203
Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
203.2
Admission
203.2 Admission
Individuals seeking admission should review the University of Alberta Code of Applicant Behaviour. Amendments to the Code of Applicant Behaviour occur throughout the year. The official version of the Code of Applicant Behaviour, as amended from time to time is housed on the University Governance website at www.governance.ualberta.ca.
The minimum requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research are outlined below. Some departments impose additional admission requirements. Even though an applicant may appear to satisfy the general admission requirements, acceptance into a graduate program is not guaranteed.
203.2.1 Academic Requirements
Applicants to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research must have obtained a University of Alberta baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent from this or another recognized academic institution. Degrees can vary greatly from institution to institution. Consequently, the University of Alberta is obliged to examine in detail the content of courses completed elsewhere by students seeking to enrol in a graduate program in order to establish equivalencies between these courses and those offered at the University of Alberta. This examination has as its goal the establishment of curricular equivalencies, and with it the appropriate placement of incoming students, and can entail, among other things, a comparative assessment of syllabuses, consultation with departments, and discussions with other institutions. In seeking the appropriate placement of its students, the University of Alberta strives to optimize their opportunity to succeed academically, while maintaining a high standard in its graduate programs.
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Applicants must be recommended for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research by the department to which they are applying, indicating that the applicant is in all respects acceptable to the department. |
60) of undergraduate (or graduate) study must be at least 3.0 on the 4-point letter grading system used at the University of Alberta or an equivalent standing from another recognized institution (see below). When it is not possible to evaluate a 203.2.2 Admission with Conditions
Applicants whose academic record is either:
difficult to assess, as in the case of some international credentials; or | |||||||
below the standard normally required by a department, where the department's minimum requirements are above those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, may be admitted to a degree program with conditions.
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If students meet all of the conditions of admission, they may continue in the program; if not, the department will recommend one of the following to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research:
that the student be granted another term with conditions. This written recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research must include (a) designation of how the Failure in or Failure to Complete a Course in the first term of registration will be managed (see §203.8.3 of the University Calendar) and (b) specification of a minimum number of graduate-level courses which are to be taken by the student. | |
that the student not be permitted further registrations in the program. This written recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research will include a rationale for this decision. |
Any student who does not meet the conditions of a second term of registration will not be permitted to continue in the program.
203.2.3 Aboriginal Applicants
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is committed to the development of a University environment which encourages honor and respect for Aboriginal communities, in recognition of their unique position as descendants of the First Peoples Nation and the spirit and intent of their relationships in Canada.
Students of Aboriginal ancestry, within the meaning of the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35(2), are strongly encouraged to apply for admission. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research has developed a series of recruitment and retention initiatives to enhance the learning experiences of Aboriginal students on the campus.
In accordance with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research admission policy, Aboriginal students may be considered for admission on the basis of their life experience. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research advocates the admission of Aboriginal applicants by individual departments.
203.2.4 English Language Requirement
Since English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Alberta (except for Faculté Saint-Jean), proficiency in English is a prerequisite for graduate admission.
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission either by:
Possession of a degree or its academic equivalent from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, in which the language of instruction is English. or | |
A satisfactory score on an approved English language examination as described below. |
Notwithstanding the above, departments and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research reserve the right to require a further demonstration of English language proficiency.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research recognizes five English language examinations—the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment, and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).
All applicants who are required to write the English language examination are advised to do so at an early date because a satisfactory score is required before the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research will issue an official admission approval letter. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based), or a total score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based); 85 on the MELAB, and a minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least 5 on each test band, on the IELTS; an overall minimum score of 60 with at least 60 on each subtest on the CAEL; or an overall score of 59 on the PTE Academic. The University will receive PTE Academic results electronically directly from Pearson at the request of the applicant. Applicants with results from other examinations should arrange for their English language test results to be sent direct to the department.
These are minimum scores acceptable for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Individual departments may require higher scores. Consult the appropriate departmental information in §205.
203.2.5 University of Alberta Staff as Graduate Students
University of Alberta staff may be recommended and considered for admission to graduate programs provided the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research has reviewed the case and established that conflict of interest between the candidate's role as staff member and as graduate student will be absent or minimal.
Guidelines are available from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Any department wishing to recommend admission of a University staff member to a graduate program should first consult with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
