#96 in the world · QS 2027

University of Alberta

Edmonton's river-valley research university, strong in AI, health and engineering, with five campuses.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Public research university Founded 1908 Official website

See my chances at U of A Admissions office

Students: 46,201; 37,735 undergraduates
International: 19%; of students
Tuition: CA$39,233; From · 2026-27
Founded: 1908

About U of A

Founded in 1908, the University of Alberta is one of Canada's largest research universities, with 46,201 students across five campuses: the main North Campus on the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton (about 38,000 students, 150 buildings over 50 city blocks), South Campus for agricultural research and recreation, Enterprise Square downtown, the French-language Campus Saint-Jean and the small residential Augustana Campus in Camrose. It has 17 faculties and more than 200 undergraduate programs.

U of A is known for health sciences and engineering, and for research such as the Edmonton Protocol for type 1 diabetes, Michael Houghton's Nobel-winning hepatitis C work, and artificial intelligence through the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). Admission is grade-based: each direct-entry program requires five specific Grade 12 subjects (always including English 30-1 or its equivalent), and competitive averages vary by faculty.

The university suits students who want a large research university with easy access to co-op and research, and a city with a huge river-valley park system and long, cold winters. International students get a program-based tuition guarantee, so the total tuition for their degree is fixed at admission.

Quaecumque vera

“Whatsoever things are true” — university motto

Why students choose U of A

International undergraduates receive a tuition guarantee: the annual and total program tuition is fixed in the offer letter for the typical program length plus one year.

The U of A awards about $53 million a year in undergraduate scholarships, including 25 President's International Distinction Scholarships worth up to $120,000 over four years.

Research strengths include the Edmonton Protocol for type 1 diabetes, hepatitis C research led by Nobel laureate Michael Houghton, and AI through Amii.

Beyond the main campus, students can choose the French-language Campus Saint-Jean or the small-class Augustana Campus (average class size 22).

Admissions

Fall 2027 entry

Selectivity

Admission is competitive and program-specific: applicants need five required Grade 12 subjects (or equivalents) and a competitive average for their faculty, which can change during the year. Meeting the average does not guarantee admission.

Testing SAT/ACT not required for US-curriculum applicants; SAT scores may be used to meet subject requirements or if they raise your average. Applicants from unaccredited US schools must present AP or SAT scores.

Typical entry requirements

Canadian high school	Five program-specific Grade 12 subjects, always including English Language Arts 30-1 or the provincial equivalent, with a competitive average
IB Diploma	IB results converted to percentages (7 = 98%, 6 = 90%, 5 = 82%, 4 = 73%); the higher of IB or school grade is used; IB grades of 6+ on eligible exams can earn advanced standing
US high school	Accredited diploma with the five required subjects from grades 10-12; AP counted only as final College Board scores; SAT/ACT not required
English language	IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90 TOEFL iBT 90 with no section below 21 for tests before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 overall with no band below 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; Duolingo 120 with no integrated subscore below 100. Also met by IB English A 5+, AP English 4+ or A-level/GCSE English B/6+. Education and some health programs also require Spoken English proficiency.

Deadlines

Entrance scholarship application Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months

January 10, 2027

Deadline for application-based entrance awards, including the President's International Distinction Scholarship; you must apply for admission first.
Application deadline (most programs) Non-binding In ~5 months

March 1, 2027

Some programs have extended or different deadlines (e.g. Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, Law). Final high school marks self-reported by April 30; high school documents by August 1, 2027.

From the U of A 'Timeline for Fall 2027 Applicants'. Admission offers are made on a rolling basis; offers made before April 1 must be accepted by May 1, 2027. Apply to North Campus residences by April 30, 2027 for a guaranteed spot.

How to apply

Apply online directly to the U of A (application opens October 1, 2026; fee CAD $150). Self-report grades in the application, and complete any program-specific requirements (portfolio, audition, interview, references or written statement) listed in your Launchpad to-do list. Apply separately through the single scholarship application by January 10.

What admissions looks for

The five program-specific Grade 12 subjects (or equivalents), always including English.
A competitive admission average for your chosen faculty and program.
Adequate English language proficiency (and spoken English for some programs; French for Campus Saint-Jean).
Where required, portfolios, auditions, interviews, references or written statements.

Tips for applying to U of A

1 Apply early (from October 1): offers are made on a rolling basis, and scholarship applications close January 10.
2 Check the five required subjects for your exact program; missing a prerequisite rules you out regardless of average.
3 IB students: the U of A uses the higher of your IB score or school grade, and IB 6s can earn university credit.
4 Apply for North Campus residence by April 30, 2027 to secure a guaranteed spot.

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in CAD

Canadian students, first-year general Arts estimate (2026-27); engineering and business course rates are higher Tuition CA$7,200

+ residence and meal plan estimate (single room, eight months) CA$14,800 ≈ CA$22,000 per year

International students starting Fall 2026, guaranteed annual tuition (Arts $39,232.80; Science $39,792; Business $46,546.80; Engineering $49,952.40); rates for the Fall 2027 cohort are 5.5% higher, with larger increases for Computing Science and Nursing Tuition CA$39,233 – CA$49,952

+ residence and meal plan estimate (single room, eight months) CA$14,800 ≈ from CA$54,033 per year

Tuition Residence and meal plan estimate (single room, eight months)

Official cost of attendance CA$25,700

Financial aid

The U of A awards about $53 million a year in undergraduate scholarships and financial support; one in five first-year students receives a scholarship. International students are automatically considered for the International Admission Scholarship (up to $10,000) and can apply by January 10 for awards such as the President's International Distinction Scholarship (25 awards of up to $120,000 over four years).

Tuition $7,200 + books, supplies and fees $3,700 = $10,900
Canadian first-year estimate (Arts, 2026-27): About 1 in 5
First-year students receiving a scholarship: 25 per year, up to $120,000 over 4 years
President's International Distinction Scholarship: $5,000
International tuition deposit

Academics

Academic calendar: Fall and Winter terms plus Spring/Summer

Computing Science

Linked to the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute; U of A graduates include DeepMind's David Silver and Aja Huang, lead developers of AlphaGo.

Engineering

Offers co-op streams (international students keep their tuition guarantee total when branching into co-op) and charges its own engineering course rate.

Medicine and health sciences

Home of the Edmonton Protocol islet-transplant treatment for type 1 diabetes and Nobel-winning hepatitis C research.

Native Studies

A stand-alone Faculty of Native Studies dedicated to Indigenous peoples' knowledge and governance.

Campus Saint-Jean programs

Degrees taught in French in Edmonton, with small average class sizes (20).

Research

The Edmonton Protocol (1999) transformed islet-transplant treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Michael Houghton's hepatitis C research earned a Nobel Prize; the U of A lists 1 Nobel Prize winner.
The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is a Canadian hub for machine learning.
More than 100 institutes and centres and 600+ teaching and research agreements with 80 countries.

Schools & faculties

Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Arts
Alberta School of Business
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Faculty of Native Studies
Faculty of Nursing
Faculty of Science
Augustana Faculty and Campus Saint-Jean

Student life

North Campus sits on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River valley, and much of student life happens around the Students' Union Building and residences within walking distance of classes. The Golden Bears and Pandas have won 103 national titles, the third most in Canada, and the U of A has produced more Academic All-Canadians than any other university. Tuition includes a U-Pass for Edmonton transit, and the PAW Centre has a 60-foot indoor climbing wall.

Golden Bears and Pandas varsity teams in U Sports with 103 national titles.
4,202 Academic All-Canadian athletes, the most in Canada.
270+ study abroad programs in 50+ countries.
U-Pass transit pass and a 60-foot climbing wall at the PAW Centre.

Housing. Residence and a meal plan are estimated at $14,800+ for eight months; applying by April 30, 2027 guarantees a North Campus residence spot.

Location

Edmonton, Alberta's capital, is one of the northernmost major cities in the world, with long cold winters, bright summers and an extensive park system along the North Saskatchewan River valley. The U-Pass included in student fees covers local transit between campus and the rest of the city.

Nearest airport: Edmonton International Airport (YEG)

Notable alumni

RE
Richard E. Taylor

Nobel Prize in Physics 1990
JC
James Collip

Biochemist who helped discover insulin
DS
David Silver

DeepMind principal researcher who led AlphaGo
JB
Joseph B. Martin

Former dean of Harvard Medical School
NF
Nathan Fillion

Actor (Firefly, Castle, The Rookie)
RM
Ray Muzyka

Co-founder of video game studio BioWare
GS
George Stanley

Designer of the Canadian flag
DK
Daryl Katz

Businessman and owner of the Edmonton Oilers

Frequently asked questions

When is the University of Alberta application deadline for fall 2027?

March 1, 2027 for most programs (some health and professional programs differ). Application-based scholarships close January 10, 2027.

How much is University of Alberta tuition for international students?

International students get a fixed annual and total program tuition guarantee. For students starting in fall 2026 the guaranteed annual tuition is $39,232.80 CAD in Arts, $39,792 in Science, $46,546.80 in Business and $49,952.40 in Engineering; the Board has approved a 5.5% increase for the fall 2027 cohort (more for Computing Science and Nursing).

Does the University of Alberta require the SAT?

No. SAT/ACT scores are not required for US-curriculum applicants, though SAT scores can be used to meet subject requirements or raise your average.

What IELTS score does the U of A require?

IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. TOEFL iBT 90 (no section below 21) or Duolingo 120 are also accepted.

Are there scholarships for international students at the U of A?

Yes. You are automatically considered for the International Admission Scholarship (up to $10,000), and you can apply by January 10 for awards like the President's International Distinction Scholarship (up to $120,000 over four years).

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.