The University of Alberta (U of A) in Edmonton was ranked 96th in the world and fourth in Canada in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It’s a large research university known for engineering, computing science, artificial intelligence, energy, health sciences and agriculture. Its main campus overlooks the North Saskatchewan River valley, and it also has campuses in Camrose (Augustana) and a French-language campus, Campus Saint-Jean.
The U of A’s admissions are mainly based on grades, its fees are lower than at many top Canadian universities, and it guarantees international undergraduates their tuition for the length of their programme. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on the University of Alberta’s own guidance and official Canadian government information.
1. Choose your faculty and programme
You apply to a specific programme, such as Arts, Science, Engineering, Business, Computing Science, Kinesiology or Nursing. Each has its own required subjects and competitive admission average. Read the requirements for your curriculum, because the U of A publishes requirements for many international school systems.
2. Apply by 1 March 2027
The deadline to apply for most programmes starting in autumn 2027 is 1 March 2027, though some programmes have extended deadlines and others have different dates. The application fee is CAD $150 and is non-refundable. Apply early, because applying early can mean an earlier decision and more time for your study permit.
3. Focus on your admission average
The U of A calculates an admission average from your grades in the subjects required for your programme. In competitive programmes, such as Engineering, Computing Science and Nursing, the average you need can be well above the minimum, and it can change from year to year depending on demand. Strong grades in mathematics and sciences matter most for science and engineering.
4. Meet the English requirement
If you need to prove your English, the U of A asks for IELTS Academic of at least 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. It doesn’t accept IELTS One Skill Retake results, and it also accepts other tests and ways of showing your English. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
5. Get considered for admission scholarships
The U of A automatically considers you for its admission-based scholarships when you apply, based on your admission average at the time of your offer. You don’t need a separate application, so high grades directly increase your chances of an award.
6. Apply for application-based scholarships by 10 January
Some scholarships need a separate application, which you can only submit after you’ve applied to a degree programme. For students starting in September 2027, the scholarship application opens on 1 October 2026 and closes on 10 January 2027. One example is the International Leader Scholarship, worth up to CAD $15,000. The U of A says it doesn’t offer full scholarships, so plan your budget carefully.
7. Understand the fees and the tuition guarantee
International undergraduates at the U of A get a tuition guarantee, which sets their annual rate and programme total when they’re admitted, so they know the full cost of their degree before they accept. For students starting in autumn 2026, for example, Computing Science cost CAD $39,792 a year. The U of A plans a 5.5% increase for new international undergraduates in autumn 2027, and is moving Computing Science to the higher Engineering fee level. Use the U of A’s cost calculator to check the exact fee for your programme.
8. Accept your offer and pay the deposit
To accept an offer, most new international applicants must pay a CAD $5,000 tuition deposit (or $1,000 if you’re already studying in Canada). You’ll usually need to accept your offer before you can get the provincial attestation letter (PAL) you need for your study permit, so don’t leave it late.
9. Plan your study permit
If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll usually need a study permit. Most undergraduate applicants also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL), which the U of A issues after you accept your offer. Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public universities haven’t needed one. You must show that you can pay your first year’s tuition and living costs: for applications made from 1 September 2026, the government asks for at least CAD $23,448 a year for living costs for a single student, on top of tuition and travel. Rules change often, so check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the latest advice.
10. Plan for work, winters and life in Edmonton
During term, you can usually work up to 24 hours a week off campus. After a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to three years, if you meet the language requirement (CLB 7 in all four skills for university graduates). Edmonton is usually cheaper to live in than Toronto or Vancouver, but its winters are long and very cold, so budget for warm clothing.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at the U of A?
Graduate programmes are run by the U of A’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and individual departments, each with its own deadlines and requirements. For research degrees, you’ll usually need a supervisor, so contact potential supervisors early with a clear research proposal. The U of A is well known for research in artificial intelligence and machine learning. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Apply to a mix of more and less competitive options. Read our guides to McGill University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and the University of Waterloo. Our guide to studying in Canada explains how the Canadian system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Alberta’s official admissions, fees and scholarship pages, official Canadian government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on the University of Alberta’s website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Alberta.