Is University of Alberta hard to get into?

Yes, The school has an acceptance rate of 58%, making it one of the hardest Canadian universities to get into.

The University of Alberta is considered to be a fairly selective university in Canada. With an acceptance rate of 58%, it is ranked among the top 10 universities in Canada based on its admission selectivity. This means that for every 100 applicants, only 58 are admitted.

Eligibility and prerequisites

In order to apply to the University of Alberta, applicants must meet the requirements for grades, required coursework and English Language proficiency.

All students, regardless of their country of origin or citizenship status in Canada, must show written English Language proficiency for all programs and spoken English proficiency for some programs. Applicants to the Campus Saint-Jean, the university’s francophone campus, must show French Language proficiency in order to apply. Applicants can complete a test of English Language Proficiency, show previous education in English or complete a course recognized by the university to demonstrate English proficiency.

If you’re an international student, consider getting some professional help with admission requirements from college admissions counseling for international students. If you want to attend the University of Alberta, you can also enroll in the school’s bridging program, which allows students to improve their academic English skills by taking courses and earning credits, thereby fulfilling their English Language Proficiency requirement without submitting test results.

High school students must complete five required academic courses or subjects. Course prerequisites will vary depending on your chosen program. For example, an undergraduate program in science will require completion of English Language Arts 30-1, Mathematics 30-1, Physics 30, Chemistry 30 or Biology 30 and one completed course in the Arts or Humanities. Program requirements and coursework are listed on the University of Alberta website.

The minimum grade needed to apply also varies by program, but as admission to the University is very competitive, it is advisable to achieve more than the minimum grade and explore your options for IB vs AP courses. For IB and AP students, there are other advantages they can receive from the U of A, including scholarships, extra credit, undergraduate research opportunities and advanced standing in your program. If you’re worried you don’t have the grades or want to know how to get into college with a low GPA, consider getting help from an admission professional or look at top summer programs for high school students to strengthen your application.

Meeting the minimum requirements for admission is not a guarantee of acceptance, so it’s advisable to craft as strong an application as possible. College admissions consulting services can be a huge help when studying your university options, choosing your programs and deciding what you need to apply. A college advisor can also help you in choosing what programs you want to apply for, since the U of A will allow you to indicate two programs of your choice to increase your chances of admission.

University of Alberta admission statistics

As mentioned, the University of Alberta can be quite selective and has a competitive admissions landscape. The school has an acceptance rate of 58%, making it one of the hardest Canadian universities to get into.

58%

University of Alberta acceptance rate

The school offers admission on a rolling basis, but spots in each program are limited, so its best to apply as early as possible. Applicants who are not accepted to their first-choice of program will be considered for their second-choice, so always provide two program choices in your application to increase your chances.

On average, the minimum grade required to attend the University of Alberta ranges from the low 70s to the high 80s. On average, most applicants have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For some extremely competitive programs, such as Pharmacology, average GPAs will be 3.7 or above. For international students or students applying from outside Alberta, the admissions competition can be even fiercer, so bring your best to the table. The school is highly academically inclined, but you can balance your application with a well-written college essay, great college recommendation letters or a supplemental college essay to help swing a decision in your favour.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.