International Relations Office

University-Wide Partner Universities

 

University of Alberta
Canada

Website: http://www.ualberta.ca

 

Institution Profile
 

Founded a century ago, the University of Alberta is one of the top 100 teaching and research universities in the world serving more than 36,000 students with 11,000 faculty and staff. Created – in the words of its first president, Henry Marshall Tory – "for the uplifting of the whole people," the university is committed to inspiring the human spirit through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery and citizenship and building one of the world's great universities for the public good.

The U of A is minutes from the North Saskatchewan River valley, North America’s largest stretch of urban parkland. Historic Whyte Avenue, with its boutiques and coffee shops, is a short walk from campus, and downtown’s Jasper Avenue, home to high-quality restaurants and nightlife, is a few LRT stops away. Just a few more stations down the line, the Arts District boasts the Winspear Centre of Music and the Citadel Theatre.
 
Academics
Academic Calendar

Semester 1: Early September to Late December
Semester 2: Early January to Late April

Medium of Instruction for Classes

English and French
Faculties/Schools
  • Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
  • Arts
  • School of Business
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Extension
  • Graduate Studies and Research
  • Law
  • School of Library and Information Studies
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Native Studies
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Physical Education and Recreation
  • School of Public Health
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Science
  • St. Joseph’s College (Catholic university affiliated with U of A)
  • St. Stephen’s College (Theological college affiliated with U of A)
 
Academics
Academic Calendar

Semester 1: Late August to Mid December
Semester 2: Mid January to Mid May
 
Academics
Academic Calendar

Semester 1: Late August to Mid December
Semester 2: Mid January to Mid May
 
SEP Applicaiton
Restrictions for Exchange Students

Undergraduate restrictions

Study Abroad and Exchange students are able to take a wide range of subjects across a number of Faculties and Schools at the University of Alberta.

Please note however that courses in the following Faculties/Schools are NOT available to Study Abroad and Exchange students:

Faculty of Arts:

  • Courses in Criminology offered by the Department of Sociology are not available.


Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

  • Courses in Medicine offered by the Department of Medicine are not available


Faculty of Science

  • Courses in Computing Science offered by the Department of Computing Science are not available.


School of Business

  • BUS 201 Introduction to Canadian Business is not available to exchange students. .


Please refer to the Other Links section for relevant links to course information.
NUS Application Deadline

Please check with your SEP Administrator in the Dean’s Office for actual dates.
 
Accommodation
Housing Options

On-campus accommodation:

Students who prefer living in residence do so because of the convenient location, the organized program of activities to help students build new friendships, the academic support available, and the fact that housing can be arranged before arriving in Edmonton. There are two types of residences at the University of Alberta: furnished dormitory-style residences (Lister Centre, International House and Residence Saint-Jean) and unfurnished apartments, townhouses or houses (HUB, East Campus Village, Michener Park and Newton Place).

University residences are assigned based on your status as a University of Alberta student and the date your application is received. If you would like to stay in residence, apply immediately for the residence of your choice. International undergraduate students applying for housing by April 30 will be guaranteed a space in a campus residence. A guaranteed spot in residence does not guarantee choice of residence or room type.

Off-campus accommodation:

Non-University housing is available in the neighbourhoods surrounding the University. Prices for non-University housing vary depending on size, facilities and location. Some apartments include the cost of utilities (electricity, heat, water, etc.) in the monthly rent. One-bedroom apartment rentals are in the range of $550 to $900 and up, per unit, per month. A one-bedroom apartment within a 30 minute walk of campus or closer will likely cost from $750 – 1000. A popular form of accommodation is a room or suite in a private house, often in the basement, where costs range upwards from $350 per month (for a single room with shared bathroom and cooking facilities).

Please refer to the Other Links section for the relevant links to university accommodation.
 
Visa & Insurance
Consular/Visa Regulations

When you have received your official letter of acceptance to the University of Alberta, you should immediately obtain a Study Permit. A Temporary Resident Visa may also be required. These documents are available from the nearest Canadian visa office (embassy or consulate). Obtain specific application instructions at the visa office at which you will submit your application.

It is possible to study in Canada in a program of study of less than six months duration without a Study Permit. The program must be completed within the original period authorized for your stay (usually six months) upon entry to Canada. If you wish to work in Canada while you are studying, you will require a Study Permit in order to apply, in Canada, for the required Work Permit.

If your program of study is greater than six months, do not leave for Canada until you have obtained the written approval of your Study Permit application from an overseas Canadian visa office, unless you are a citizen or permanent resident of the USA, in which case you may apply at the port of entry.

If you also require a Temporary Resident Visa be sure it is in your possession before departing for Canada. Before completing immigration procedures at a port of entry, ensure that you are in possession of a valid Study Permit and that all the information on it is correct. It is not possible to change from “visitor status” to “student status” once you have entered Canada.

Also, ensure that all the information on the Study Permit is correct and that it is valid for studies at the University of Alberta. This is especially important if you applied for your Study Permit using an admission letter other than the University of Alberta’s.
Health/Medical Insurance

All students who attend Canadian universities on exchange are required to purchase the health insurance recommended by their host university as part of the registration process. In addition, they can also purchase additional optional insurance from a private insurer for their term of study overseas. These short term optional insurance plans cover events such as personal accident, accidental medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation etc.

If you will be studying at the University of Alberta for less than 12 months (exchange or visiting students), you will be automatically enrolled in the University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan (UAHIP). Participation in this plan is mandatory for students who do not qualify for Alberta Health Care Insurance.

Please refer to the Other Links Section for the relevant links to the university’s insurance policies. 
 
Cost of Living
Estimated Monthly Living Expenses
Breakdown of Costs CAN $
Accommodation 350 - 662.50
Bills (Electricity, etc) Comes under accommodation
Food 270
Transport 74.25
Telephone variable
Others (Entertainment, clothes, etc.) 235
Monthly Estimate 929 - 1241

Please refer to the Other Links Section for the relevant links to the estimated costs of living.

 
Additional Information
Useful Links
 
More Questions?
 

Module Mapping, Course Selections & Application

Please check with your SEP Administrator/Coordinator in the Dean's Office.

 

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