Academic Writing Requirement (AWR)

Spring Write-In
More than 100 students attended fall and spring Write-In events to receive advice and support from tutors, AWR instructors, librarians and volunteers.

Strong reading, writing, and research skills are essential to academic success. Regardless of whether you are a native speaker of English or have learned English as an additional language, everyone needs to develop writing and communication skills to meet the expectations of advanced literacy associated with university-level academic studies.

Satisfying the Academic Writing Requirement

As of September 2020, the following requirements came into effect:

  • A score of at least 86% on the B.C. English 12 Provincial Examination, or English 12 First Peoples Provincial Examination, within the three years immediately prior to admission.
  • A final grade of at least 86% in B.C. English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, or an approved equivalent Canadian curriculum grade 12 English course taken within the three years immediately prior to admission.
  • Transfer credit for ATWP 135, ENSH 101 or ENSH 102, ENGR 110 , or AWR-designated level credit.
  • A degree from a recognized English-speaking university.

Options for students who started before May 2020

To ensure that students are prepared to meet these expectations, undergraduate students who enrolled in a degree program before May 2020 must fulfill one of the following two requirements:

  1. Successful completion of a 1.5 unit Academic Writing Requirement-designated course (See below for information on ATWP 135, ENSH 101, ENSH 102, ENGR 110). 
  2. One of the following qualifications: 
    • A score of at least 86% on the BC English 12 Provincial Examination, or English 12 First Peoples Provincial Examination, within the three years immediately prior to admission.
    • A final grade of at least 86% in an approved English 12 equivalent course from other Canadian provinces within the three years immediately prior to admission.
    • 1.5 units of transfer credit for ATWP 135, ENSH 101 or ENSH 102, ENGR 110, or AWR-designated level credit.
    • A degree from a recognized English-speaking university

Which courses should I take to satisfy the AWR?

All students who have been admitted to the university may register in the first-year English course of their choice. The English department offers four courses that satisfy the university's Academic Writing Requirement:

  • ATWP 135 Academic Reading and Writing (1.5 units).
  • ENSH 101 Themes in Literature (1.5 units).
  • ENSH 102 Literature in Action (1.5 units).
  • ENGR 110* Design and Communication I (2.5 units) *For Engineering students only.

To increase their proficiency, students may also benefit from registering in the following preparatory course(s) prior to receiving credit for an AWR-designated course. Note that this does not satisfy the Academic Writing Requirement:

  • ATWP 101 Fundamentals of Academic Literacy (1.5 units).

Which course is right for you?

The course that’s right for you depends on your academic goals and needs. If you’re interested in studying literature, you will want to look at ENSH 101 and ENSH 102 (both of which fulfill the academic writing requirement (AWR). If you’re interested in analyzing academic language, you will want to look at ATWP 135 (which also fulfills the AWR).  And if you think you need review, consider ATWP 101. 

If your program requires 3.0 credits of English, you would normally take any two of the courses that fulfill the Academic Writing Requirement; please check with your own department as to its specific program requirements. If you are unsure which course you may need, you can start by taking the university's voluntary self-placement questionnaire for first-year writing classes.

You may also see our first-year English courses on the Academic Calendar.