Tuition and Cost of Living

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As an exchange student, you will NOT pay tuition to UAlberta - you will instead pay tuition to your home institution.

Fees that must be paid to UAlberta:

  • Exclusions to Program and Tuition Fees (certain courses only) - for example, if one or more of your courses require art supplies or include expenses for field trips.
  • Some courses might have mandatory fees (e.g., for textbooks, software, lab equipment, lab smocks, etc.) that might not be shown on the page for Exclusions to Programs and Tuition Fees.  If you choose to take courses with mandatory fees then you would be required to pay the fees.
  • University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan (UAHIP)
    UAHIP is required for exchange students. Coverage by any insurance plan (other than the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan) will not allow you to be exempted from UAHIP.
  • Arc Card for public transit
    All UAlberta students must contribute a fee to the group transit plan, which then provides unlimited access to public transit.
  • If you choose to live on campus then you can expect to pay on-campus housing fees.  

Pay only the sum of any Exclusions to Program and Tuition Fees that should be charged to you + any mandatory fees that come with the courses you have chosen + UAHIP + Arc Card + any on-campus housing fees.  Anything left over is a mistake and should not be paid.  Our Office of the Registrar will usually remove any excess charges from your account by October 15 if your exchange started in September or by February 15 if your exchange started in January.  If you still notice what you think might be an excess charge after the dates mentioned above then please contact your UAlberta Exchange Coordinator so that he/she can investigate on your behalf and, if possible, have it removed from your account.  If you don't know who your UAlberta Exchange Coordinator is then please send an email describing the situation to goabroad@ualberta.ca.


How to pay fees

There are different ways to pay your fees, including online through your Bear Tracks account.

If you will be applying for on-campus housing, please do NOT use your on-campus housing account to pay for any of the other mandatory fees listed above.

Please note that your UAlberta transcript will not be released until you've paid all of your UAlberta fees and/or fines. Late payments will accrue interest charges.


Cost of living

Edmonton offers a moderate cost of living when compared with other major cities in Canada.


Prepare in advance!

All funds required for your exchange should be readily available before your exchange begins or you should have a commitment (from parents, student loan providers, etc.) that such funds will be provided to you as necessary during the exchange.  UAlberta will not be able to lend or give you money during your exchange.

Also, please don't assume that you will be able to find part-time work, or even that you will be permitted by the Government of Canada to work, while you are on exchange.  Part-time work is not at all guaranteed as part of your exchange experience. 


Click here to return to the sitemap of the Incoming Exchange Student Application Guide.

Updated for 2024/25 applications