Post-secondary education

Adults, young and old, take post-secondary education programs to improve their knowledge and skills. These programs are offered by universities, public colleges, private colleges, technical institutes, private vocational schools and Community Adult Learning Councils. The skills and knowledge you wish to acquire should determine your choice of program.

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 four universities in Alberta:

• The University of Alberta (in Edmonton).
• The University of Calgary.
• The University of Lethbridge.
• Athabasca University.

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

Public colleges offer certificate, diploma, academic upgrading, university transfer, apprenticeship, continuing education and applied degree programs.

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 offer certificate, diploma, 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.

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 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 Councils offer or support part-time, non-credit adult learning opportunities including adult literacy and English as a Second Language classes. For more information, see the Community Based Adult Learning section of the Alberta Advanced Education and Technology website or call 780-427-5624 in Edmonton or dial 310-0000 toll-free from elsewhere in Alberta, then enter 780-427-5624 after the prompt.

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.

Institutions 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.

For information about post-secondary institutions and programs:

• See the Learning section of the ALIS website.
   
• See the Alberta Advanced Education and Technology website.
   
• Call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 780-422-4266 in Edmonton or 1-800-661-3753 toll-free.
   
• Visit an Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre. For the centre nearest you, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline.
   
• Talk to a librarian at your local library.

Post-secondary study as an international student

If you are interested in studying as an international student at an Alberta post-secondary education institution, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service "Study in Alberta" website for more information.

Date Updated: Sep 30, 2008
RDP-582