How to Study in Alberta for International Students
Alberta, one of the states in Canada, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Alberta currently has 17 universities, from which 12 universities are a part of the public sector and 5 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Alberta you should definitely check out are University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge.
Being able to study in Alberta as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Alberta, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Alberta
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Alberta, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 13,700 CAD to 30,400 CAD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 4,902 CAD and 31,300 CAD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Alberta
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Alberta, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Red Deer Polytechnic | 15,000 CAD - 28,000 CAD | |
| Southern Alberta Institute of Technology | 21,300 CAD - 26,600 CAD | |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology | 20,500 CAD - 24,600 CAD | |
| Alberta University of the Arts | 17,100 CAD | 31,300 CAD |
| Bow Valley College | 22,700 CAD - 27,100 CAD | |
| Lethbridge College | 15,100 CAD - 25,600 CAD | |
| University of Alberta | 24,100 CAD | 9,320 CAD |
| University of Calgary | 22,200 CAD - 30,100 CAD | 21,600 CAD |
| University of Lethbridge | 20,300 CAD | 4,902 CAD - 11,500 CAD |
| MacEwan University | 13,700 CAD | |
| Mount Royal University | 23,200 CAD - 24,900 CAD | |
| Athabasca University | 13,700 CAD - 19,800 CAD | 21,200 CAD - 24,000 CAD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Alberta
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Burman University | 15,900 CAD | |
| St. Mary’s University – Canada | 23,800 CAD - 30,400 CAD | |
| Ambrose University | 19,900 CAD | 7,320 CAD |
| Concordia University of Edmonton | 17,500 CAD - 18,400 CAD | 12,900 CAD - 17,000 CAD |
| King’s University | 19,800 CAD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Alberta, check out the Cheap Universities in Alberta!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Alberta for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Alberta, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Alberta, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Alberta may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Alberta are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Alberta and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Red Deer Polytechnic
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 83
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 115
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 80
- IELTS: 6.0
- Duolingo: 115
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 80
- IELTS: 6.0
- Duolingo: 115
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Alberta
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Alberta have online applications available on their websites, like University of Alberta and University of Calgary. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Alberta.
University of Alberta
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
University of Calgary
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of Lethbridge
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Alberta differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Alberta.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Alberta
If you’re going to study in Alberta, you will need to apply for a student visa in Canada
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Canada. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Study Permit .
To start your student visa application in Alberta, you will need to present the following:
- Valid travel document
- Passport-sized photos
- Proof of financial capacity to fund studies and living expenses
- Letter of acceptance from the university
- Medical exam
- Letter of explanation indicating the reason for studying in Canada
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate issued by the government
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Canada is 150 CAD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare the required documents.
- Apply online or by paper. The instructions and other forms are available on the Canadian Government website.
- Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre in your home country.
- Pay the visa processing fee.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Alberta. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!