About the university
St. Mary's University (StMU) is a small Catholic liberal arts university in south Calgary, Alberta. Founded under a provincial act in 1986, it became independent in 1991, began granting its own degrees in 2004 and took its current name in 2014. It describes itself as open to all and grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, with an average class of 25 students. It is a different institution from Saint Mary's University in Halifax.
International students can apply to its arts, science and business programmes, such as psychology, biology, English, history, liberal studies and a two-year Business Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility, as well as Bachelor of Education after-degrees. It does not offer engineering, computing or professional master's degrees, so it suits Indian students who want a small, teaching-focused campus in a big city.
- Founded
- St. Mary's College Act passed in 1986; degree-granting since 2004; named St. Mary's University in 2014
- Type
- Independent Catholic liberal arts university, open to students of all faiths (DLI O19273782872)
- Class size
- Average of 25 students
- Programmes
- Eight BA degrees, a BSc, a two-year business diploma and Bachelor of Education after-degrees
- International tuition (2026-27)
- CAD 28,080 a year for Arts and Science (CAD 29,719 with fees)
- Application fee
- CAD 175 (non-refundable); CAD 200 registration deposit on admission
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Fee / year
- C$28,080
- Duration
- 3 years (concentration) or 4 years (major); Honours option
- Intakes
- September (start the process at least three months before your term)
- English
- TOEFL iBT 80 (no part below 19) or 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0; PTE 59
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Fee / year
- C$28,080
- Duration
- 4 years; Honours option
- Intakes
- September (start the process at least three months before your term)
- English
- TOEFL iBT 80 (no part below 19) or 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0; PTE 59
- Undergraduate
Business Diploma – Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility
- Fee / year
- C$28,080
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September (start the process at least three months before your term)
- English
- TOEFL iBT 80 (no part below 19) or 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0; PTE 59
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
- Fee / year
- C$28,080
- Duration
- 4 years (concentrations include Business and Management, Biology and Science Studies)
- Intakes
- September (start the process at least three months before your term)
- English
- TOEFL iBT 80 (no part below 19) or 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0; PTE 59
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$28,080
- Duration
- Bachelor of Arts
- Intakes
- September (start the process at least three months before your term)
- English
- TOEFL iBT 80 (no part below 19) or 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0; PTE 59
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$28,080
- Duration
- Bachelor of Arts
- Intakes
- September (start the process at least three months before your term)
- English
- TOEFL iBT 80 (no part below 19) or 4.5 on the new scale; IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0; PTE 59
- Postgraduate
Bachelor of Education After-Degree (Elementary and Secondary)
- Fee / year
- C$35,820
- Duration
- 2 years, with a practicum each semester (26 weeks in total)
- Intakes
- September only (applications open 1 October; documents due 31 July)
- English
- IELTS 8.0 (no band below 7.0) or TOEFL iBT 98 (5.5 on the new scale); PTE not accepted
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | 3 years (concentration) or 4 years (major); Honours option | C$28,080 | ≈ ₹18.8 lakh |
| Bachelor of Science in Biology | 4 years; Honours option | C$28,080 | ≈ ₹18.8 lakh |
| Business Diploma – Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility | 2 years | C$28,080 | ≈ ₹18.8 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies | 4 years (concentrations include Business and Management, Biology and Science Studies) | C$28,080 | ≈ ₹18.8 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in English | Bachelor of Arts | C$28,080 | ≈ ₹18.8 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in History | Bachelor of Arts | C$28,080 | ≈ ₹18.8 lakh |
| Bachelor of Education After-Degree (Elementary and Secondary) | 2 years, with a practicum each semester (26 weeks in total) | C$35,820 | ≈ ₹24 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 St. Mary's University with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- First-year undergraduate
President's Entrance Scholarships
Value: CAD 500 (75–79.9%), 1,000 (80–84.9%), 2,000 (85–89.9%) or 3,000 (90%+)
Eligibility: Automatic, based on the average of your five best Grade 11/12 admission subjects; at least 9 credits per term. StMU does not state whether international students qualify, so ask awards@stmu.ca.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - First-year bachelor's
O'Leary Family Scholarship
Value: Up to CAD 20,000 over four years
Eligibility: New students from high school with an 80% average, leadership and a reference letter. International eligibility not stated.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- A high school diploma (Class 12) with an overall average of 65% or more in five Grade 12-level subjects, including English. A 60–64.9% average may get special admission on probation.
- BSc Biology also needs Biology, Chemistry and Maths; Psychology needs Maths.
- Applications are considered case by case. Transcripts may need an IQAS or WES assessment.
Postgraduate
- Bachelor of Education After-Degree: a 3- or 4-year bachelor's degree for the Elementary stream, a 4-year degree for Secondary, and a GPA of at least 2.5 on your last 30 credits.
- StMU's only master's is a Master of Education in Catholic Leadership.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (and degree transcripts for the BEd)
- English proficiency results or proof of English-medium study
- IQAS or WES credential assessment where asked
- Resume and two references (BEd)
- CAD 175 application fee
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | BA, BSc and diploma: 80 with no part below 19 (or 4.5 overall, no part below 4, for tests from 21 January 2026). BEd: 98 (or 5.5) |
| IELTS Academic | BA, BSc and diploma: no band below 6.0. BEd: 8.0 with no band below 7.0 |
| PTE Academic | 59 for BA, BSc and diploma (not accepted for the BEd) |
| English-medium schooling in India | India is on StMU's exempt-country list: full-time study at an accredited English-medium school or college there, with proof, meets the requirement |
Accommodation and living costs
StMU did not publish residence prices on the pages we checked; it has announced its first student residence. Plan for private rental in Calgary unless StMU confirms a residence place, and ask the Registrar's Office about housing before you accept your offer.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|
Campus and location
The 35-acre campus is at 14500 Bannister Road SE in south Calgary, on the site of the historic Father Lacombe Centre.
- Restored heritage buildings, including the Le Fort Centre and Father Michael J. McGivney Hall.
- Heritage Centre (opened 2016) and Maruo Gallery for classes, events and exhibitions.
- Lightning Athletics teams compete in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
- A fine art edition of The Saint John's Bible is held on campus.
Careers and graduate outcomes
StMU reports that most graduates find meaningful work soon after graduating. BEd students complete practicums in Alberta schools, with some international placements. See our Canada guide for work rights.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduates in meaningful employment within six months | 95% | St. Mary's University, About page |
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Is this the same as Saint Mary's University in Halifax?
No. St. Mary's University (StMU) is a separate Catholic liberal arts university in Calgary, Alberta.
What are the international fees?
For 2026-27, Arts and Science tuition is CAD 936 per credit hour, or CAD 28,080 for a full year (CAD 29,719 with mandatory fees). The BEd after-degree is CAD 35,820 a year.
Do I need IELTS if I studied in English in India?
India is on StMU's exempt-country list, so full-time study at an accredited English-medium school there, with proof, can meet the requirement. Confirm with Admissions.
Does StMU offer computer science or MBA programmes?
No. It offers arts, science (biology), a business diploma and education programmes.
Sources
- St. Mary's University: home page (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: About us (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: Tuition and fees 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: International students and refugees (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: Admission requirements (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: Programs (opens in a new tab)
- StMU: Bachelor of Education After-Degree (opens in a new tab)
Official website: stmu.ca (opens in a new tab)
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