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Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
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Certificate Admission Requirements

The Certificate programs enable newcomers to gain access to IEP Foundation courses, career and language supports as well as taking specialized courses in your professional field to gain a University Qualification in Canadian Business or Information Technology.

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Applications for the 2025 Certificate Programs – Opening Soon!

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Are you new to the country, internationally educated and looking to kick start your career in Canada?

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Application Criteria

Interested applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Permanent Resident or a Convention Refugee or recognized Protected Person (as defined per article 95 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Act S.C. 2001, c. 27), or a Canadian Citizen or a Ukrainian National visiting Under the Emergency Travel measures for Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) with an open work permit and a 900-series SIN; or a Refugee Claimants with an open work permit for the duration of the program and a 900 series SIN;
  • Have a minimum of a recognized non-Canadian bachelor’s degree in business, IT or a related discipline;
  • Have related professional work experience outside Canada - 3+ years professional experience preferred;
  • Currently reside in Ontario and have lived in Canada for three years or less – no more than 5 years; and
  • Have a good command of the English language - proven by submitting a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Test result completed in the past 24 months. Candidates with CLB 8 in all areas in Speaking, Listening, Writing and Reading are preferred. Candidates with a mix of 6-8 CLB scores can apply for consideration. Book a CLB test if you haven't already.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This bridging program has been developed for skilled immigrants who have immigrated to Canada within the last 3 years, with international post-secondary education (minimum of a recognized bachelor’s degree) and professional work experience. Specifically, it focuses on supporting those immigrants who do not have Canadian experience in their field to gain skills, University courses or a qualification and supports to bridge into the labour market.

Internationally educated professionals may face the following barriers when trying to enter the labour force: 

  • Lack of recognition of international education, training, and experience. 
  • Insufficient information about local employment opportunities and requirements. 
  • Lack of professional networks and social in Canada. 
  • Lack of occupation-specific terminology in English; and/or, 
  • Difficulty obtaining Canadian work experience. 

There are several objectives to the bridging program provided by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Included:

Better prepare foreign-educated professionals for their careers through the foundation and specialized skills that fill the gaps.

To convene and collaborate with partners, creating opportunities for skilled immigrants to connect to the local labor market.

To work with key stakeholders, particularly employers, building their awareness and capacity to better integrate skilled immigrants into the workforce.

Generally, the program takes about 1.5 years and is part-time approximately 2 nights per week. Students applying will begin the program by participating in Jumpstart to Success (a pre-qualifying session). Thereafter, we require students take 2 courses per term (4 academic terms). They will start their first academic term taking two foundation courses. As flexibility is a key component of this program, students do have the opportunity to schedule themselves in more than 2 courses per term if they wish, allowing them to 'fast-track'. But we do not recommend that students take less than two courses per term.

It is anticipated that all students admitted to this program have English language skills—both verbal and written to the level of CLB 8. However, there are language support courses offered throughout the Bridging Program for those who require enhancement of their English and to be prepared for the corporate environment students take the foundation course in Canadian Business Communication. All students will be assessed to identify their current ability and determine which class of English training they should attend.

Admission to the Bridging Program includes access to Career services, such as Career Coaching, Job Search and Career Development Workshops.

You are required to provide proof of your CLB level, with a copy of your test results issued within the last 24 months.

Achēv currently offers the CLB-PT Assessment online and in person, you should contact them by phone and request an appointment specifically for a CLB-PT Test. Visit Achēv for a list of locations and their contact details.

The YMCA also does free CLB testing, please contact YMCA at 416-925-5462 or email them at test@YMCAGTA.ORG to add yourself on their CLB testing wait list.

If you are unable to write your CLB Test before the application deadline, while you are waiting for your appointment, we can accept other interim proof of English Language proficiency (e.g. a letter from your most recent English language instructor noting your CLB level) or completion of the Canadian Language Benchmarks Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) .

To discuss if you qualify or if you require more information on admissions, please email your questions with a copy of your resume and degree(s) to IEP@yorku.ca before applying.

The Bridging Program is designed to best suit the needs of NEW immigrants who have been in Canada LESS than 3 years. This is because the objective of the bridging program is to better prepare internationally educated professionals for careers in their respective fields here in Ontario. Nevertheless, those who have been in Canada slightly longer than 3 years and less than 5 years are still welcome to contact us to discuss your eligibility.

For equity purposes, we ask all applicants (regardless of country of origin or language of education) to submit scores in the Canadian Language Benchmark Test. No other test results are necessary for application. We can accept IELST and CLB OSA as interim information during the application process, but do require all students to then set a test date for the CLB PT test, notify us of the date and update us via IEP@yorku.ca when it is completed. Details about CLB test can be found above in the FAQ "How do I make an appointment for a CLB Test".

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