Open Studies Admission

Through Open Studies you can take university-level credit courses on a part-time basis without following a specific degree or diploma program. Open Studies students can take up to six units of course weight in each term. Many courses from a wide variety of subject areas and disciplines are available to students who choose this option.

People of any age and varied educational backgrounds choose Open Studies. It allows students the opportunity to develop skills useful to their profession, to upgrade their postsecondary qualifications, and to take courses purely for personal interest.

Admission Requirements

Normally documents are not required because there is no competition for admission. Students require only an interest in the courses and, in some cases, there may be course prerequisites to be met. Official documents are usually required only to establish evidence of English language proficiency and/or in cases where a student has previously been required to withdraw from a postsecondary institution.

Students must submit an Application for Admission by the appropriate deadline for the term in which they wish to begin taking courses.

Previously Required to Withdraw

Students who have been required to withdraw from any postsecondary institution because of unsatisfactory academic standing must provide official transcripts. A minimum of 15 units of transferable course weight with a GPA of 2.0 or better must have been completed since having been required to withdraw. Students who have been required to withdraw (or equivalent by University of Alberta standards) more than once from any postsecondary institution or program are not eligible for admission to Open Studies.

English Language Proficiency

Because the U of A wants you to succeed, our admissions policy ensures that all students, regardless of citizenship, have the language skills they need to understand, participate and learn in our classes. The primary language of instruction in our classes, with the exception of those at the Facultý Saint-Jean, is English. For more information on the English Language Proficiency policy refer to the U of A Calendar. Information on writing ELP examinations is also available.