Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Applicants should hold a four-year bachelor degree in chemistry, or its equivalent, from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, or expect to complete the requirements for such a degree before beginning graduate work. A minimum admission grade point average of 3 on most 4-point grading systems or B on most letter grading systems, based on your most recent two years of full time study (or equivalent) is required.

Grading systems differ among universities. The minimum requirements by country stipulated by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) are:

Canada and United States

  • 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale (University of Alberta grading system)
  • approximately 75%
  • B (second class)

United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand

  • upper second class honours degree

Other Countries

Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Alberta. All applicants must be proficient in English prior to admission. Applicants with degrees/qualifications from certain countries or universities are exempt from the English language requirements. See the exemption list. If your institution isn't on the exemption list but the medium of instruction is in English, a letter from the institute indicating the medium of instruction is in English is required. Or English language proficiency is demonstrated by a satisfactory score on one of the following English language examinations:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT, in-person or special at-home edition) Total score of 90 with a score of at least 21 on each of the individual skill areas.
  • Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5, with at least 6.0 on each test band.
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) Overall 70 with at least 60 on each subtest.
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 61 with a minimum band score of 60.
  • For students in a region impacted by Pearson, IELTS, or TOEFL test centre closures due to COVID-19, the department will temporarily accept the Duolingo English Test (taken after February 1, 2020) as one of the ways to meet our English Language Proficiency requirements for Fall 2024 admission.  Minimum Duolingo English Test score required by University of Alberta is as follows:
    • Minimum overall score of 115, with no subscore below 95.

This is important. Your Graduate Teaching Assistantship is your main source of income, so you must meet the Department of Chemistry's minimum standards.