About the university
The University of Alberta was founded in 1908 as the province's first university and is now one of Canada's five largest research universities. It is particularly strong in engineering, energy and petroleum research, health sciences and artificial intelligence: the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), linked to the university, is one of Canada's three national AI institutes.
The main North Campus sits on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, close to downtown by light rail. Edmonton has lower rents and living costs than Toronto or Vancouver, very cold winters and a large South Asian community, especially in the Mill Woods area.
Indian students most often choose UAlberta for engineering (including course-based MEng degrees), computing science, statistics and graduate research. Thesis-based master's students pay a modest flat fee of about CAD 10,500 a year and are often funded through research or teaching assistantships, which can make UAlberta one of the more affordable research options in Canada.
Alberta is also known for its provincial nominee programme and strong energy, agriculture and technology sectors. Immigration rules change often, so check the latest IRCC and Alberta guidance rather than relying on what worked for earlier students.
- Founded
- 1908 by the Province of Alberta
- Type
- Public research university, member of the U15
- Campuses
- Five: North Campus (main), South Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, Enterprise Square (downtown Edmonton) and Augustana Campus in Camrose
- Main intake
- September; some graduate programmes also admit in January
- Graduate fee model
- Course-based master's charged per credit; thesis-based master's charged a flat yearly fee
- Location
- Edmonton, capital of Alberta; flights connect to Delhi via Toronto, Vancouver or Europe
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
96 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=118 in the world, 5th in Canada
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering), course-based
- Fee / year
- C$24,791
- Duration
- About 1 to 1.5 years
- Intakes
- September (some programmes January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum; departments may ask more
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), course-based
- Fee / year
- C$24,791
- Duration
- About 1 to 1.5 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering), course-based
- Fee / year
- C$24,791
- Duration
- About 1 to 1.5 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Chemical and Materials Engineering), course-based
- Fee / year
- C$24,791
- Duration
- About 1 to 1.5 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
- Postgraduate
MSc Computing Science (thesis-based)
- Fee / year
- C$10,519
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September and January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- C$24,791
- Duration
- About 1 to 1.5 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
- Postgraduate
MSc Electrical and Computer Engineering (thesis-based)
- Fee / year
- C$10,519
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September and January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- C$24,791
- Duration
- About 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 5.0 in each band) is UAlberta's graduate minimum
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering), course-based | About 1 to 1.5 years | C$24,791 | ≈ ₹16.6 lakh |
| Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), course-based | About 1 to 1.5 years | C$24,791 | ≈ ₹16.6 lakh |
| Master of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering), course-based | About 1 to 1.5 years | C$24,791 | ≈ ₹16.6 lakh |
| Master of Engineering (Chemical and Materials Engineering), course-based | About 1 to 1.5 years | C$24,791 | ≈ ₹16.6 lakh |
| MSc Computing Science (thesis-based) | 2 years | C$10,519 | ≈ ₹7 lakh |
| MSc Statistics (course-based) | About 1 to 1.5 years | C$24,791 | ≈ ₹16.6 lakh |
| MSc Electrical and Computer Engineering (thesis-based) | 2 years | C$10,519 | ≈ ₹7 lakh |
| MA Economics (course-based) | About 1 year | C$24,791 | ≈ ₹16.6 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 University of Alberta with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- Thesis-based master's and PhD
Graduate research and teaching assistantships
Value: Paid assistantships set by each department; many thesis students receive funding packages
Eligibility: Usually offered with admission to a thesis-based programme when a supervisor has funding. Ask the department about its minimum funding level.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Thesis-based graduate students
Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES)
Value: Set by the Government of Alberta and UAlberta each year
Eligibility: Merit-based; nominated by the department. Check current eligibility for international students on the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies site.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate, first year
International undergraduate admission scholarships
Value: Automatic awards based on admission average; values set yearly
Eligibility: International students admitted to a first undergraduate degree with high marks are considered automatically; some larger awards need an application.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 from CBSE, CISCE (ISC) or a state board with the subjects your faculty requires (for example Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for Engineering).
- Apply online to UAlberta. Many programmes have a 1 March document deadline for September entry, but competitive programmes fill early; apply by December or January.
- UAlberta's international undergraduate fees are shown in its online cost calculator; ask our counsellor for a figure for your programme.
Postgraduate
- A four-year bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last two years (roughly 70–75% in India) is the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies minimum; departments may ask for more.
- Thesis-based programmes need a supervisor; contact professors whose research matches yours before applying.
- Course-based programmes do not need a supervisor but are usually unfunded.
- Apply online to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies; deadlines differ by department, often December to February for September entry.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (undergraduate)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (postgraduate)
- English test score unless exempt
- Statement of purpose and references (graduate)
- CV (graduate)
- Proof of funds for the study permit: tuition plus at least CAD 22,895 a year for living costs for a single student (IRCC)
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 |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (graduate) | 6.5 overall with at least 5.0 in each band is the faculty minimum; many departments ask for more. |
| TOEFL iBT (graduate) | 90 overall with at least 21 in each section is the usual faculty minimum. |
| Undergraduate | UAlberta accepts IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo and other tests; check the undergraduate English language requirement page for current scores. |
Accommodation and living costs
UAlberta has first-year residences on North Campus (such as Lister Centre and Peter Lougheed Hall) and apartment-style housing for upper-year and graduate students, including East Campus Village and HUB. Check UAlberta Residence Services for the current year's rates. Edmonton rents are among the lowest of Canada's large cities.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Living-cost funds needed for a study permitIRCC minimum for a single student outside Quebec, on top of tuition | C$22,895per year | ≈ ₹15.3 lakh |
| Thesis-based master's fee instalments2026-27; Spring and Summer terms are $1,753 each | C$3,506per Fall or Winter term | ≈ ₹2.3 lakh |
| One 3-credit graduate course (course-based)2026-27 international rate | C$2,479per course | ≈ ₹1.7 lakh |
Campus and location
North Campus is a large, walkable campus beside the North Saskatchewan River valley, about 10 minutes from downtown Edmonton by LRT. Edmonton has long, cold winters, an indoor pedway network and many river-valley parks.
- Edmonton's LRT (light rail) stops on campus; a U-Pass for students covers local transit.
- The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is a national AI institute in Edmonton.
- Augustana Campus in Camrose is a small liberal arts campus about an hour away.
- Campus Saint-Jean teaches in French.
- Mill Woods and other parts of Edmonton have large Punjabi and wider Indian communities, gurdwaras and temples.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UAlberta graduates of eligible programmes can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Alberta's energy, engineering, agriculture and technology sectors hire graduates, and the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program offers provincial routes that change regularly.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Off-campus work allowed during term | Up to 24 hours a week | IRCC |
| PGWP length after a master's of at least 8 months | Up to 3 years | IRCC |
| PGWP language requirement for university graduates | CLB 7 in all four skills | IRCC |
| Thesis-based master's fee, 2026-27 | CAD 10,518.72 a year | UAlberta Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies |
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
How much is a master's at the University of Alberta?
In 2026-27 international course-based master's students pay CAD 826.36 per credit (about CAD 24,800 for 30 credits), and thesis-based students pay a flat CAD 10,518.72 a year. Programmes with non-standard fees, such as some professional degrees, cost more.
Can I get funding for a master's?
Thesis-based master's students are often funded through research or teaching assistantships arranged by their department and supervisor. Course-based students are usually not funded.
Is Edmonton too cold?
Winters are long and temperatures often fall below -20°C. The campus and downtown have indoor walkways and the city is well equipped for winter, but bring proper winter clothing.
Does UAlberta take a January intake?
Some graduate programmes, especially thesis-based ones in engineering and sciences, admit in January. Most undergraduate programmes start in September.
Where can I find undergraduate fees?
UAlberta publishes international undergraduate tuition in its online cost calculator and Tuition Guarantee pages. Ask our counsellor for the figure for your programme and year of entry.
Sources
- UAlberta: international graduate instructional fees 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- UAlberta: Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (opens in a new tab)
- UAlberta: Department of Computing Science (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings: University of Alberta (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027 (Canada results, Academica summary) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Post-Graduation Work Permit (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: work off campus as a student (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: study permit proof of financial support (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ualberta.ca (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details