12:00-13:00	--	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	--
13:10-14:20	Class 2	Class 2	Class 2	Class 2	Class 1
14:30-15:50	Class 3	Class 3	Class 3	--	Class 1
15:50-16:30

Please note, there are many possible EFAS schedules. Classes are scheduled between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday.

Evening IELTS preparation course

EFAS students have the option of taking an evening in-class IELTS preparation course as a supplement to the EFAS program. The course is offered twice a week in the evenings during the Fall, Winter and Spring terms. For more information, visit IELTS preparation course.

Conditional admission

Undergraduate programs at Waterloo

Completion of the EFAS program does not guarantee admission to University of Waterloo undergraduate programs. Admission decisions are made based on competitive academic admission requirements.

Students who complete EFAS level 400 and achieve an overall average of at least 75% (minimum of 75% in each EFAS course) and attend at least 80% of their classes are eligible to apply for direct admission to the University of Waterloo.
Students who complete EFAS level 300 and achieve an overall average of at least 70% and attend at least 80% of their classes may be eligible for conditional admission to the University of Waterloo through the Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program.
Students who complete EFAS level 200 and achieve an overall average of at least 80% may also be eligible for conditional admission to the University of Waterloo through the BASE program.

Graduate programs at Waterloo

Completion of the EFAS program does not guarantee admission to University of Waterloo graduate programs. All admission decisions are made based on competitive academic admission requirements. Decisions are made by the department/program applied to.

The University of Waterloo may offer conditional admission (for a future term) through EFAS to academically admissible applicants who are:

applying under a Government Scholarship program that includes financial coverage for English language studies.
applying to a Master's course-based program.
research master's or doctoral program will be considered on a case by case basis with the support of the program.

Visit the Conditional English language proficiency admission page to see if conditional admission to Graduate programs at Waterloo is possible for you.

Tuition fees and application procedures

Review program tuition fees and payment procedures.
Understand the cancellation and deferral policy.
Complete the online application form.
Pay all necessary application fees and tuition deposits.
Await confirmation through email and your letter of admission from Renison ELI.

University application assistance

Renison ELI prides itself in preparing students for academic studies at one of the world's top 200 universities, the University of Waterloo. Our friendly staff provide advice and support to you in making applications to universities and colleges across Canada and around the world to universities where English is the language of instruction.