Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply?
Visit our website to determine the admission requirements you need to meet. Look over the programs we offer and determine the program you would like to apply for.
Before you begin your online application, you will need ALL supporting documents in PDF format otherwise you will not be able to proceed with the application process.
2. Am I eligible to apply?
It is the applicant's responsibility to familiarize themselves with the admission requirements detailed on our website and to determine whether they wish to proceed with an application. Our department does not offer any preliminary evaluation of applications based on Grade Point Average or test scores.
3. What are my chances for admission?
We are unable to speculate on your chances for admission. All supporting documents are taken into consideration during the review. Competition for entry into graduate studies in our department is extremely high (approximately 20% of applicants receive admission).
4. Can I gain conditional admission?
The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering does not offer conditional admission. All applicants must meet all admission requirements to be considered for admission.
5. Do I have to find a supervisor before applying?
No. Your completed application (containing ALL the required documents) must pass our preliminary review first. IF it does, you will receive an e-mail informing you that you may then begin to look for a supervisor.
6. When is the application deadline?
There are different application deadlines for students of different citizenship. Please visit our application deadline page for more information.
7. What documents do I need to upload in PDF format into the online application system?
A complete list of required supporting documents is available on our website.
8. What do I do if I cannot obtain my degree certificate?
If you are in the process of finishing a degree, or are unable to obtain the degree certificate, please do not worry about the degree certificate at this point. If you are admitted, you can provide your degree certificate later on (after your arrival to the University of Alberta).
9. Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) mandatory?
The GRE is optional but recommended for all applicants to the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Your application will still be considered without this.
10. Do I have to take an English Language Test if my degree was taught in English?
The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering only exempts applicants from the English language requirement who have completed a degree in Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. All applicants who have completed a degree elsewhere are required to provide an acceptable English Language Test score to fulfill the English Language Requirement.
It is important to note the following:
- Our department does NOT use the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research exemption list for waiving the English Language Requirement.
- ESL 550 is NOT sufficient to meet our English Language Requirement.
- Letters of English proficiency are NOT sufficient to meet our English Language Requirement
11. If my country is on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) exemption list am I exempt from the English Language Requirement?
No. The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering does NOT use the FGSR exemption list.
12. When will admission decisions be made?
Admission decisions are made as completed applications are being reviewed. We are unable to provide exact dates of when decisions will be made. You will receive an e-mail notification once a decision has been made on your application. We ask that all applicants wait patiently for this e-mail.
13. How much is the tuition?
Fees change from year to year and assessments depend on the number of courses in which students are registered. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research has a Fee & Cost of Living estimator available for reference.
14. Is there a separate application for financial support?
All Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy students studying in our department are automatically guaranteed funding for the normal duration of their program, subject to satisfactory academic performance. All international students who are successfully admitted to the department receive $25,000 CAD per year.Canadian and permanent resident students receive $22,000 CAD per year.
15. What types of funding are available?
Please visit the financial support and scholarships pages for more information.
16. Is there a separate application for Teaching or Research Assistantships?
No. Students will be appointed Teaching and/or Research Assistantship positions at the beginning of each term.
17. Why was my application was rejected?
We are unable to provide you with a detailed reason for the admission decision. Please be reminded that all applications are evaluated as a whole, based on all the information provided by each applicant. Meeting all admissions requirements does not guarantee admission. Competition for entry into our graduate program is extremely high.
18. Can I apply again?
The department strongly discourages students from applying again after being rejected as the outcome will be the same due to the competitiveness of applications received.