Tuition, Funding, and Scholarships

Funding your Graduate Education

The University of Alberta has one of the most generous awards and financial aid programs in the country, and among the highest graduate student funding rates in Canada.

First-year Graduate Student Funding

If you are recommended for admission, you may be considered for funding through scholarships and teaching and research assistantships in the first two years of your master's or doctoral programs. Most scholarships are merit-based. Eligible students are automatically considered. There is no need to make a separate application.

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships are awarded by departments and based on merit and ability to perform the required duties. Part-time assistantships (teaching or research) normally require 3-12 hours of work per week over the term of the appointment. Full-time Principal Instructor assistantships require an equivalent of 12 hours of work per week over the term of the appointment. Students in the first and second year of their master's and doctoral programs are given first consideration for assistantship funding. Eligible students are automatically considered. There is no need to make a separate application.

Awards and Scholarships

Eligible students are automatically considered for the following awards. There is no need to make a separate application. Please also visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Awards and Funding.

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Graduate Scholarships in Art & Design

Four scholarships are awarded annually to students entering the second year of the MFA program (representing a cross-section from the areas of Drawing and Inter-Media, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture) on the basis of high academic merit in their first year of the graduate program. Eligible MFA students are automatically considered at the end of the first year. The adjudication process takes place in the month of April. Scholarship valued at $9,000.

Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship

The Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement of students pursuing graduate studies at the University of Alberta. It was established to incent the best and brightest students -- Canadian and international -- to study in Alberta. It is valued at $12,000 for 12 months.

Friends of the University of Alberta Society Graduate Award Two awards of $5000 to be awarded annually to a full-time student entering the first year of any graduate degree at the University of Alberta. Based on academic achievement and outstanding community service as demonstrated through research and/or involvement in community engagement and/or volunteer activities. Renewable for a second year contingent upon maintaining satisfactory academic standing. Award is credited directly towards fees.

Melba Sadler Graduate Scholarship in Art and Design

Awarded annually to a Fine Arts graduate student with superior academic achievement in painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, or printmaking. Selection is made on the basis of academic merit, creativity, and imaginative ability in art. Award amount $14,000 for twelve months. Endowed by Gerald W Sadler in memory of his wife Melba.

Harriet Snowball Winspear Scholarship

This award is based on academic excellence and goes to one or two full-time first-year students in the Fine Arts program who are receiving another award or graduate assistantship. Scholarship value $8,000.

University of Alberta Master of Fine Arts and Master of Design Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to students who are being newly admitted to Art & Design studio programs, with first priority given to newly admitted students who have completed their previous degrees at an institution other than the University of Alberta. It is valued at $18,000. Renewable for one year.

University of Alberta Master's and Doctoral Recruitment Scholarships

Recruitment Scholarships are offered on the basis of superior academic standing and demonstrated potential for advanced study and research. Applicants are assessed according to grade point average, reference letters, statement of program, research potential and productivity, and evidence of publications and other scholarship achievement.

The scholarship is valued at $17,500 Master’s; $21,000 Doctoral. Domestic students will receive an additional $5,800, international students will receive an additional $10,000 to help cover fees. In addition, the department guarantees that a recipient will receive continued funding, from any combination of sources, for the second year of the graduate program based on the rates for Graduate Assistantship appointments for 12 hours per week (non-Principal Instructor) master's students.

Travel Grants

Edmonton Arts Council

CIP Travel Grants through the Edmonton Arts Council assist Edmonton residents active in the arts and festival communities with travel costs to the benefit of both themselves and the citizens of Edmonton. See the Arts Council website for more information.

The Faculty of Graduate Study and Research Travel Awards

Available to all graduate students, these variable amount awards allow students to expose their research results and conclusions to peer review and to test ideas with acknowledged experts. Students apply directly to the FGSR.

Graduate Students' Association (GSA) Academic Travel Grants

The GSA Academic Travel Grant helps offset the cost of participation in academic activities such as conferences and research trips that are directly related to graduate students' current academic programs. For more information, please consult the Graduate Students' Association.

Awards Administered by Other Funding Agencies

Social Science and Humanities Research Council

Canadian students in, or applying to, doctoral programs may apply for federal scholarships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) early in the Fall term prior to the SSHRC application deadline. Please consult with the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies and Research regarding eligibility and the process of crafting a competitive proposal. As awards are limited, prospective students are expected to pursue alternative sources of funding. For more information on SSHRC please go to the website at www.sshrc.ca.

Canadian and Permanent Resident students applying for the master's program or who are currently in a master's program and have completed no more than 12 months of full-time study are expected to apply for the Canada Graduate Scholarships Program - Master's Scholarship through SSHRC. Again, please consult with the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies and Research regarding eligibility and the process of crafting a competitive proposal.

International students shall also inquire about financial aid from agencies or governments in their home country; those from Commonwealth countries are eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships and can write to the Canadian High Commissioner in their home country. More information can be obtained by contacting the University of Alberta International Services Centre.

Traditional Fulbright American Student Awards

Fulbright Canada is the Foundation for Educational Exchange Between Canada and the United States of America. Awards are intended for American citizens who are graduate students, prospective graduate students, or promising young professionals who wish to study and/or conduct research in Canada. Awards may be held at any university, research center, think tank, or government agency in Canada. Please see the Fulbright website for further information.

Tuition and Fees

For information about tuition and fees, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.