Deadlines & FAQ

Documentation Deadlines

It is strongly recommended that students apply by the dates listed below to ensure that they are considered for scholarship opportunities and to allow sufficient time for the processing of study permits and visa applications.

U.S. and International Applicants

  • February 1 for September admission

Canadian Applicants

  • February 1 for September admission.  We will continue to accept applications after the deadline from Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada that have completed a degree at a Canadian institution or have a degree in progress at a Canadian institution.  Email: gradadmission@chem.ualberta.ca to apply.

FAQ

If the answer to your question is not listed below, please email gradadmission@chem.ualberta.ca.

Applying to the Graduate Program

  • What are the minimum admission requirements for applying for graduate studies?
  • Is a Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) test score required in order to apply?
  • Do I have to find a supervisor in order to apply?
  • How much background in chemistry is required?
  • Will a degree in a related field (e.g. Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacy, Physics) be acceptable for application to your program?
  • What is considered an acceptable document to be uploaded?
  • How is my application reviewed and how long does it take?
  • My application for graduate studies was accepted. When will I receive my admission letter?
  • What happens to my admission if I have problems obtaining official documents?
  • My application was rejected. When can I re-apply?

Programs of Study

  • What degrees are offered?
  • Do I need to complete a masters degree before I can enrol in the PhD program?
  • How long does each degree take to complete?
  • Can I change my program of study once I'm enrolled?

English Language Proficiency Requirements

  • Do I need to take an English proficiency test?
  • English is the language of instruction at my university. Do I need to take a test?
  • My university isn't on the list of exemptions but English was the language of instruction. Do I still need to take a test?
  • What happens to my admission if I have problems meeting the English language proficiency requirements?

Tuition, Financial Support, and Scholarships

  • What are the tuition fees?
  • Will I be getting a teaching assistantship (TA)?
  • How long will I be guaranteed funding?

Applying to the Graduate Program

What are the minimum admission requirements for applying for graduate studies?
An 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 for North American applicants. For international requirements, please see this list.

Is a Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) test score required in order to apply?
The department does not require applicants to submit a GRE test score.

Do I have to find a supervisor in order to apply?
You do not have to find a supervisor in order to apply. The Department has a process in place for students to find a supervisor and join a research group once they arrive to start their program. However, it is recommended for applicants to contact Chemistry faculty members whose areas of research are of interest to you.

How much background in chemistry is required?
Applicants should have one year of academic experience in each of the following fields of chemistry: organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical.

Will a degree in a related field (e.g. Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacy, Physics) be acceptable for application to your program?

While the majority of our applicants hold a degree in Chemistry, there are several interdisciplinary programs that may draw applicants with degrees in related subject areas. Examples would include Chemical Biology and Chemical Physics, where students may hold degrees in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology or Physics, respectively. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their background with potential supervisors and describe how this will fit into a degree program at the University of Alberta in their Statement of Purpose.

What is considered an acceptable document to be uploaded?
Please read the Application Requirements for Academic Documents.

How is my application reviewed and how long does it take?
Once your completed application is submitted and all letters of reference have been received, it will be forwarded to the Chemistry Graduate Admissions Committee for review. The review process can take several weeks, or longer during peak processing times. During this period, please refrain from contacting the Chemistry Graduate Office regarding the status of your application. Once a decision has been made you will be notified of the result by email. We appreciate your patience during this period.

My application for graduate studies was accepted. When will I receive my admission letter?
The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) takes approximately 2 weeks to process admission letters. Applications can take longer to process in times of peak demand. A secure PDF version of the official admission letter is uploaded to the Applicant Portal. A hard copy is not issued.

What happens to my admission if I have problems obtaining official documents?
If obtaining an official document is delayed due to the policies of other universities, they can be listed as a "condition" on the applicant's official admission letter. The applicant will have until the end of their first term to fulfil the condition. Conditions on an official admission letter will not affect study permit or visa applications.

My application was rejected. When can I re-apply?
We ask that rejected applicants take at least 1 year to improve their application through additional schooling or research experience. Please note that rejected PhD applicants should not apply to the MSc program or vice versa.

Programs of Study

What degrees are offered?
We offer MSc (Master of Science) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree programs. More information on each program is available on the programs of study page.

Do I need to complete a Master degree before I can enrol in the PhD program?
No. Students who have completed a BSc (or equivalent) can apply to either the MSc or PhD program. Students who have acquired a master degree (or equivalent) can apply to either the MSc or PhD program.

How long does each degree take to complete?
The length of degree can vary. On average, students require 5 years to complete the PhD program and 2.5 years to complete the MSc program.

Can I change my program of study once I'm enrolled?
Students in the MSc program may change categories and become enrolled in the PhD program after 1 year, subject to supervisor and committee approval.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Do I need to take an English proficiency test?
English proficiency is demonstrated by possession of a degree or its academic equivalent from an institution recognized by the University of Alberta and where the medium of instruction is English (proof that the instruction for the degree was in English will be required) OR by a satisfactory score on one of the following approved 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 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.
  • If you are in a region impacted by Pearson, IELTS, or TOEFL test centre closures due to COVID-19, the Duolingo English Test will be made available as an additional option to demonstrate English Language Proficiency.  The Department of Chemistry will accept this option through the 2028-29 admission cycle.  Minimum Duolingo English Test score required is as follows:
    • Minimum overall score of 120, with no subscore below 100.

English is the language of instruction at my university. Do I need to take a test?
GPS makes exemptions for certain countries and institutions where English is recognized as the official language of instruction. For more information, please see the GPS exemption list. If you have completed or will complete a degree from a Country or Institution on the exemption list you do not have to submit an English language proficiency test score.

My university isn't on the list of exemptions but English was the medium of instruction. Do I still need to take a test?
If your institution is not on the exemption list, we will require an official letter from your institution stating that your entire degree program was taught in English. If you submit an English is the medium of instruction letter, you do not have to submit an English language proficiency test score.

What happens to my admission if I have problems meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements?
The department may consider achieving an acceptable English language proficiency result a condition of admission that must be satisfied prior to the start of the program. The department will honour the admission decision for 1 year. The admission can be deferred to the next available session if necessary. This is done on an exceptional basis only. The applicant should have an English language proficiency test result to report when applying for admission.

Tuition, Financial Support, and Scholarships

What are the tuition fees?
The University of Alberta offers a different framework for tuition and fees based on the year the student is admitted.  Further information can be found on the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.

Will I be getting a teaching assistantship?
You do not have to apply for a teaching assistantship. All graduate students that are admitted are offered a full time teaching assistantship. The minimum annual stipend, based on a full-time teaching assistantship is approximately $29,250.

Students holding major scholarships may receive a reduced teaching load depending on the terms and conditions of the award.

How long will I be guaranteed funding?
Students in the MSc program are guaranteed funding for 2 years plus four (4) months total and PhD students are guaranteed funding for 5 years total. The funding can be from any combination of a Teaching or Research Assistantship and/or scholarship.