FAQ for Current and Prospective Students

Current Students

Q. I am a current student on Study Permit with Ukrainian citizenship, what financial support is available to me?

As a current study permit student with Ukrainian citizenship, you will be charged the domestic tuition rate instead of the international tuition rate for the duration of your program, if you came to the university via the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Tuition rates vary by program. Find domestic and international rates for your program.

You will also have access to international need-based support (student bursaries) based on your financial need. Applications to bursaries will open in the Summer of 2023.

If you are facing financial challenges prior to the start of the Fall 2023 term, please email bursaries@ualberta.ca.

Q. How can I receive the domestic tuition rate?

You must confirm your CUAET status to receive the domestic tuition rate. In order to confirm your CUAET status with the University of Alberta, please submit your Study Permit or any other document indicating your CUAET status to the Student Service Centre. Your CUAET designation must be noted on the submitted document. You can securely submit your document via the Student Service Portal or come in person during our business hours. If you choose to submit it through the portal, please follow the following steps:

Log into the portal here
Click on “Submit Student Services General Inquiry”
Select “Student General Enquiry”
What do you need help with: “Ukraine Support”
Complete the form; Under “My Question is about” select “General Inquiry” and attach your document.

Q: I am a current student with Russian or Belarusian citizenship. What financial supports are available to me?

As a current international student, you are eligible to apply for bursary funding. The bursary application for the 2023-24 academic year will open in the Summer of 2023. Please email bursaries@ualberta.ca if you have any additional questions.

Prospective Students

As we continue to watch the devastation occurring in Ukraine, the University of Alberta has a particular responsibility to respond. We understand that finances may be a significant barrier for applicants seeking admission into the university.

Prospective students joining the university in the 2025-26 year through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program will be charged the domestic tuition rate instead of the international tuition rate for the duration of their program. U of A is one of only a few universities in Canada to offer CUAET students domestic tuition rates, which is a 70-80% reduction, depending on the program, from the international tuition rates. The application fee will not be waived.

Incoming students on the CUAET program will not be provided with additional need-based financial support to cover costs (including tuition, textbooks, living expenses, and other costs students may incur). We encourage you to apply for the entrance merit-based scholarships and awards.

Applications

Q. I am a Ukrainian citizen impacted by the conflict in Ukraine and wondering if the University of Alberta can help me in any way.

Prospective students joining the university in the 2025-26 year through the CUAET program will be charged the domestic tuition rate instead of the international tuition rate for the duration of their program.

Q: Are there supports available for non-Ukrainian citizens who have been impacted?

Non-Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war from vulnerable communities can apply to come to Canada through other immigration streams.

How you can immigrate to Canada

The Canadian government has assessed that international students with citizenship other than Ukrainian (who have fled Ukraine) can return to their country of citizenship. Interested persons can apply to study in Canada as international students. See Government of Canada Study in Canada website and start your search with the EduCanada search tool.

Q. I don’t have access to my final and official transcripts or documents required for admissions. Can I still be admitted?

If you are offered admission, official transcripts and documents will be required. We understand that it may not be possible for you to get them, so we will make exceptions where possible. In order to assess your application, we will require a copy of your transcript, translations and course descriptions, and you will need to meet the English language requirements.

Graduate students will need to meet specific English Language Proficiency requirements, as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

Q: I am not able to submit my Ukrainian documents with official translations into English, what are my options?

Official translations of your transcripts and documents are required.

Q: I planned to take an ELP test but now won’t be able to — is there any flexibility on this requirement?

You must meet the English language requirements in order to be admitted. The University of Alberta accepts the online versions of ELP tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo.

Graduate students will need to meet specific English Language Proficiency requirements, as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

Q: My ELP test score is slightly below the requirement and I am not sure I will be able to retake the test — is there any flexibility on this requirement?

The University of Alberta will accept new test scores. You must meet the English language requirements in order to be admitted.

Graduate students will need to meet specific English Language Proficiency requirements, as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

Q: Are there any deadline extensions or exceptions for programs with closed applications?

There are no deadline extensions or exceptions for undergraduate or graduate programs.

Q: I am a displaced professional program student (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, etc.) — is there any opportunity to apply to transfer my studies to UAlberta?

The University of Alberta Medicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery (Advanced Placement) programs are only open to those with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.

The University of Alberta Doctor of Dental Surgery program accepts applications from international applicants however there are restrictions for non-resident applicants. Dentistry students are not eligible for the tuition waiver.

Applications for admissions to Fall 2023 opened in July 2022. Please note, Medicine & Dentistry do not accept transfer applicants.

Q: Will professional programs for Fall 2023 such as the Juris Doctor program offer application fee waivers?

No, professional programs such as the Juris Doctor program will not offer application fee waivers for Fall 2023.

Immigration and Study Permits

Q: How does the immigration/study permit process work?

The Government of Canada had created the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) to help Ukrainians and their family members to come to Canada. The deadline to apply for a visa under the CUAET measures was July 15, 2023 . If you’re Ukrainian national or a family member of a Ukrainian national and want to apply for a visitor visa to enter Canada after July 15, 2023, you can apply through the regular process.

If you applied to come to Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) on or before July 15, 2023, you must travel to Canada by March 31, 2024, to be eligible for in-Canada measures under the CUAET.

Students who are currently outside Canada must submit a Study Permit application to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as soon as they receive an Offer of Admission from the University of Alberta. Detailed information about the Study Permit application process can be found on our website.

Ukrainian nationals who were approved for CUAET and will enter Canada before March 31, 2024

Students who possess a Letter of Acceptance issued by the University of Alberta and financial support documents to cover the cost of their tuition fee and living cost for one year may request the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer to process their study permit application upon their arrival in Canada at a Port of Entry (i.e. at the first airport in Canada). Those who may not receive their Study Permits at the POE must apply online once they are inside Canada. Please note: a valid study permit is required to start your undergraduate or graduate level study program in Canada.

Ukrainian nationals who entered Canada under the CUAET, may apply for a study permit inside Canada by following the instructions on the IRCC web page listed below.

Get more information on the study permit application process.

Once you have been admitted and have accepted admission to a program of study at the University of Alberta that is longer than 6 months, please connect with an International Student Specialist for assistance with your study permit application process. You will need your acceptance letter and documentation of financial support from the institution.

The University of Alberta is not able to provide any additional documentation or letters of support for immigration purposes at this time.

Fees and Tuition

Q: If I am admitted to the University of Alberta, am I guaranteed a full tuition waiver and funding to support living costs?

No. Instead, prospective students joining the university in the 2025-26 year through the CUAET program will be charged the domestic tuition rate instead of the international tuition rate for the duration of their program. The U of A is one of only a few universities in Canada to offer CUAET students domestic tuition rates, which is a 70-80% reduction, depending on the program, from the international tuition rates. The application fee will not be waived.

Q. If I am admitted to the University of Alberta, how can I receive the domestic tuition rate?

In order to confirm your CUAET status with the University of Alberta, please submit your Study Permit or any other document indicating your CUAET status to the Student Service Centre. Your CUAET designation must be noted on the submitted document. You can securely submit your document via the Student Service Portal or come in person during our business hours. If you choose to submit it through the portal, please follow the following steps:

Log into the portal here
Click on “ Submit a General Inquiry”
Select “ Student General Enquiry"- "Other Registrar Services”
Topic: Select “ Ukraine Support”
Complete the form and attach your document.

Q. If I have been offered an award from the university, will this impact my eligibility for the domestic tuition rate?

No, domestic tuition rate is unaffected by any awards offers.

Q: Will Open Studies students be eligible for the domestic tuition rate?

Open Studies students will be eligible for domestic tuition, provided you supply a document that notes your participation in the CUAET program.

Students admitted into Open Studies normally have a maximum of 6 units per term and are not enrolled in a specific degree or diploma program. Open Studies may not be the best choice to start your university career; students planning to enter a degree program should consult with an academic advisor before attempting coursework through Open Studies.

Q: I am living and studying in Ukraine but am not a Ukrainian citizen, will the domestic tuition rate be available to me?

The domestic tuition rate is only available to students admitted to an undergraduate or graduate program with Ukrainian citizenship on a study permit, or other citizenships, if they are a family member of the Ukrainian citizen and arrived to Canada under the CUAET program .

Q: What financial aid is available for me if I am a current student on a study permit?

Continuing undergraduate students are eligible to apply for continuing awards and bursaries.

Continuing graduate students can check eligibility for Graduate Awards and Scholarships.

Scholars

Postdoctoral fellows, academic visitors, and visiting students can reach out to pdfo@ualberta.ca