Frequently Asked Questions

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Alberta is offering a deferral of admission option for applicants admitted to Fall 2020. If you have extenuating circumstances that will prevent you from starting this Fall, there may be options to begin your program in January 2021 or apply to defer your admission to Fall 2021, depending on your program.

Your deferral request may be considered if you have:

• accepted your offer of admission and paid the tuition deposit
• met all conditions of the offer of admission
• confirmed that you do not plan to study at another post-secondary institution

To discuss your education plans and how you can get started on your academic journey at the University of Alberta, please contact Student Connect to ensure you can meet the deferral request deadline. All deferral request forms must be received by the first day of classes (August 24, 2020 for Augustana students or September 1, 2020 for most other students). 

The university will temporarily accept the on-line Duolingo English Test to meet our undergraduate English Language Proficiency requirements for this year.

Minimum Duolingo English Test score required by University of Alberta:

• 115 for English Language Proficiency
• 125 for Spoke English Proficiency

Please see the undergraduate international admissions page for further information. Some IELTS or TOEFL exams may be completed online, please check with your regional testing centre.

Please note that the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan will release the final official transcripts in late-July.

Here’s how to submit final grades:

• If you are from an Alberta high school, the University of Alberta will obtain your Alberta high school transcript on your behalf. There is nothing further you need to do.
• If you are from other provinces in Canada, please make sure the Ministry of Education or your school sends your official high school transcript directly to the University of Alberta by the due date as posted on our website.
• If you are an International student, please make sure to upload electronic copies of your documents to your Launchpad, if you haven't already. If required, ensure that you request your final, official documents to be sent to the Office of the Registrar directly from the issuing institution by the due date as posted on our website.

We anticipate that in most cases, final and official transcripts will be available, and we will use these final grades as presented. However, if your final documentation is not available due to school closures or exam cancellations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Alberta will accept the grades and interim documents submitted to date in order to meet offer conditions.

All in-person events have been cancelled until June 30, however the University of Alberta is offering a number of virtual events as replacement. Check out Online Events for information on other virtual events happening for prospective high school students and for other upcoming online events.

The University of Alberta is also now offering one-on-one virtual advising sessions for prospective high school students. Chat with an advisor and learn about program options, admission requirements, and the application process. Learn more and book your advising session here.

Attend one of our upcoming online Student Loan 101 Workshops where our expert staff will walk you through the process of applying for a student loan. Follow along with our presentation while you work on your own student loan application from home!

There will not be in-person final examinations and not all courses include a final exam. As is usual practice, the specifics around how you will be assessed will be available to you in the course outline provided by your instructor.

If your course includes a remotely proctored final examination, you will be given more information about what kind of technology is required to write that exam. Supports will be available for students as final examination requirements are clarified by instructors.

Aside from tuition, (undergraduate and graduate), Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees for students enrolled in Spring and Summer 2020 terms will be assessed only for services that students are able to access, including those services that are currently being provided remotely.

Examples:

1. Students will not be assessed the Athletic and Recreation Fee or the PAW Centre Fee, as the university athletics facilities and services will be closed in compliance with public health directives.
2. Students will not be assessed a U-Pass fee for Spring 2020 as transit is currently being offered for free. The status of the U-Pass fee for Summer 2020 is unknown at this time.

There will not be in-person final examinations and not all courses include a final exam. As is usual practice, the specifics around how you will be assessed will be available to you in the course outline provided by your instructor.

If your course includes a remotely proctored final examination, you will be given more information about what kind of technology is required to write that exam. Supports will be available for students as final examination requirements are clarified by instructors.

Aside from tuition, (undergraduate and graduate), Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees for students enrolled in Spring and Summer 2020 terms will be assessed only for services that students are able to access, including those services that are currently being provided remotely.

Examples:

1. Students will not be assessed the Athletic and Recreation Fee or the PAW Centre Fee, as the university athletics facilities and services will be closed in compliance with public health directives.
2. Students will not be assessed a U-Pass fee for Spring 2020 as transit is currently being offered for free. The status of the U-Pass fee for Summer 2020 is unknown at this time.

See Non-Instructional Fees for more information.

You will be able to order your textbooks and course materials through the UAlberta Bookstore for in-person pick up or to be shipped. Please check their website for information on these options. 

For RESP forms, you can download a Verification of Enrollment document from your Bear Tracks account, once you are registered in courses for the Fall and Winter term. For instructions, please visit our website but note will not be able to complete these forms through mail as we are only working remotely.

For other requests, you can submit a scanned copy for completion through the Student Connect Contact Form.

For Alberta part-time loan application forms: complete all sections, excluding SIN information, your personal mailing address, date of birth, emergency contact section, you (and your partner's signature if applicable) and any section to be completed by Office of the Registrar staff, and send in a scanned copy. Once we fill out the form, we will send it back to you with instructions on how to submit the application, as we are not able to submit it on your behalf.

For all other forms: complete the form with ALL required personal information and signatures, leave any sections to be completed by Office of the Registrar staff blank, and submit a scanned copy through the Student Connect Contact Form. We will fill out our section of the form and submit it on your behalf.