Brescia University College offers a co-educational Preliminary Year for students who have a minimum of 23 credits toward the OSSD and have completed the Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC). The majority of courses should be at the academic, advanced, university or university/college level. A minimum average of 70% in an academic program oriented toward university studies is required for admission consideration. Prerequisites for Preliminary Year courses are normally the same as for Grade 12 U or M courses. Students outside Ontario are eligible depending on evaluation of their academic records.

Successful completion of the Preliminary Year requires a pass standing in all five courses. With appropriate prerequisites (where applicable) and the required marks, the Preliminary Year will qualify a student for admission to most first year university programs. Admission decisions are determined by the institutions to which students apply and are based on academic performance.

Students intending to continue their studies at The University of Western Ontario's main campus, must submit an Intent to Register for first year university programs to the appropriate Dean's Office in February for consideration. For first year programs at Brescia, Huron or King's University Colleges, students must contact the appropriate Registrar's Office.

Courses taken in the Preliminary Year will be part of the student's overall academic record. These five courses, however, constitute the basis of admission to university study and do not carry university credit. Students may appeal course marks following the usual procedures (see relevant Academic Rights and Responsibilities Section of the Academic Calendar).