Tuition Model
Tuition at the University of Alberta follows two models:
Registration-based: tuition fees are assessed based on the courses that a student is registered in.
Program-based: tuition is assessed based on an annual and total program tuition guarantee. This guarantee means the total cost of program tuition will be calculated based on the number of credits required to complete the program and will be in place for the typical time required to complete the program plus one additional year.
Tuition Model | |
Domestic Students | Registration-based |
Continuing International Students (previously on a registration-based model and remaining in their current program) | Registration-based |
Incoming International Students | Program-based |
Continuing International Students (starting in a new, unrelated program) | Program-based |
In November 2018, the provincial government passed Bill 19, An Act to Improve the Affordability and Accessibility of Post-Secondary Education. The University of Alberta's program-based tuition model is intended to provide international students with a guaranteed tuition amount for the duration of their program. This model will continue to allow international students to apply for their student visas and funding opportunities, and will allow them to make an informed decision when selecting their post-secondary school.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a domestic student starting or continuing my studies in Fall 2023.
There is no change to the tuition model for domestic students starting or continuing their studies in September 2021.
Tuition for domestic students is regulated by the Government of Alberta. The University will be permitted to increase domestic student tuition on an annual basis.
For the 2023/24 academic year, a tuition increase has been proposed. Visit the Tuition Increases web page for more information.
I am an international undergraduate student starting in Fall 2023.
International undergraduate students will receive a tuition guarantee (annual and program total) for the duration of their program.
I am an international graduate student starting in Fall 2023.
International graduate students will receive a tuition guarantee (annual total) for a specified program duration.
For Masters thesis-based students the length of the guarantee is 4 years.
For PhD students the length of the guarantee is 6 years.