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Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
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Future Students

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

The IEP Bridging Program will provide you with knowledge and skills to adapt to the Canadian workplace. It will help you improve your language and professional skills, grow your network and support your career search. We offer two programs: Bridge to Employment Foundation Program and the IEP Professional Certificate Program.

Quick Links

How to Apply to the IEP Bridging Program
Admission Requirements
Information Webinars & Drop-in Sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Applications for the 2026 IEP Bridging Program are now open!

Express your interest now in applying to our IEP Bridging Program. Join our mailing list to stay informed about upcoming intakes, admissions updates, program news and learn more about how to apply.

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Working full-time? Get the flexibility you need with evening and weekend classes

Find and enrol in the credit courses you need to complete your degree requirements

Network with peers and industry insiders to support your job search

Experience diversity with fellow candidates from from over 65 countries

Receive free language training to support your goals and needs

How to Apply to the IEP Bridging Program

Expression of Interest

Submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form to IEP Bridging Program to enter the applicant pool. If you are then identified as eligible to apply, you will be invited to complete the York University Application Form.

Information Package & Checklist

When applying please refer to the applicant information package and checklist prior to submitting your application to ensure you have all necessary documentation required.

Check your Eligibility

To express interest in the IEP 2026 Admission, you should meet the admission requirements of at least one program: Foundation Program and/or Certificate Program.

Important Dates

  • Foundation Program Application Deadline:
    11:59 p.m. June 1, 2026.
  • Decisions will be made around July 13, 2026.
  • The program starts in August 2026.

We are also accepting applications for the Certificate Program (Winter 2027 intake). You may complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered.

Admission Requirements

The Foundation Program enables you to get English language support and customized training. The program helps newcomers prepare for the Canadian workplace, improve their communication skills and transition effectively to the local workplace. We also offer opportunities to expand your network, connect to events and activities to support your job search.

Interested applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

  • Living in Canada 3 years or less is preferred, or no more than 5 years.
  • Have a minimum of a recognized bachelor’s degree in a related Business, IT or HR discipline from a non-Canadian university or institution.
  • Be a Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee or recognized Protected Person (as defined per article 95 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Act S.C. 2001, c. 27) or a Palestinian from the Gaza or West Bank in Canada with required immigration status documentation which includes the code “MOME2023”. 
  • Have related professional work experience outside Canada – typically 3+ years of professional experience preferred; 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 7+ 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 don’t already have a score.

Note:

Refugee claimants, CUAET Visa holders and new Canadian citizens are only eligible to apply to the IEP Certificate Programs – they are not eligible for the Foundation Program due to program funding criteria.

For more information on how to obtain your CLB score, visit the Achēv website or YMCA Language Service.

More information about the CLB test can be found on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website or by reviewing the CLB benchmark guide.

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. 

Admission to the IEP Certificate Program is based on a combination of academic background, language proficiency, and relevant professional experience.

The program offers two admission pathways. After submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), the IEP team will assess each applicant and determine the most appropriate pathway before issuing an invitation to apply through York University Admissions.

Interested applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

Standard Admission Pathway

This pathway is intended for applicants applying directly to the Certificate Program. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Eligibility to Study in Canada
    Applicants must be legally eligible to study in Canada or be able to obtain a valid study permit.
  • Educational Background
    A minimum of a recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Human Resources Management, Business (e.g., management, marketing, finance, accounting, public administration), Information Technology, or a related discipline.
  • Language Proficiency
    Applicants must demonstrate a good command of English by submitting a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test result completed within the past 24 months.
    • A minimum of CLB 6.5 overall is required for consideration
    • Applicants with CLB 7 or higher in all areas (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing) are preferred
  • Professional Experience
    Relevant professional experience in the field is preferred. Applicants with significant and directly related experience will be given priority.
  • Additional Considerations
    Applicants applying through the Standard Admissions Pathway may be eligible for up to two course waivers at the Foundation level, where they have successfully completed equivalent courses at a recognized Canadian university. All waiver requests are subject to review and approval by the program.

Fast-track Admission Pathway

This pathway is designed for current IEP Foundation Program students and graduates who have demonstrated academic readiness and program engagement. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a current or completed IEP Foundation Program student
  • Academic Performance
    Must achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 across Foundation Program courses
  • Educational Background
    A minimum of a recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business (e.g., human resources, management, marketing, finance, accounting, public administration), information technology, or a related discipline.
  • Language Proficiency
    Applicants must demonstrate a good command of English by submitting a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test result completed within the past 24 months.
    • A minimum of CLB 6.5 overall is required for consideration
    • Applicants with CLB 7 or higher in all areas (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing) are preferred
  • Professional Experience
    Relevant professional experience in the field is preferred. Applicants with significant and directly related experience will be given priority.

Learn More

View more information on the Certificates by clicking on the Programs tab above or view the brochures:

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Pre-Application Online Information Webinars

We recommend applicants join our weekly Pre-Application Online Information webinars to find out more and meet the program team. 

In these sessions you will get key information regarding the upcoming admission and how to apply. You will learn more about the admission requirements, program structure, application steps, fees, meet the IEP Team and have your questions answered during the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation.

IEP Bridging Program Information Sessions for Fall 2026 Admission

Date: May 5
Time: 5:30 p.m.

Register Now

Date: May 7
Time: 12:00 p.m.

Register Now

Date: May 12
Time: 5:30 p.m.

Register Now

Date: May 14
Time: 12:00 p.m.

Register Now

Weekly Online Applicant Drop-in Sessions

The IEP Bridging Program Admission team will provide drop-in support sessions on Zoom on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 12 - 1 p.m. EST.  

Providing an opportunity for all applicants to ask questions or clarify your own eligibility, application or documents as you are completing your expression of interest and application.

We will admit participants one-by-one based on arrival so you can have private chats with our staff about your own situation.

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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".

I immigrated with my family, and my expectation was that I would be able to start from where I left off back home, but that didn't happen. Then I found the IEP Bridging Program.

— Kamo Mayilyan, Marketing Stream

Read more about Kamo's story.