Competitive Requirements

Competitive Admission

We encourage all students to apply early, as admission to the University of Alberta 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, but admission average trends reflecting the last three admission cycles are listed below. We encourage students to treat these averages as a benchmark to gauge their potential eligibility for admission. However, they do not serve as a guarantee for future admission.

We also encourage students to select a second choice program on their application for admission that has a lower historical competitive average range to increase their chances of receiving an offer of admission. Our Student Service Centre is here to help find the best option for each student's academic journey. 

Every applicant and enrolment cycle is unique, which is why we assess applications 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.

Minimum Requirements

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

Students who receive an offer of admission must meet the minimum requirements in all subjects, even after receiving an admission offer, and all conditions stated in the admission offer letter in order to remain admissible.

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: Three-Year Trend

The following admission average ranges reflect the past three 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.

Competitive GPAs for Professional Programs

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