General Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Return to: Undergraduate Admissions  

The University of Alberta strives to provide an inclusive, respectful, equitable, and supportive environment for students. See University Equity Statement in Student Affairs .

In addition to the general University admission requirements detailed below, Faculties have additional admission requirements for each program. Specific admission requirements are detailed on the Faculty-specific Admission Requirements  pages.

Categories of Undergraduate Admission

Three categories of admission exist for entry into undergraduate degree programs:

1. Matriculated* Applicant-High School Applicant, see High School Applicants.
2. Matriculated* Applicant-Postsecondary Transfer Applicant, see Postsecondary Transfer Applicants.
3. Nonmatriculated Applicant, see Nonmatriculated Applicants.

*Matriculation is the achievement of a minimum level of academic preparation that would allow a prospective student to undertake and successfully complete a particular university degree.

Note: Prospective students with a disability who are seeking admission should consult with the Academic Success Centre.

Application and Registration as an Open Studies Student

For information regarding registration as an Open Studies student, see Open Studies .

High School Applicants

In general, admission to undergraduate programs is based on a minimum average of 70% (on a 50% passing scale) on five high school admission subjects required by the program of study at the Grade 12-level (or equivalent). All five admission subjects must be above the minimum passing grade. Some Faculties may require a higher competitive average, see Faculty-specific Admission Requirements  pages for admission requirements by Faculty.

Admissions Chart 1 Classification of High School Courses Used for Admission

Grade 12 courses listed below are based on the Alberta Education curriculum and nomenclature.

• In addition to English Language Arts 30-1, acceptable Alberta academic Grade 12 courses have been placed in three groups below.
• Prospective students who completed high school education outside Alberta should review the Provincial Admission Course Equivalents for acceptable high school courses in the three categories on the Undergraduate Admissions & Programs website.
• English Language Proficiency is an admission requirement for all Faculties, with the exception of Faculté Saint-Jean which requires French (see English Language Proficiency).
• Faculties may accept other Grade 12 courses not contained in these three groups. Please see Faculty-specific admission requirements  for each program of study for further information.
• Only 5-credit courses will be used for admission purposes.
• If Final Grade 12 marks are not available at the time when an admission decision is made, marks from Final Grade 11 or Interim Grade 12 prerequisites to the following courses may be used.

Notes

1. Applicants wishing to present either a 35-level Language or a language other than one of those presented at the Grade 12 level in Alberta should contact the Admissions Unit, Office of the Registrar.
2. Equivalents of Music 30: Conservatory Canada, Grade 8 Practical and Grade IV Theory; Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, Grade 8 Practical, Grade II Theory, Mount Royal University, Grade 8 Practical and Grade II Theory. Documents must be presented to Alberta Education for evaluation.
3. Mathematics 30-2 will be accepted as a Group C admission subject to some programs. For further information, please see the Faculty-specific admission requirements  for each program of study.
4. If Final Grade 12 marks are not available at the time when an admission decision is made, marks from Final Grade 11 or Interim Grade 12 prerequisites to the following courses may be used.

Applicants from High Schools outside of Alberta

Applicants from another province or territory in Canada who have successfully completed work at the level shown below are considered for admission to the University of Alberta, subject to Faculty requirements as outlined in preceding sections.

Applicants who do not possess these requirements may clear deficiencies by completing appropriate Alberta Grade 12 subjects or equivalents.

British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova
Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Grade 12

Ontario

Grade 12 or OAC level

Quebec

Successful completion of the first year of the CEGEP academic program with satisfactory performance in appropriate subjects.

For information on provincial equivalents of Alberta Grade 12 courses, please visit Undergraduate Admissions & Programs or contact the Student Service Centre. See Inquiries  for Student Service Centre contact information.

Applicants from High Schools outside of Canada

For admission information on undergraduate programs, applicants can visit the Undergraduate Programs website or contact the Student Service Centre. See Inquiries  for Student Service Centre contact information.

For information on graduate programs, applicants should contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Killam Centre for Advanced Studies, 2-29 Triffo Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1.

Admission from a British-Patterned System

Applicants must present their General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination results or their equivalents.

The minimum requirement for admission is superior standing in the three specific Faculty and program course requirements (see GCE Subject Requirements by Faculty), at the GCE Advanced Level (A-level).

Final admission is based on the official predicted or achieved results in required Advanced Level (A-level) subjects.

Transfer credit may be considered for some courses at the Advanced Level (A-level) with a final grade of A or B. Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-level) courses will not be considered for transfer credit.

Note: Final and official General Certificate of Education (GCE) certificates are required in all cases.

For more details, visit GCE British Curriculum | Undergraduate Admissions & Programs.

Admission from the United States and other countries and schools that offer American-patterned curricula

Admission is based on superior standing in the five specific Faculty and program course requirements (see Faculty-specific Admission Requirements ). Applicants from the United States and other countries that offer American-patterned curricula accredited by a recognized accreditor may be considered for admission to the University if they meet the following requirements:

1. The required English course has been met by presenting High School Grade 12 (or equivalent) course marks, and
2. All required courses from Group A (Humanities/Social Sciences), Group B (Fine Arts), and Group C (Mathematics/Sciences) have been met by presenting High School (the final three years) course marks.

An acceptable score from International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), or SAT exams may be used to meet a course requirement. Presentation of these exam results is optional.

Applicants from unaccredited US-patterned high schools who wish to apply using a high school course mark must also meet the SAT or ACT requirement as follows:

1. SAT: minimum combined score of 1800 with a minimum of 600 on each section (or Redesigned SAT: minimum combined score of 1200 with a minimum of 600 on each section)
2. ACT: minimum composite score of 26

See Admissions Chart 3 for required courses from Groups A, B and C.

For more details, visit International Course Equivalencies | Undergraduate Admissions & Programs.

Postsecondary Transfer Applicants

Admission of postsecondary transfer applicants is generally based on both high school admission requirements and academic performance in postsecondary coursework, transferable to the University of Alberta (See Admissions Chart 3 below for details). However, some Faculties have additional program specific requirements; applicants should also consult specific Faculty and program admission requirements in Faculty-specific Admission Requirements  for further information.

This section also applies to applicants transferring from one Faculty or program to another at the University of Alberta.

Admission is competitive.

Admissions Chart 3 Substitution of High School-Level Course Requirements

Admissions Chart 3 sets out the transferable postsecondary credit which will be substituted in cases where applicants do not present, for the programs to which applications are being made, the appropriate High School-level courses based on the Alberta Education curriculum. Prospective students who completed high school education from outside Alberta should review the Provincial Admission Course Equivalents for acceptable high school courses in the three categories on the Undergraduate Admissions & Programs website. Only 5-credit courses will be used for admission purposes.

Admission Criteria for Transfer Applicants

Notwithstanding the following information, admission to the University of Alberta is competitive. Many programs may require a higher minimum admission average than that specified below.

1. Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) Calculation: The AGPA is calculated on all university transferable coursework completed in the most recent two terms of study if they contain a minimum of 24 units of course weight. If those two terms contain less than 24 units of course weight, all work in the next most recent term(s) is included in the calculation until the minimum total of 24 units of course weight is reached. Fall/Winter courses are considered Winter courses in these calculations. For applicants who have attempted less than 24 units of transferable postsecondary work, the AGPA is based on all university or university transfer credits attempted.
   
   AGPA calculation for applicants who have repeated courses:
   1. For applicants who have only attended the University of Alberta, all coursework completed in the most recent 24 units will be used in the AGPA calculation.
   2. For applicants who have ever attended another post-secondary institution and who have more than one passing grade for the same course at any institution outside of the University of Alberta, only the first passing grade is used in the AGPA calculation.
   3. For all applicants to undergraduate programs in the faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Law, only the first passing grade is used in calculating the AGPA when an applicant has more than one passing grade for the same course at any institution.
2. Applicants who have met the appropriate minimum matriculation requirements on first admission to another postsecondary institution will be considered for admission to the University of Alberta, if they
   1. present an admission grade point average (AGPA) of at least 2.0;
   2. meet all other admission criteria (i.e., specific program admission requirements, English Language Proficiency, audition, portfolio, questionnaire, references, etc.).
3. Students seeking admission who had not taken all five required Grade 12 subjects on first admission to another postsecondary program will be considered for admission to the University if they
   1. have successfully completed, through further high school or university transfer work, the five required matriculation subject areas specified for admission to the particular degree program to which the student has applied;
   2. present the appropriate minimum application average on all five subjects specified for admission;
   3. meet all other admission criteria (i.e., specific program admission requirements, English Language Proficiency, audition, portfolio, questionnaire, references, etc.).
4. Students seeking admission who have not met the appropriate minimum application average on first admission to another postsecondary program will be considered for admission to the University of Alberta if they
   1. have successfully completed at least 24 units of course weight transferable to the University of Alberta;
   2. present an AGPA of at least 2.0;
   3. meet all other admission criteria (i.e., specific program admission requirements, English Language Proficiency, audition, portfolio, questionnaire, references, etc.).
5. To be considered for readmission, an applicant who has been required to withdraw from the University of Alberta must
   1. if the student is seeking readmission to the same Faculty, meet all conditions set by the Faculty at the time of the requirement to withdraw; or
   2. if the student is seeking readmission to another Faculty, in general, present 18 units of course weight transferable to the University with an AGPA of at least 2.7 or 24 units of course weight transferable to the University with an AGPA of at least 2.0 on work done after being required to withdraw and meet all other admission or readmission criteria (i.e., specific program admission requirements, English Language Proficiency, audition, portfolio, questionnaire, references, etc.). Specific Faculty and program admission requirements may vary. Consult Faculty-specific Admission Requirements  for the Faculty that you are applying to.
6. To be considered for admission or readmission, an applicant who has been required to withdraw from another postsecondary institution must
   1. have successfully completed, through high school or university transfer coursework, the five required matriculation subject areas specified for admission to the particular degree program to which the student has applied;
   2. subsequent to having been required to withdraw, have successfully completed at least 24 units of course weight transferable to the University;
   3. present an AGPA of at least 2.0;
   4. meet all other admission or readmission criteria (i.e., specific program admission requirements, English Language Proficiency, audition, portfolio, questionnaire, references, etc.).

Transfer of Credit

Transfer credit may be granted to admitted applicants who have completed one or more University level course(s) at another recognized postsecondary institution. Transfer credit reduces the number of courses a student is required to take to qualify for a degree at the University of Alberta. The amount of transfer credit granted depends on how applicable the previous coursework is to the particular degree program to which the student has been admitted.

A maximum of 60 units of course weight (credits) or its equivalent (e.g., 10 full courses or 20 half courses) from previously attended postsecondary institution(s) may be granted toward a University of Alberta undergraduate degree program.

Also, some Faculties have placed a limit on the number courses for which transfer credit may be granted. Prospective students should consult the Faculty program sections of the Calendar or a Faculty advisor for further details.

Some postsecondary institutions within Alberta have approved university transfer programs that provide courses for transfer. The online Alberta Transfer Guide provides information on previously approved transferable courses and programs between many of the Alberta postsecondary institutions and the University of Alberta. In addition to those transfer agreements in the transfer guide, a course offered for credit by another research-intensive university within Alberta (University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, and Athabasca University) shall be granted credit, subject to meeting minimum grade and program requirements. Consequently, the transfer equivalents are not listed in the Alberta Transfer Guide. For postsecondary institutions outside of Alberta and within Canada, the University of Alberta will normally grant transfer credit for those courses that are presented in the appropriate provincial transfer guides as transferable to the research-intensive universities within that province, subject to meeting grade and program requirements.

Notes

1. Transfer credit will be granted for 100-level language courses (or equivalent) that have been successfully completed, except where a high school (Grade 12 level) course in the same language has also been successfully completed.
2. Transfer credit will be granted for each course transferable to the University of Alberta if the grade achieved is at least a C- (or its equivalent) and the course is applicable to the specific program to which the student has been admitted.
3. Among all research-intensive universities, transfer credit is assessed on an individual course-by-course basis.
4. The Alberta Transfer Guide explains the nature and the detail of transfer credit agreements among various postsecondary institutions in Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon. It is available online at Transfer Alberta.
5. Once transfer credit has been granted toward a student’s program, any subsequent change of program will result in the reassessment of all previously granted transfer credit for applicability to the new degree program.

Additional transfer information may be found under Transfer Students on the Undergraduate Admissions & Programs website.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement may be granted to applicants who have taken the equivalent of university courses in some other manner. This excuses them from taking the corresponding university courses, but other courses must be taken instead. Thus, students who have been granted advanced placement will not have the length of their program reduced.

If applicants feel they may be eligible for either transfer credit or advanced placement, they should ensure that the application is submitted well in advance of the deadlines given in Undergraduate Application Process and Deadlines . The University reserves the right to require applicants for transfer credit or advanced placement to write examinations at any level including that of matriculation.

Credit by Special Assessment

Some Faculties allow students to seek credit in certain specified courses without actually registering in and taking courses, if they can demonstrate an acceptable level of mastery of the course content. The procedure whereby a student seeks credit in a course by this nontraditional route is known as Credit by Special Assessment.

Faculties, in consultation with departments, will determine which, if any, of their courses may be attempted by special assessment and the conditions that a student must satisfy to have an application approved. In particular, students in any Faculty who wish to apply for credit by special assessment in a language course offered within the Faculty of Arts should consult Credit by Special Assessment .

The privilege of seeking credit in a course by special assessment is limited to students admitted to the University. Students wishing to receive credit in courses this way should report to their Faculty Office to be apprised of Faculty regulations and deadlines for submission of applications.

All grades obtained in attempts by special assessment, including failing grades, will be recorded on students’ transcripts and computed into their student record in accordance with the policies of the students’ Faculties.

Please refer to Tuition and Fees  for fee information.

Admission of Indigenous Applicants

General Statement

The University of Alberta is committed to the recruitment, retention and graduation of Indigenous students. The University also recognizes that Indigenous applicants have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education and strives towards having the University’s Indigenous student population attain a level that is at least proportionate to the Indigenous population of the province. All Indigenous students are encouraged to self-identify. In order to facilitate appropriate representation of Indigenous students on campus, additional qualified applicants may be considered over and above the Indigenous students who are admitted in the regular competition for places in a Faculty. Indigenous applicants who wish to be considered for such additional places must attain the minimum admission requirements of their chosen program as prescribed by the University and its Faculties and programs. To assist the University in achieving this overall goal, Faculties are encouraged to set aside places specifically for Indigenous applicants, the number being consistent with the available pool, student interests, and available teaching and learning support services.

Definition of Indigenous People for the Purpose of Admission

1. Definition of an Indigenous Applicant: For the purpose of application and admission to the University of Alberta, and consistent with the Constitution Act, 1982, Part II, Section 35(2), an Indigenous applicant is an Indian, Inuit, or Métis person of Canada.
2. Formal Documentation of Indigeneity: Indigenous applicants who wish to be considered for admissions, awards, and financial support reserved for Indigenous students will be required to provide documentation of Canadian Indigeneity. Documentation will be verified by one of:
   1. The Faculty to which the student is applying for admission that is reserved for Indigenous students.
   2. The Office of the Registrar, for the purpose of scholarships, awards, and financial support dedicated to Indigenous peoples.

A list of the formal documentation of Indigeneity that students/applicants will need to present is prepared annually by the Committee on the Documentation of Indigeneity (CDI) and can be found on the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Awards website. Students who have questions regarding these documents are encouraged to contact their Faculty or the Office of the Registrar.

Indigenous applicants must be aware that providing documentation of Indigeneity does not guarantee admission to any program. All positions at the University are competitive and admission committees will make their selections from among the best qualified candidates. Candidates may also be required to demonstrate their connection to an Indigenous community.

3. Residence:
   1. Regarding Application: Residence regulations affecting application to any program at this University shall be waived for Indigenous applicants.
   2. Regarding Admission: For the purpose of determining admission to a program, an Indigenous applicant who is not resident in Alberta will be considered in the following categories and in the order specified:
      1. First, as a candidate for the positions reserved for out-of-province applicants.
      2. Second, as a candidate for the positions reserved for Alberta residents. Residence regulations shall be waived for this purpose.
      3. Third, as a candidate for positions set aside specifically for Indigenous applicants. Preference for these positions may be given to those who are resident in Alberta.

Transition Year Program for Indigenous Applicants

The University of Alberta encourages Indigenous students to apply for entrance to its degree programs through the normal admission categories as detailed in Faculty-specific Admission Requirements . Prospective students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible for admission by successfully completing a Transition Year Program.

First Peoples’ House, in conjunction with several Faculties, administers the Transition Year Program. These separate streams give Indigenous students the opportunity to excel in the academic courses within their chosen Faculty and assist them to integrate into the campus community. Students admitted to a Transition Year Program will take a combination of degree credit courses and tutorial, support classes.

Admission into a degree program via this particular route is a two-step process. Applicants must first be admitted into a Transition Year Program, perform satisfactorily on all courses during the program, and then apply the following year for admission to the degree program. The admission requirements follow.

For more information about the First Peoples’ House Transition Year Program, visit uab.ca/FPH.

Transition Year Program Admission and Completion Requirements

• Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences  
• Faculty of Arts  
• Faculty of Business  
• Faculty of Education  
• Faculty of Engineering  
• Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation  
• Faculty of Native Studies  
• Faculty of Nursing  
• Faculty of Science  

Nonmatriculated Applicants

The University of Alberta gives special consideration to nonmatriculated applicants for admission to some undergraduate programs. To be considered for admission as a nonmatriculated applicant, an applicant must be 21 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term in which admission is sought. Specific Faculty requirements for those Faculties that do consider nonmatriculated applicants for admission are outlined in Faculty-specific Admission Requirements .

Nonmatriculated applicants must normally complete specific Grade 12 courses (or equivalents) appropriate to each Faculty with a minimum passing grade in each required course and a minimum overall average of 70% (on a 50% passing scale). There is a limit on the number of nonmatriculated applicants admitted into each program; there is no guarantee that candidates meeting the minimum criteria will be admitted. Applicants are considered based on their academic merit and interview results where applicable. Notwithstanding the basis of admission, all applicants, once admitted, have the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities.

The application deadlines for nonmatriculated applicants are the same as for high school applicants (see admission deadlines).

First- and Second-Year Students with GPAs of 1.3 to 1.6: Admission to Fresh Start Program

To be considered for admission to the Fresh Start Program, the applicant must

1. present a Grade Point Average of between 1.3 and 1.6;
2. have not been previously required to withdraw from any postsecondary institution; and
3. be recommended for admission by the Faculty in which they were registered in the preceding year.

Foundation Program

The University of Alberta encourages international students to apply for entrance to its degree programs through the normal admission categories as detailed on the Faculty-specific Admission Requirements  pages. Prospective international students who do not fully meet these requirements may be eligible for participation in the Foundation Program under Open Studies.

In order to be admitted into a degree program via the Foundation Program, students must first be admitted into the Foundation Program and complete all Foundation Program requirements satisfactorily. Students who meet the relevant admission requirements based on the Faculty-specific Admission Requirements , and whose performance in courses and other requirements taken through the Foundation Program meets identified standards, may be admitted to the degree program. All admission requirements and performance standards will normally be identified to the student upon commencing the Foundation Program.

Students entering the Foundation Program identify a program to which they intend to apply for admission after completing the Foundation Program, and are assessed tuition and fees on the basis of their target destination program.

Admission to the Foundation Program

General Requirements

1. International status
2. Students must meet the admission requirements for their target destination program, subject to addressing specific identified deficiencies related to required courses, English language proficiency, and/or admission average, where identified deficiencies can reasonably be addressed within the Foundation Program.

Language Proficiency Requirements

English Language Proficiency

English is the primary language of instruction and assessment in all Faculties except Faculté Saint-Jean. All undergraduate applicants to any program or course except Faculté Saint-Jean need an adequate level of English language proficiency before admission, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin.

The University of Alberta reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of language proficiency to ensure success in academic programs. In some cases, additional English language testing, conducted by the Faculty of Education, may be required to confirm English proficiency.

Proficiency in English may be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

1. Successful completion of three years of full-time education in English
   1. In Canada (see Notes 1, 2, 3 and 8).
   2. In another country where English is recognized as an official language of instruction (see Notes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8).
   3. At a recognized secondary school which uses English as the primary language of instruction (see Notes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8).
   4. At a recognized postsecondary institution which uses English as the primary language of instruction (see Notes 1, 2, 3, and 5).
2. Successful completion of the equivalent of three years of full-time instruction in a school/institution in Canada in which the major language of instruction is other than English, but where the level of English proficiency required for graduation is equivalent to that in English language schools/institutions in Canada.
3. Completion of one of the following:
   1. A final blended grade of 75% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 from Alberta or English 12 from British Columbia. The blended grade is the final mark from the provincial Ministry of Education which includes the diploma or provincial examination mark (See Note 9);
   2. A final or predicted grade of 5 or better on the International Baccalaureate English A1, A2, or a grade of 6 or better on English B;
   3. A final or predicted grade of 5 or better on the International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or English A: Language and Literature;
   4. A grade of 4 or better on the Advanced Placement English College Board examination;
   5. A grade of B or better in a GCE Advanced Level (A-level) or Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-level), GCSE, IGCSE or O-level English Language or Literature course; or
   6. A grade of B+ or better in 6 units of course weight of university-level English studies completed at a recognized English language institution which must be transferable as 6 units of course weight of English at the University of Alberta.
4. Graduation from a recognized degree program offered by an accredited university at which English is the primary language of instruction or in a country where English is the primary language (see Note 5).
5. A score on the TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-based) as follows:
   1. For tests written before January 21, 2026: At least 90 with no less than 21 on each band (see Note 4).
   2. For tests written on or after January 21, 2026: At least 4.5 with no less than 4.5 on each band (see Note 4).
6. A score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) with no band less than 6.0 (see Note 4).
7. A score of at least 70 on the Canadian Academic English Language assessment: CAEL (paper) or CAEL CE (computer) with no band less than 60 (see Note 4).
8. A score of at least 61 on the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) with no less than 60 in each communicative skill (see Note 4).
9. An overall Cambridge English scale score of at least 180 on the C1 Advanced (formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English) with no less than 170 in each skill (see Note 4).
10. An overall Cambridge English scale score of at least 180 on the C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English) with no less than 170 in each skill (see Note 4).
11. Successful completion of the University of Alberta’s EAP 136 /INT D 137 .

For more details on meeting English Language Proficiency please visit the Undergraduate Admissions - Language Requirements webpage.

Bridging Program

Applicants with superior academic standing who meet all other Faculty specific program requirements but do not meet the English language requirements may be considered for admission to the Bridging Program with the following scores:

• A score of at least 5.5 on the IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) with no band less than 5.0 (see Note 4).
• Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) as follows:
  • For tests written before January 21, 2026: At least 53, with no score less than 14 on any band (see Note 4).
  • For tests written on or after January 21, 2026: At least 3.5, with no band less than 3 (see Note 4).

For more information, students should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Notes

1. Enrolment in English as a second language courses or programs will not be included in the calculation of three years of full time study. Enrolment must be in a regular high school or postsecondary for-credit program. Where students are registered in both EAP and regular programs, the EAP hours will be deducted from the total educational hours.
2. Proof of three years of education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts (including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction).
3. Failing grades/courses will not be counted when calculating full time attendance. Only courses with passing grades will be considered.
4. Standardized test results must be issued directly from the testing office. Photocopies will not be accepted. Test scores must be valid and verifiable.
5. For a list of countries and institutions that are recognized as having met the University of Alberta’s English language proficiency requirement, visit ELP Exemption on our Undergraduate Admissions & Programs website.
6. When requesting official TOEFL test results to be forwarded to the University of Alberta, applicants should indicate institution code 0963 and department code 00.
7. Applicants who are asked to provide English Language Proficiency and who can demonstrate by other means that their proficiency exceeds the specified minimum levels, should direct inquiries to the Assistant Registrar, Admissions, Office of the Registrar.
8. The three years of full-time education in English must include Alberta grade 12 year (or equivalent) if secondary education is the highest level completed or if combination of secondary and postsecondary education is used.
9. Applicants who completed English 12 without writing a provincial diploma exam in British Columbia (after 2019) must fulfill the English proficiency requirement by one of the other methods listed.

Spoken English Proficiency

Besides demonstrating overall English language proficiency, applicants to the teaching and health sciences disciplines need a further level of spoken English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. The University of Alberta reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of spoken English language proficiency. To determine whether or not proof of spoken English proficiency is required, applicants should verify specific admission requirements for the intended program(s). See Faculty-specific Admission Requirements .

Spoken English proficiency may be shown in any of the following ways:

1. Six full years of education in English in Canada or the equivalent in another country where English is the principal language. Education must include the Alberta Grade 12 (or equivalent), if secondary education is the highest level completed or if combination of secondary and postsecondary education is used.
2. Successful completion of the equivalent of six years of full-time instruction in a school/institution in Canada in which the major language of instruction is other than English, but where the level of English proficiency required for graduation is equivalent to that in English language schools/institutions in Canada (see Notes 1, 2, 3 and 5).
3. A minimum speaking score of 7.5 on the IELTS test or a minimum speaking score on the TOEFL iBT test as follows (see Note 4):
   1. For tests written before January 21, 2026: speaking score of 26 points
   2. For tests written on or after January 21, 2026: speaking score of 5

Notes

1. Enrolment in English as a second language courses or programs will not be included in the calculation of six years of full time study. Enrolment must be in a regular high school or postsecondary for-credit program. Where students are registered in both EAP and regular programs, the EAP hours will be deducted from the total educational hours.
2. Proof of six years of education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts (including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction)
3. Failing grades/courses will not be counted when calculating full time attendance. Only courses with passing grades will be considered.
4. Standardized test results must be issued directly from the testing office. Photocopies will not be accepted. Test scores must be valid and verifiable.
5. For a list of countries and institutions that are recognized as having met University of Alberta’s English language proficiency requirement, visit our ELP Exemption on our Undergraduate Admissions & Programs website.

Exceptions

Faculté Saint-Jean

French is the primary language of instruction and assessment in the Faculté Saint-Jean. All applicants to the Faculté must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken French, as outlined in French Language Proficiency .

With the exception of applicants to the BCom (Bilingual) and BScN (Bilingual) programs, applicants to Faculté Saint-Jean do not have to show proficiency in English before admission. However, they must demonstrate proficiency in English before they may be granted a degree from this institution.

See English Language Proficiency for Admission  for further information on meeting proficiency in English after admission to Faculté Saint-Jean.

Formal International Visiting and Exchange Programs

Applicants under formal international visiting and exchange program agreements are exempt from English Language Proficiency requirements.

The agreement specifies that the partner institution will ensure that the student has sufficient English language skills.

Residence Requirements

The University of Alberta is committed to admitting highly qualified students from Alberta, Canada and the international community. To meet the needs of the community the University serves, some Faculties have established program enrolment targets regarding the citizenship and residence (see definition below) of undergraduate students. No non-resident shall be admitted to a Faculty who is less qualified than any Alberta resident who is denied admission to that Faculty.

A resident of Alberta is defined as a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant) who has been continuously resident in the Province of Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut for at least one year immediately before the first day of classes of the term for which admission is sought. The one-year residence period shall not be considered broken where the admission committee is satisfied that the applicant was temporarily out of the province on vacation, in short-term employment, or as a full-time student. Applicants on study permit cannot establish residence during a period as a full-time student in an Alberta secondary or postsecondary institution because a stay under study permit is considered to be a visiting period.