Bridge: algebra and functions for first year
Review exponent and log laws, factoring, rational expressions, transformations, inverses and polynomial division before first-year math.
University in Canada
High school to university: courses by province
Each province and territory names its university preparation courses differently. This guide lists the Grade 12 (or CEGEP) courses that science, engineering, business and arts programs most often ask for, with the source we checked for each one (a provincial government page or a university admissions guide), and the flashcard decks that help you get ready.
Admission requirements differ by university and program and change from year to year. Always check the program page of each university.
Ontario
Students earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) at the end of Grade 12. Universities usually base admission on six Grade 12 university (U) or university/college (M) preparation courses, including the specific courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English | ENG4U |
| Advanced functions | Advanced Functions | MHF4U |
| Calculus | Calculus and Vectors | MCV4U |
| Chemistry | Chemistry | SCH4U |
| Physics | Physics | SPH4U |
| Biology | Biology | SBI4U |
Current Ontario high school students apply with the OUAC 101 application; most other applicants use the 105 application. Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U) is accepted by some programs that do not need calculus.
Applications: Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). Source: University of Alberta admissions: Ontario provincial equivalents
Quebec
Quebec high school ends with Secondary V, the eleventh year of school, so there is no Grade 12. Students then complete a college (CEGEP) program and earn a DEC (diplôme d'études collégiales), usually a two-year pre-university program, before entering university.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Science pre-university program | Sciences de la nature (Science) | 200.B1 |
| Computer science and mathematics program | Sciences, informatique et mathématique | 200.C1 |
| Social science program | Sciences humaines (Social Science) | 300.A1 |
Instead of single Grade 12 courses, universities look at the college program and the specific college courses completed, such as calculus, chemistry, physics and biology within the science program. Quebec universities rank college applicants with the R-score (cote R). Students apply directly to each Quebec university; many colleges take applications through regional admission services. Students from outside Quebec, and Quebec students applying elsewhere, should check each university's rules for Secondary V and DEC applicants.
Source: Government of Quebec: pre-university college programs (French)
British Columbia
Students earn the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) after Grades 10 to 12. Universities usually base admission on Grade 12 courses, including the specific courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 | |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus 12 | |
| Calculus | Calculus 12 | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 12 | |
| Physics | Physics 12 | |
| Biology | Anatomy and Physiology 12 |
Foundations of Mathematics 12 is accepted by some programs that do not need calculus, but it usually cannot be counted together with Pre-Calculus 12. EducationPlannerBC lets students apply to any of the province's 25 public post-secondary institutions.
Applications: EducationPlannerBC. Source: University of Alberta admissions: BC and Yukon provincial equivalents
Alberta
Students complete Grade 12 (30-level) courses. In diploma exam courses, the provincial diploma exam counts for 30 percent of the final mark and the school mark for 70 percent.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Language Arts 30-1 | |
| Advanced functions | Mathematics 30-1 | |
| Calculus | Mathematics 31 | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 30 | |
| Physics | Physics 30 | |
| Biology | Biology 30 |
Mathematics 30-2 is accepted by some programs that do not need calculus. Mathematics 31 has no diploma exam. Through ApplyAlberta, students can authorize Alberta Education to send their high school marks to the institutions they apply to; each institution charges its own application fee.
Applications: ApplyAlberta. Source: Government of Alberta: diploma exams overview
Saskatchewan
Students complete Grade 12 (30-level) courses, and universities base admission on the specific 30-level courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Language Arts A30 and B30 | |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus 30 | |
| Calculus | Calculus 30 | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 30 | |
| Physics | Physics 30 | |
| Biology | Biology 30 |
French-language versions exist, such as Mathématiques: précalcul 30, Chimie 30 and Physique 30. Foundations of Mathematics 30 is accepted by some programs but usually not together with Pre-Calculus 30. Students apply directly to each university.
Source: University of Alberta admissions: Saskatchewan provincial equivalents
Manitoba
Students complete Grade 12 courses, most often at the 40S level, and universities base admission on the specific 40S courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Language Arts 40S (Comprehensive, Literary or Transactional Focus) | |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S | |
| Calculus | Introduction to Calculus 45S (optional half credit) | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 40S | |
| Physics | Physics 40S | |
| Biology | Biology 40S |
Applied Mathematics 40S is accepted by some programs that do not need calculus. Calculus is offered through the optional provincial course Introduction to Calculus 45S, and some schools also offer AP Calculus, so check which one each university accepts. Students apply directly to each university.
Source: University of Alberta admissions: Manitoba provincial equivalents
Nova Scotia
Students complete Grade 12 courses, with advanced and academic versions in several subjects. Universities base admission on the specific Grade 12 courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English 12 or Advanced English 12 | |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus 12 | |
| Calculus | Calculus 12 | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 12 or Advanced Chemistry 12 | |
| Physics | Physics 12 or Advanced Physics 12 | |
| Biology | Biology 12 or Advanced Biology 12 |
English 12: African Heritage is also accepted as Grade 12 English. French-language versions exist, such as Précalcul 12 and Calcul 12. Mathematics 12 is accepted by some programs but usually not together with Pre-Calculus 12. Students apply directly to each university.
Source: University of Alberta admissions: Nova Scotia provincial equivalents
New Brunswick
Students complete Grade 12 courses numbered in the 120s in the English sector, and universities base admission on the specific Grade 12 courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Language Arts 121 or 122 | 121 or 122 |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus 120 A and Pre-Calculus 120 B | 120 A and B |
| Calculus | Calculus 120 | 120 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 121 or 122 | 121 or 122 |
| Physics | Physics 121 or 122 | 121 or 122 |
| Biology | Biology 121 or 122 | 121 or 122 |
The francophone sector uses different course numbers, such as Chimie 52411 and Physique 51411. Foundations of Mathematics 120 is accepted by some programs but usually not together with Pre-Calculus 120. Students apply directly to each university.
Source: University of Alberta admissions: New Brunswick provincial equivalents
Newfoundland and Labrador
Students complete level III courses, numbered in the 3000s, in their final year of high school. Universities base admission on the specific level III courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Language Arts 3201 | 3201 |
| Advanced functions | Advanced Mathematics 3200 | 3200 |
| Calculus | Mathematics 3208 | 3208 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 3202 | 3202 |
| Physics | Physics 3204 | 3204 |
| Biology | Biology 3201 | 3201 |
French-language versions exist, such as Mathématiques avancées 3230, Chimie 3232 and Biologie 3231. Academic Mathematics 3201 is accepted by some programs but usually not together with Advanced Mathematics 3200. Students apply directly to each university.
Source: University of Alberta admissions: Newfoundland and Labrador provincial equivalents
Prince Edward Island
Students earn the Provincial High School Diploma, and Grade 12 academic courses are numbered in the 600s. Universities base admission on the specific Grade 12 courses each program requires.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English 621A | |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus 621B | MAT621B |
| Calculus | Calculus 611B | MAT611B |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 12 | CHM621A |
| Physics | Physics 621A | |
| Biology | Biology 621A |
Universities differ in which PEI mathematics courses they accept for each program, so check the program page. Students apply directly to each university.
Source: Memorial University admissions: Prince Edward Island curriculum requirements
Yukon
Yukon follows British Columbia's curriculum and graduation program. English program students earn the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) after Grades 10 to 12.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 | |
| Advanced functions | Pre-Calculus 12 | |
| Calculus | Calculus 12 | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 12 | |
| Physics | Physics 12 | |
| Biology | Anatomy and Physiology 12 |
Universities treat Yukon courses as British Columbia courses. Students apply directly to each university or through the application service of the province where the university is located.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is replacing the Alberta curriculum it used for many years with British Columbia's. Grade 12 begins the draft BC curriculum in 2026-27 and moves to the final version in 2027-28; the last Alberta Grade 12 diploma exams were written in June 2026.
No course list is shown because Grade 12 course names are changing during the transition. Students graduating in 2026 took Alberta 30-level courses, such as Mathematics 30-1 and Chemistry 30; later classes take BC Grade 12 courses. Check with your school and with each university.
Source: Government of the Northwest Territories: JK-12 curriculum renewal
Nunavut
Nunavut follows Alberta's secondary school system while developing its own. Students take Alberta 30-level courses and write Alberta diploma exams in those courses that have them.
| Area | Course | Code |
|---|---|---|
| English | English Language Arts 30-1 | |
| Advanced functions | Mathematics 30-1 | |
| Calculus | Mathematics 31 | |
| Chemistry | Chemistry 30 | |
| Physics | Physics 30 | |
| Biology | Biology 30 |
Some universities also accept Nunavut courses such as Aulajaaqtut and Inuktitut 12 toward admission. Students apply directly to each university or through the application service of the province where the university is located.
Source: Council of Ministers of Education, Canada: Nunavut student transfer guide (PDF)
Bridge decks: close the gaps before September
Bridge: trigonometry for first-year courses
Radians, exact unit circle values, identities, solving trig equations and sinusoidal graphs, reviewed for students starting university math.
Bridge: getting ready for first-year calculus
Limits by intuition, slopes and rates, what a derivative means, and the algebra slips that cost marks in first-year calculus, with examples.
Bridge: chemistry skills for first-year science
Moles, molar mass, significant figures, unit conversions, balancing, naming compounds, gas laws and dilution, reviewed before first-year chemistry.
Bridge: physics skills for first-year science
SI units and prefixes, vectors, the constant acceleration equations, free-body diagrams, forces and energy, reviewed before first-year physics.
Bridge: biology foundations for first year
Cell structure, membranes, macromolecules, genetics vocabulary, cell division and the scientific method, reviewed before first-year biology.
Bridge: academic reading and writing
Thesis statements, reading research articles, summary and paraphrase, academic vocabulary and avoiding plagiarism, for students starting university.
University life in Canada: key terms
Credits, GPA scales, prerequisites, add/drop dates, probation, office hours, TAs, accessibility services and student aid, explained in plain language.
Study skills that work at university
Active recall, spaced repetition, interleaving, Pomodoro, time blocking, note-taking methods and exam preparation for first-year students.