Post-secondary

In this section you will learn about the post-secondary education options available to you in Alberta. Programs are offered by universities, public colleges, private colleges, technical institutes, private vocational schools and Community Adult Learning Councils. The training you want will determine your choice of program.

Alberta’s post-secondary system has a total of 28 institutions, including six universities, two technical institutes, 12 public colleges, seven private university colleges that receive public funding, and the Banff Centre which is a learning centre dedicated to the arts and leadership development.

About 250,000 students are enrolled in the public post-secondary education system. Many private and religious educational institutions also serve Alberta.

Choosing a school

Before enrolling in any post-secondary program, it is important to find out:

• What employers in Alberta think about the program
• What the entrance requirements are
• How much it costs (tuition, supplies and books)
• How long the program takes to complete 

Schools and programs have different entrance requirements as well as different costs. To be admitted to some programs, you must have a high school diploma – or an equivalent combination of education and experience – and a minimum average in specified high school courses. Entrance requirements for similar programs at different institutions may not be the same.

The Government of Canada’s Guide for International Students is designed for foreign students who want to study in Canada at a post-secondary level.  It will help you find a program, calculate the costs and find student visa information.

Explore Alberta’s post secondary schools and programs at Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS).

Universities

Universities offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare people for work of a theoretical nature and work in fields such as business, law or medicine. There are six degree-granting universities in Alberta:

University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Lethbridge
Athabasca University
Grant MacEwan University
Mount Royal University

Athabasca University is a distance learning university. Students study written and audiovisual lessons, and submit assignments by mail or online.

Private colleges

Private colleges offer certificate, diploma, academic upgrading, university transfer, continuing education and accredited degree programs at the university level. They often are affiliated with a religious organization.

Technical institutes

Technical institutes offer certificate, diploma, and applied degree, apprenticeship and continuing education programs. Most courses are related to trades or technical work. There are two institutes of technology in Alberta: NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Edmonton and SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Calgary. 

Vocational schools

Private vocational schools are licensed under the Private Vocational Schools Act. These schools provide training for specific occupations such as auctioneer, bartender, model or computer-aided drafting technician.

Apprenticeship training

Apprenticeship training is a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training in a trade. In Alberta, over 50 trades (cook, baker, hairstylist, electrician, plumber, agricultural mechanic, machinist, etc.) have apprenticeship training programs.

Community adult learning

Community Adult Learning Councils offer or support part-time, non-credit adult learning opportunities including adult literacy and English as a Second Language classes. Find out more about Community-Based Adult Learning from Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.

Date Updated: Oct 27, 2010
RDP:1194