Competitive Requirements

Competitive Admission

We encourage you to apply early, as admission is competitive, works on a rolling basis, and space in each program is limited.

The University of Alberta offers a range of programs, each with their own set of course requirements, class sizes and averages, which vary from year to year. Specific admission averages are not available. However, admission average trends reflecting the last three admission cycles are available below.

Please note: these historical admission averages ranges do not serve as a guarantee for future admission.

Every applicant is unique and every enrolment cycle is unique. That's why applications are assessed on an ongoing basis. It creates an opportunity to adjust what is considered 'a competitive application' throughout the admissions period (October 1 - August 31) based on a variety of factors, including:

  • The number of qualified applicants to a particular program
  • The averages presented by applicants that year
  • Program capacity

To be considered for admission, applicants need to:

  • Have the required courses for their program
  • Meet the minimum requirements for their program
  • Fill out a complete application for admission with application fee
  • Applicants who are not accepted into their first-choice program will be assessed for their second-choice program if listed.

We know that choosing a post-secondary path is a big decision. While specific competitive admission averages for the current year are not available, the historical competitive average ranges can serve as a benchmark for you to gauge your potential eligibility for admission. We encourage students to select a second choice program, on their application for admission, that has a lower historical competitive average range to increase chances to receive an offer of admission. Our Student Services team is here to help you find the best option for your academic journey. Contact an Advisor who would be happy to help!

Note: Students who receive an offer of admission must continue to meet the university's minimum admission requirements and all conditions stated in the admission offer letter in order to remain eligible.


Minimum Requirements

Admission is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

You must meet the minimum requirements in all subjects, even after receiving an admission offer, in order to remain admissible. (See your admission offer letter for more details.) 

Minimum Grades Required for Average Calculation:
  • Grade 11 subject mark: 60% or above
  • Grade 12 subject mark: 50% or above
  • 70% minimum average across 5 required subjects based on program

Admission Average Ranges: 3-Year Trend

The following admission average ranges reflect the past 3 admission cycles. Admission is competitive.  Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission. 

The University of Alberta strives to recruit First Nations, Métis, and Inuit learners and has equity averages to improve access to education for prospective First Nations, Métis, and Inuit applicants. Contact our Indigenous Recruitment Team at indigenous@ualberta.ca to learn more.

Faculty

Program

Average Ranges

Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences Low 70s to low 80s
Bachelor of Science in Animal Health Mid 70s to high 80s
Bachelor of Science with Honors (Nutrition and Food Science Majors) Mid 70s to high 80s
Arts Low 70s to low 80s
Bachelor of Arts Criminology Low 80s to low 90s
Bachelor of Arts in Drama / Bachelor of Education Secondary
Low 80s to low 90s
Bachelor of Arts Honors Low 80s to low 90s
Bachelor of Arts Planning Low 80s to low 90s
Augustana Low 70s to low 80s
Business High 70s to mid 80s
Campus Saint Jean Low 70s to low 80s
Education Elementary Low 80s to low 90s
Secondary (Art, Drama, Music) Low to high 70s
Secondary (Others) Mid 70s to high 80s
Engineering Low to high 80s
Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation Low to high 80s
Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport & Tourism Mid to high 70s
Bachelor of Kinesiology / Bachelor of Education (Elementary & Secondary) Mid 80s to low 90s
Native Studies Low 70s to low 80s
Nursing High 80s to low 90s
Science High 80s to low 90s

Competitive GPAs for Professional Programs

These programs require pre-professional (university-level) study.

Program Competitive Requirements (previous year)
Law (JD)

Average GPA: 3.8

Average LSAT Score: 161

Medicine (MD)

Minimum competitive GPA to apply: 3.30

Competitive mean MCAT score: 128

Medical Laboratory Science

Minimum GPA in prerequisites to apply: 2.7

Competitive overall GPA: 3.0

Dentistry (DDS)

Minimum Overall GPA to apply: 3.0

Competitive Overall GPA: 3.85

Average DAT Score: 68 out of 90
(including Reading & Comprehension,
Perceptual Ability, and Manual
Dexterity)

Dental Hygiene

Minimum Overall GPA to apply: 2.7

Competitive Overall GPA: 3.43

Dietetics

Minimum GPA to apply: 2.7

Competitive GPA: 3.0

Radiation Therapy

Average GPA: 3.2

Per-MMI GPA: 3.4

Pharmacy (PharmD) Average GPA: 3.5 for Alberta Applicants and 3.7 for Out-of-Province Applicants