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Campus of Alberta University of the Arts
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Alberta University of the Arts

Calgary, Canada · Public · Est. 1926

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1926

Type

Public

Location

Calgary, Canada

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: Thivierr, CC BY-SA 3.0

About the university

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is a public university in Calgary that teaches only art, craft and design. It began in 1926 as the art department of the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (now SAIT), became Alberta College of Art + Design in 1995 and gained university status as AUArts in 2019. It has about 1,200 students and average classes of 18.

Indian students look at AUArts for studio-based bachelor's degrees in fine arts and design: the BFA in Studio Art (animation, ceramics, glass, media arts, photography and more), the BDes in Visual Communication Design (graphic design and advertising, or illustration) and the new Bachelor of Creative Industries. A portfolio of 12 original works is needed for every bachelor's application.

Founded
1926, as the art department of what is now SAIT; university status in 2019
Type
Public specialist art, craft and design university
Students
1,200
Class size
Average of 18 students per class
Facilities
About 300,000 sq ft of art-focused studios and workshops
International tuition (2026-27)
CAD 23,041 a year for the BFA and BDes; CAD 31,250 for the MFA

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 5 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (CAD)Approx. in rupees
    Bachelor of Design: Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design & Advertising stream)4 years full-time (120 credits), in person and studio-basedC$23,041≈ ₹15.4 lakh
    Bachelor of Design: Visual Communication Design (Illustration stream)4 years full-time (120 credits), in person and studio-basedC$23,041≈ ₹15.4 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Arts: Studio ArtFull-time, studio-based; one or two concentrations such as animation, ceramics, media arts, painting or photographyC$23,041≈ ₹15.4 lakh
    Bachelor of Creative Industries: Applied Creative Industries4 years; in person, non-studio and hybrid (launched in 2026)C$28,023≈ ₹18.8 lakh
    MFA in Craft Media20 months; ceramics, fibre, glass, jewellery and metals, or an interdisciplinary planC$31,250≈ ₹20.9 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Alberta University of the Arts with similar universities in Canada.

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    Scholarships

      Admission requirements

      Undergraduate

      • Class 12 (or equivalent) with at least 60% overall in the final year.
      • A digital portfolio of 12 original artworks (one PDF or Word file) and a 300–500 word statement of intent.
      • Upload interim transcripts and English scores by 1 February (priority) or 1 June (general). Final transcripts must arrive by 1 August.
      • International application fee CAD 150; new international undergraduates pay a CAD 1,000 confirmation fee.

      Postgraduate

      • The MFA in Craft Media looks for academic standing, an active studio practice, an exhibition or publication record and a plan for self-directed research.

      Documents

      • Valid passport
      • Class 12 mark sheet (interim, then final official transcript)
      • Portfolio of 12 original works and statement of intent
      • English test score, unless you qualify for a waiver

      Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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      English language requirements

      English requirements
      Test or routeTypical requirement
      IELTS6.5 overall
      TOEFL iBT83, with at least 20 in each section (institution code 0595)
      PTE Academic56
      Duolingo120
      Class 12 English waiverPossible after two years of full-time English-medium high school with at least 60% in Grade 12 English or equivalent

      Accommodation and living costs

      AUArts students can live on campus in a section of SAIT's East Hall residence set aside for them, with an AUArts roommate and a shared art studio. Rooms have a private lockable bedroom, kitchen and bathroom on 8-month leases. AUArts does not publish the rent; check rates on SAIT's residence portal. The campus is on Calgary's C-Train line, so many students rent off campus.

      Accommodation and living costs
      ItemIn CADApprox. in rupees

      Campus and location

      AUArts has one campus in Calgary, next to SAIT and on the C-Train line, with about 300,000 sq ft of studios and workshops.

      • Studios for animation, ceramics, glass, jewellery and metals, print media, sculpture and more.
      • Average class size of 18 students.
      • 227 scholarships, bursaries and awards, with more than CAD 400,000 given each year.
      • Budget about CAD 2,500 for first-year art materials.

      Careers and graduate outcomes

      AUArts counts 11 Governor General's Award winners among its faculty and alumni. It does not publish graduate employment figures. Post-study work rights depend on IRCC rules; see our Canada guide.

      Graduate outcomes
      WhatFigureSource

      Studying in Canada

      Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:

      Other universities in Canada

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      FAQs

      What are AUArts fees for Indian students?

      For 2026-27, international tuition is CAD 768.04 per credit: CAD 23,041.20 a year for 30 credits in the BFA or BDes. The Bachelor of Creative Industries is CAD 28,023.30 and the MFA CAD 31,250 a year. Mandatory fees and materials are extra.

      Do I need a portfolio?

      Yes. Bachelor's applicants submit a digital portfolio of 12 original artworks and a statement of 300–500 words.

      Can I skip IELTS with my Class 12 English marks?

      Possibly. AUArts waives the test after two years of full-time English-medium high school with at least 60% in Grade 12 English or equivalent. Otherwise you need IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 83, PTE 56 or Duolingo 120.

      Sources

      1. AUArts: 2026-27 Academic Calendar fees (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
      2. AUArts: International applicant requirements (opens in a new tab)
      3. AUArts: English requirements for bachelor's degrees (opens in a new tab)
      4. AUArts: Bachelor of Design (opens in a new tab)
      5. AUArts: MFA in Craft Media (opens in a new tab)
      6. AUArts: Student housing (opens in a new tab)
      7. AUArts: Why AUArts (opens in a new tab)
      8. AUArts: History and mission (opens in a new tab)

      Official website: www.auarts.ca (opens in a new tab)

      Check the latest details

      We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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