FAQ
Thank you for choosing the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Alberta. If there are any questions not addressed in the FAQs please contact ecegadm@ualberta.ca.
- Can I apply directly to the PhD degree program without a Masters degree?
- Am I admissible to a PhD program if I already have a PhD Degree?
3. What are the application deadline dates?
4. How do I apply to Graduate Studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering?
- How do I track the status of my application and documents?
- What documents are required?
- How will I be notified if offered admission?
- How will I be notified if I am refused?
- My Bear Tracks account says, "Pending," why?
- Can I start my program in the Spring or Summer?
- If I submit my application after the submission deadline, can I still get admission
- I would like to transfer to your program. Can I get credit for courses I have already taken?
5. Is there an application fee?
- How do I pay the application fee?
6. Do I need to take the English Language Proficiency test?
7. Is there financial support provided by the department?
- Do I need to apply for research or teaching assistantships?
- Are there other scholarships and awards a student can apply to?
- What are the tuition fees for international students?
8. How many students are recruited each year?
9. Where can I get information on off-campus residence?
- PhD Degree (Doctor of Philosophy) 3.3 point GPA requirement on a 4 point scale
- MSc Degree (Master of Science, Thesis-based program) 3 point GPA requirement on a 4 point scale
- MEng Degree (Master of Engineering, course-based program) 3.7 to 3.8 point GPA requirement on a 4 point scale.
Can I apply directly to the PhD degree program without a Masters degree?
The Department will normally not accept a student who has not completed a Masters degree into the PhD Program. Normally only students holding a masters degree or equivalent would be accepted. We would allow a master student to transfer into a PhD program without completing the master program if the student has an excellent academic record and has demonstrated good potential to carry out PhD level research. In very rare cases, for a student with only a bachelor degree but with outstanding academic record, and has demonstrated research potential, we may accept the student into the PhD program.
Am I admissible to a PhD program if I already have a PhD degree?
The U of A policy is "Applicants will not be admissible to a doctoral degree program at the University of Alberta if they have previously obtained a similar or identical degree.". This means that you are not admissible to a PhD program in our department if you have a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or a closely related field. Contact the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) if you are not certain about whether your PhD degree is considered to be in a closely related field.
2. What are the minimum admission requirements for applying to graduate studies in the Department of ECE?
MSc: A minimum admission grade point average of 3.0 on most 4-point grading systems, or a B on most letter grading systems.
PhD Program: A minimum admission grade point average of 3.3 on most 4-point grading systems, or a B+ on most letter grading systems.
MEng: A minimum admission grade point average of 3.0 on most 4-point grading systems.
Please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the MINIMUM academic requirements for both Canadian and International Students. GPA calculations are based on the last two full years of an academic program.
3. What are the application deadline dates?
Application submission deadline dates are strictly enforced. These are the deadline dates that an application form and all supporting documents (including references) must be received by in order to be considered for admission. Potential applicants are strongly advised to apply early. Applications must be submitted BEFORE the close date
| MEng | MSc & PhD | |
| Fall |
International: March 15th Canadian: May 1st |
International: May 1st Canadian: June 1st |
| Winter | No Winter applications |
International: August 1st Canadian: September 1st |
4. How do I apply to Graduate Studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering?
Create a brand new application using the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research application. When filling out FGSR's application enter ALL post-secondary education taken, this includes any transfer credit courses from other institutions, do not leave out any education. The application will be incomplete if there is missing information in the education section.
How do I track my documents?
Application status and document status can be checked using the FGSR applicant portal. Please DO NOT refer to Bear Tracks.
What documents should be uploaded to FGSR application?
- Original transcripts in both English and your original language.
- Original graduation degree certificates in both English and your original language.
If applying from India or Pakistan we require individual mark sheets we do not accept the consolidated mark sheet.
- Three academic letters of reference.
- Proof of English Language in the form of a TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL or MELAB, PTE (see English Language Requirements here.)
- Curriculum Vitae and Personal Statement (The personal statement is only required for PhD applications).
How will I be notified if I am offered admission?
If you are offered admission, you will first receive an offer letter from the department, and then you will receive an admission letter from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research via the applicant portal.
How will I be notified if my application is refused?
You will receive an email directly from the FGSR application portal.
Can I start my program in the Spring or Summer?
No. We do not offer graduate courses over the Spring or Summer. If, however, your supervisor wants you to start in the Spring or Summer, you can start as a research assistant in his/her lab.
If I submit my application after the submission deadline, can I still get admission?
No.
I would like to transfer to your program. Can I get credit for courses I have already taken?
Students apply to the program, and if accepted would have to request a review of your transcript, in writing, by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies or the MEng Program Coordinator who will then approve whether or not any courses may be transferred. Only two courses if approved can be transferred to a graduate program.
5. Is there an Application Fee?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $135 (CDN).
How do I pay the Application Fee?
A credit card is required to pay the application fee.
6. Do I need to take the English language proficiency test?
Possession of a degree or its academic equivalent from an institution recognized by the University of Alberta and where the language of instruction is English. Proof that the instruction for the degree was in English will be required; or a satisfactory score on one of the following approved English language examinations:
- a minimum TOEFL score of 92 (Internet-based) with at least 21 in each section or equivalent;
- an overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS with at least 6.0 on each band;
- a minimum overall score of 70 on the CAEL with at least 60 on each subtest;
- a minimum overall score of 62 on PTE Academic with a minimum band score of 60;
- a minimum score of 120 in total on Duolingo with each subscore no less than 100
For further information on the English language requirement please go to our English Language Requirements page or check out the English Language Proficiency Requirements found on the FGSR web site.
Are there certain countries or international universities who would be exempt from taking the English language proficiency test?
Yes, please see our exemption list.
Can I get a conditional admission and then take my English language proficiency test?
No, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires proof of the minimum required score on an English test before being considered for graduate studies admission.
Is the GRE Test Required?
No, we do not require this test.
What is the Institution code and Department code for sending in the TOEFL test from ETS?
The Institution Code is 0963.
7. Is there financial support provided by the department?
Yes, the department will provide financial support to all successful candidates to our MSc and PhD programs.
Do I need to apply for research or teaching assistantships?
All MSc and PhD students are given a research assistantship by their supervisor when they are accepted into the program. Teaching assistantships are available but not for the first term of studies and students will need to apply.
Students are notified via email when to apply for teaching assistantships.
Are there other scholarships and awards a student can apply to?
The Department encourages students to apply for scholarships, fellowships, awards, and grants both internally and externally. For more information about awards, scholarships, loans, and/or bursaries outside of the Faculty of Engineering, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
What are the tuition fees for international students?
The tuition framework for International students can be found here.
8. How many students are recruited each year?
Approximately 90-150 are recruited each year. We receive a large number of applications each year (~1000) but there are only a limited number of places available. Acquisition of the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee a position in our graduate program.
9. Where can I get information on off-campus residence?
Visit Find a Place to Live.