Bridge Program
About the Bridge Program
The Achievement Academy Bridge Program (AABP) at American University of Sharjah is designed to help students improve their English language skills and prepare for university success so that they can join their major of choice at AUS.
For over 25 years, students from more than 30 countries have thrived in our Achievement Academy Bridge Program. Over 3/4 of students spend just one semester in the Bridge Program before joining their chosen college or school.
When they begin their undergraduate program, students from the Bridge Program not only achieve success in their studies, but also frequently excel in the extracurricular roles they take on.
To join the Bridge Program, please make sure you have applied to AUS and find out more about our entry requirements below.
- What are the entry requirements?
The Achievement Academy Bridge Program is designed for students scoring:
- between 5.0 and 6.0 on the IELTS (Academic Version) or
- between 1100 and 1525 on the EmSAT (Achieve English)
- between 45 and 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
-
between 450 and 547 on the AUS Institutional Paper-based TOEFL (ITP)
Taught by our highly qualified and experienced instructors, our students improve their English language proficiency to achieve success in their university studies.
If a student does not meet these entry requirements or needs intensive English language support, they can enroll in our Outreach Program’s English Language Preparation Contract (ELPC) courses. Please scroll down to the Courses for Prospective AUS students section in the Outreach Program pages for more details.
For more details regarding AUS admissions requirements, please visit www.aus.edu/prospective-students.
- Can students take courses required for their AUS major while enrolled in the AABP?
The core focus of the Bridge Program is to help students improve their English language skills so they can matriculate and move on to undergraduate studies at AUS. To achieve this, students attending the program can take a maximum of five courses each semester, mostly focused on English learning.
Depending on their placement test scores, students can take up to two courses in the College of Arts and Sciences each semester. If successfully completed, these courses may contribute credits to a student’s final undergraduate degree. See below for more details on our courses.
- What courses are on offer?
The Achievement Academy Bridge Program (AABP) offers a range of courses to enhance students’ English language skills and university preparedness.
See the course descriptions below and get in touch if you have any questions.
- Academic Literacy I & II (ELP 111 & ELP 211)
9 hours per week, 0 credit
Enhances the ability to write and read academic English at the intermediate and upper-intermediate levels, while developing strategies to think critically and apply accurate grammar, vocabulary and mechanics. Includes a three-hour lab component to extend students' language development.
- Bridge Program Electives
3 hours per week, 0 credit
Provides an engaging context to develop English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Explores ways to develop grammar and vocabulary while learning about different interest areas. Introduces content-related materials through authentic experiences.
- English for IELTS
- English for Social Media
- English for University Success
- English Through Cinema
- English Through Current Affairs
- English Through Emirati History
- English Through Soccer
- College of Arts and Sciences Courses
3 hours per week, plus lab if applicable, depending on the course. Credits depend on the course.
Click here to read more information about the general education courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in the AUS Undergraduate Catalog.
A maximum of seven credit hours can be taken in one semester/term.
Math
- MTH 001, MTH 002, MTH 003, MTH 100, MTH 102, MTH 103, MTH 111
Physics
- PHY 001, PHY 101
Arabic Heritage
- ARA 101A Introduction to Arabic Heritage I (in Arabic)
- ARA 102A Introduction to Arabic Heritage II (in Arabic)
Statistics
- STA 201 Introduction to Statistics for Engineering and Natural Sciences
Mass Communications
- MCM 101 Digital Video Skills (restricted to BAMC students)
- Communication I & II (ELP 121 & ELP 221)
3 hours per week, 0 credit
Focuses on speaking and listening skills at the intermediate and upper-intermediate levels respectively while developing the ability to participate in discussions, deliver oral presentations and understand spoken English.
Students are exempt from ELP 221 if they submit a listening part score of at least 6.5 IELTS, 20 iBt or 54 ITP to the AUS Testing Center during registration or by the end of the add/drop period.
- Course Fees and Scholarship Information
To view the fees for the Achievement Academy Bridge Program, please visit the tuition and fees page.
Students eligible for a merit scholarship and/or a financial grant may be able to put some of these funds towards their time in the Bridge Program.
Please visit our scholarships page for more information.
- The Exit Test and The Exit Interview
The Bridge Program Exit Test and Exit Interview are available for students who achieve the required English proficiency score while studying in Bridge Program 100-level courses. The tests are scheduled as required. The Achievement Academy Director and/or the Testing Coordinator will communicate test arrangements and results to the student. The Bridge Program Exit Test and/or Exit Interview can only be taken once.
If students do not achieve the required score on the Bridge Program Exit Test or Exit Interview, they must register for ELP 211 and/or ELP 221. Once a student successfully completes one or both of these courses, they can matriculate from the Bridge Program.
Three Key Facts About the Bridge Program
Our Instructors
Our instructors bring decades of experience to the classroom to help students successfully transition to academic life. They are committed to ensuring personalized care and attention for every student in the Achievement Academy throughout the entire semester. Browse their profiles below.
Events and Activities
Every semester, the Achievement Academy engages students through events and activities to enhance their learning experience.
Students in the AABP regularly participate in structured activities that support their English learning and growth, such as attending AUS lectures by AUS professors and alumni on a wide range of topics and participating in workshops and festivals on and off campus.
The AABP team also organizes activities for AABP students. By participating in activities like the Week of Welcome and the Half-Way There Party, students enjoy a wide range of fun extracurricular activities in our program and around the AUS campus that meet their personal interests and passions.
These activities create a space for students to relax and get to know other students.
AUS also has a dynamic Office of Student Experience, which connects students to 100+ student-led clubs, 30+ sports teams and many community service options.
Beyond Bridge: Transition To Undergraduate Studies
Transitioning from the Bridge Program to undergraduate studies at AUS is straightforward, and an AABP advisor guides students through this process.
Once a student has successfully met all of the requirements to matriculate from the Bridge Program, they can continue to their bachelor’s degree of choice and become an AUS undergraduate student the following semester. You can visit this page for a full list of AUS’ application requirements, including English proficiency scores.
In addition to improving their English, Bridge students often say they have improved other essential skills, such as communication, presentations, research, teamwork and time management, all of which have brought them benefits that have lasted well beyond their time in the academy.
Finally, students often credit the Bridge Program with helping them gain the confidence to take on prominent roles in university life alongside and beyond their studies. Some notable positions held by former AABP students within the AUS community and beyond include:
- President of the AUS Student Council
- Recipient of the Chancellor’s Cup
- Research assistant to the Chief Research Officer
- Green Ticket Recipient at the UN Climate Action Summit, New York
- President of the AUS Alumni Association
What Our Students Say
Nour Abu Olwan
Not only did I learn academically, but I also got to know the supportive teachers and classmates in the AABP, who were like a second family to me. Because of this semester, I expect to be able to overcome the challenges in my college life at AUS.
Palestine | Psychology | Spring 2025
Daro Nasralden—Director’s Award winner
A semester in the AABP was a terrific way for me to transition to my major. I feel more prepared for the challenges I will face next semester.
While enjoying my classes, I also met a lot of great people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Kurdistan | Architecture | Fall 2023
Get in Touch
Achievement Academy
American University of Sharjah
Sharjah, UAE
[email protected]
Bridge Program Administrative Assistant
Tel +971 6 515 2653
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