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 and non-departmentalized Faculties impose additional admission requirements. Even though an applicant may appear to satisfy the minimum admission requirements, acceptance into a graduate program is not guaranteed.
203.2.1 Academic Requirements
In making its admission decisions, the University of Alberta strives to optimize the students’ opportunity to succeed academically, while maintaining a high standard in its graduate programs.
Applicants for admission must have obtained a University of Alberta baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent from this or another recognized academic institution.
Qualified applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree from a Bologna-compliant or another recognized research-intensive university will be considered for admission in the normal way.
Applicants will not be admissible to a doctoral degree program at the University of Alberta if they have previously obtained a similar or identical degree.
Please see §23.4 of the University Calendar for the University of Alberta grading system.
The minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) required for admission to a graduate program at the University of Alberta is 3.0, equivalently, a letter grade B. Many graduate programs have higher minimum AGPA requirements, see §205 of the University Calendar.
For detailed information on the calculation of the AGPA, please consult the Graduate Program Manual, §5.11.
Please consult §5 of the Graduate Program Manual for information and regulations concerning international grading systems and their evaluation.
The decision to admit an applicant to a graduate program is made by that program.
203.2.2 Admission with Conditions
In certain circumstances, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research or the academic unit may impose conditions on an applicant’s admission. Such circumstances include academic qualifications that are difficult to assess or below the minimum standards required by the program.
The conditions will be clearly stated in the admission letter followed by the statement that if the student fails to satisfy the stated conditions by the required deadlines, the student may not be allowed to continue in the program.
Examples of admission conditions include:
• | The requirement for the receipt of various documents. |
• | The successful completion of a specific English Language Proficiency test. |
• | The requirement to take a specific set of courses, and achieve certain grades, or grade point averages, within a specified time. |
An applicant who has met some or all of their admission conditions prior to arrival at the University of Alberta may request confirmation of the fact from the FGSR.
In the absence of exceptional circumstances, students admitted with conditions will not be permitted to register in project courses. In no circumstances will students admitted with conditions be permitted to register in directed reading courses.
If a student meets all of the conditions of admission, they may continue in the program; if not, the department will recommend, in writing, one of the following to the Dean, FGSR:
That the deadline for meeting the unfulfilled condition(s) be extended, with no new conditions being imposed. | |
That the student be granted another term with conditions. This recommendation must include (a) an indication 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 and the minimum academic performance required. | |
That the student not be permitted further registrations in the program. This written recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research must 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 University of Alberta is committed to the recruitment, retention and graduation of Aboriginal students. The University also recognizes that Aboriginal applicants have traditionally been under represented in higher education and strives towards having the University’s Aboriginal student population attain a level that is at least proportionate to the Aboriginal population of the province.
For the definition of an Aboriginal applicant, please see §14.3.2 of the University Calendar.
In accordance with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research admission policy, Aboriginal applicants 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, graduate programs 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 (Academic IELTS) |
• | the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment |
• | the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). |
The minimum acceptable scores are:
• | 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) |
• | MELAB: 85 |
• | Academic IELTS: 6.5, with at least 5 on each test band. |
• | CAEL: overall 60 with at least 60 on each subtest. |
• | PTE Academic: 59. |
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 directly to the graduate program.
Individual graduate programs 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 considered for admission to graduate programs provided the academic unit 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.
