University of Calgary
A 60-year-old research university that bills itself as Canada's entrepreneurial university, with startups to match.
- Students
- 38,000
- 30,000 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CA$30,782
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1966
- QS World Ranking
- #249
- 2027 edition
About UCalgary
The University of Calgary began in 1944 as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta and became an independent university in 1966, when about 4,000 students enrolled. Sixty years later it has grown to more than 38,000 learners, roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate students, across four campuses and 13 faculties offering more than 250 program combinations. Its main campus sits in northwest Calgary near the Bow River.
UCalgary describes itself as Canada's entrepreneurial university: it reports launching 105 startups in the last six years, more than any other Canadian university, and runs the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking and the Creative Destruction Lab Rockies. It is also one of Canada's top five research universities, with research funding from government, industry and non-profits, and it leads in Canadian Space Agency funding. Academic units range from the Schulich School of Engineering and Haskayne School of Business to the Cumming School of Medicine and a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Admission is by direct application and is grade-driven: each program publishes an estimated competitive admission average, from the low 80s for Computer Science to the low 90s for Kinesiology and Psychology (Alberta curriculum, fall 2026 figures). It suits students who want a large, research-heavy university with co-op and startup opportunities in a city where two-thirds of its graduates choose to stay.
Mo Shùile Togam Suas
“I will lift up my eyes” — university motto
Why students choose UCalgary
The university reports launching 105 startups in the last six years, more than any other Canadian university, with the Hunter Hub and Creative Destruction Lab Rockies open to student founders.
Each program publishes an estimated competitive admission average, and you can list two program choices so a strong second choice can catch you if the first is out of reach.
High school applicants who apply for residence by May 1 are guaranteed a first-year room, and 35% of incoming students receive an award in their first year.
The campus is home to the Olympic Oval from the 1988 Winter Olympics, and the Calgary Dinos compete in Canada West (U Sports).
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry
Selectivity
UCalgary does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Admission is competitive by program: each program lists an estimated competitive admission average (for fall 2026, Alberta curriculum: low 80s for Computer Science, mid 80s for Economics and Energy Science, high 80s for Business, low 90s for Kinesiology and Psychology). Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. On-campus Nursing uses a lottery among applicants with at least 82%.
Typical entry requirements
| Alberta high school | Program-specific five courses, e.g. Computer Science: English Language Arts 30-1, Mathematics 30-1, two of Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Mathematics 31 or CTS Computing Science 30, plus one approved course. Estimated competitive averages (fall 2026): low 80s Computer Science, mid 80s Economics, high 80s Business, low 90s Kinesiology |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Assessed on the overall diploma score; estimated competitive scores 27-30 for Business and 33-34 for Computer Science, Kinesiology and Biomedical Sciences |
| GCE A-levels / IGCSE | English, Mathematics and program-specific courses; estimated competitive average high 80s for Business |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 86 IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo 120, or TOEFL iBT 86 for tests taken before 21 January 2026 (4.5 on the new TOEFL scale for tests from 21 January 2026). Nursing and Education require higher scores. Applicants can also meet the requirement through length of study in English. |
Deadlines
- Prestige Award application Non-binding Next deadline · In 56 daysDecember 1, 2026
Separate awards application for incoming high school students; documents due December 15.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents Non-binding In ~5 monthsMarch 1, 2027
Applications open October 1, 2026. Supporting documents and unofficial transcripts due March 15, 2027. Offers dated by April 1 must be accepted by May 1.
- High School Awards and Bursaries application Non-binding In ~5 monthsMarch 1, 2027
One application covers 1,100+ awards worth $500 to $10,000.
- International applicants (study permit required) Non-binding In ~6 monthsApril 1, 2027
Applications for fall 2027 opened August 15, 2026.
Program pages state that fall 2027 applications run October 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027 for domestic applicants and August 15, 2026 to April 1, 2027 for international applicants. The general dates page lists day and month only. Spring Energy Engineering has an earlier February 1 deadline.
How to apply
Apply directly to UCalgary online, choosing up to two programs (first choice is considered first). Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Yukon students apply through ApplyAlberta. Application fee $125 (Canadian education) or $145 (international education). Documents are requested through the Student Centre; some programs need supplements (Bachelor of Health Sciences documents, Dance and Music auditions, Visual Studies portfolio).
What admissions looks for
- An admission average at or above the program's estimated competitive average, calculated from five program-specific approved courses.
- All required courses for the program, such as Mathematics 30-1 and two sciences for Computer Science.
- UCalgary's English language requirement, which is separate from having a grade 12 English course.
- For Prestige Awards, academic excellence plus accomplishments outside the classroom, shown through essay questions.
- Through the Student Access Process, applicants whose access to university has been affected by barriers can ask for an additional holistic review.
Tips for applying to UCalgary
- 1 Use your second program choice strategically: pick a program with a lower competitive average, and you will still be considered for your first choice as new grades arrive.
- 2 Apply early: UCalgary reviews applications each time new grades arrive, and early offers based on grade 11 marks go to a smaller group at higher averages.
- 3 If you want a Prestige Award, apply for admission first, then complete the awards application by December 1; it takes a few hours because of the essay questions.
- 4 Apply for residence by May 1 to secure the first-year residence guarantee for students coming straight from high school.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
UCalgary offers more than $22 million a year in entrance scholarships, awards and bursaries, open to both Canadian and international applicants. Every applicant with an admission average of 95% or higher receives the $5,000 President's Admission Scholarship automatically; Prestige Awards (many renewable) and a single High School Awards and Bursaries application covering 1,100+ awards are also available.
- 35%
- Incoming students receiving an award in first year
- $5,000 for admission averages of 95% or higher
- President's Admission Scholarship
- 1,100+ awards from $500 to $10,000
- High School Awards and Bursaries
Academics
Academic calendar: Fall and Winter terms, plus Spring and Summer terms
Engineering (Schulich School of Engineering)
A common first year of 10 courses, after which students completing all core courses are guaranteed their choice of major, such as Mechanical, Software or Energy Engineering.
Business (Haskayne School of Business)
Estimated competitive average in the high 80s (IB 27-30), with a strong entrepreneurship focus linked to the Hunter Hub.
Kinesiology
One of the most competitive direct-entry programs, with an estimated competitive average in the low 90s; the faculty runs the SHRed concussion-prevention initiative.
Computer Science
Estimated competitive average in the low 80s for Alberta applicants, in the university whose graduates include Java creator James Gosling.
Energy Science (BSc)
A new degree from the university that calls itself Canada's top provider of energy graduates.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Biomedical Sciences)
Offered by the Cumming School of Medicine with a supplemental application on top of a high-80s competitive average.
Research
- Research funding in 2024-25 included $221.0 million from the federal government and $97.1 million from industry, and 47% of research funding comes from non-government sources.
- Calgary Stroke Program researchers published findings from the largest acute stroke clinical trial ever run in Canada, and UCalgary is home to the world's first United Nations University hub focused on water.
- Quantum City's qHub, a 17,400 sq ft space for quantum technology research and adoption, opened in the University Innovation Quarter.
- The Creative Destruction Lab Rockies reports $8.7 billion in equity value and more than 2,700 jobs generated.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Science
- Schulich School of Engineering
- Haskayne School of Business
- Cumming School of Medicine
- Faculty of Kinesiology
- Faculty of Nursing
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Social Work
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Werklund School of Education
- School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
95% of graduates are employed within six months, according to the university's 2026 Community Report.
Student life
UCalgary is a big commuter-and-residence campus in northwest Calgary, with more than 400 clubs, 50 intramural sports and a Students' Union that runs events, a used textbook store and a health and dental plan. First-year students coming straight from high school are guaranteed residence, mostly in the traditional-style Kananaskis and Rundle halls, with a mandatory meal plan at The Landing dining centre. Sport has a strong place: the campus hosts the Olympic Oval from the 1988 Winter Games and the Calgary Dinos play in Canada West.
- More than 400 student clubs and 50 intramural sports.
- The Olympic Oval, built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, is on campus.
- The Calgary Dinos compete in Canada West, part of U Sports.
- About 1,100 international learning experiences are offered each year.
Housing. High school applicants aged 21 or younger who apply for residence by May 1 are guaranteed a first-year room, mostly in Kananaskis and Rundle halls, with a meal plan required.
Location
Calgary is Alberta's largest city, and the university's main campus sits about 10 km northwest of downtown near the Bow River, on land larger than the city's entire downtown core. The university notes that Calgary is Canada's third most culturally diverse city, with more than 165 languages spoken. Alberta's economy shapes the university's strengths in energy, engineering and entrepreneurship, and about two-thirds of graduates stay in Calgary.
Nearest airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Notable alumni
- SH Stephen Harper22nd Prime Minister of Canada; BA and MA in economics
- JG James GoslingCreator of the Java programming language; BSc in computer science
- GC Garrett CampCo-founder of Uber; BSc in electrical engineering (2001)
- RT Robert ThirskCanadian astronaut; BSc in mechanical engineering (1976)
- NN Naheed NenshiThree-term mayor of Calgary and Alberta NDP leader; Bachelor of Commerce (1993)
- CW Chip WilsonFounder of Lululemon Athletica; bachelor's degree in economics (1980)
Frequently asked questions
What average do you need to get into the University of Calgary?
It depends on the program. For fall 2026, estimated competitive averages for Alberta applicants were in the low 80s for Computer Science, mid 80s for Economics, high 80s for Business and low 90s for Kinesiology and Psychology.
What is the University of Calgary application deadline for fall 2027?
March 1, 2027 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents (applications open October 1, 2026) and April 1, 2027 for international applicants (open since August 15, 2026). Prestige Award applications are due December 1, 2026.
How much is UCalgary tuition for international students?
At 2026-27 rates, a full year of 10 courses works out to about $30,782 in most faculties, $36,104 in Business and $41,487 in Engineering, before general fees.
What IELTS score does the University of Calgary require?
IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo 120, or TOEFL iBT 86 for tests taken before 21 January 2026. Nursing and Education require higher scores.
Is residence guaranteed at the University of Calgary?
Yes for students coming directly from high school (21 or younger) who apply for residence by May 1.
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.
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