Foundation Year

Foundation Year

Why study this program?

All Honors programs in the Faculty of Arts require one year of study in the Foundation Year prior to admission and applicants must present a minimum of (*24) credits to be eligible to apply.


Why study a Bachelor of Arts with Honors?

Arts honors is designed to foster a tight-knit community of academic-minded undergraduate students who can come together to share ideas, work collaboratively, get mentorship from their upper-year peers, and access more specialized supports from their department and faculty teams at every stage of their studies.

Taking part in an honors program is the best way to dip your toe into the research process, develop connections with professors and other academics in your field, and get a taste of what graduate school may have in store for you while completing your undergraduate degree. 

When combined with potential research projects, Honors students can narrow down an area of specialization much earlier than they would otherwise. If you’re looking to dig deeper into your field of study and make some lasting connections along the way, this might be the path for you!


Why study at the University of Alberta?

The Faculty of Arts boasts one of the most diverse Arts programs in Canada, offering top quality educational opportunities that prepare students for successful careers in every sector of society. With over 900 distinct courses in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, you will find an academic pathway for you. Your studies will be enhanced by the rich insights that our nationally and internationally recognized faculty members bring to the classroom through unique perspectives drawn from their research and advancement of human knowledge. Academic excellence, innovative problem-solving, and experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom, such as Community Service-Learning and Arts Work Experience programs, will give you the tools to thrive in a diverse and increasingly complex workplace.


Rhiannon is an Arts student majoring in Political Science and is a former Week of Welcome facilitator. She's also a Ukrainian dancer, a skincare expert, and a stylist.

Program Requirements

Non-Direct Entry

  • High School applicants are admitted to the BA Honors Foundation Year. Consideration for the BA Honors Foundation Year requires a minimum application average of 85% on the required five admission subjects outlined in Subject Requirements.
  • Students must complete an online Program Selection Form accessed through the Faculty of Arts website by the end of the first year of study (minimum 24 units of course weight) to indicate their preferred major(s). The minimum average requirements and any prerequisites are outlined in the Specific Admission Requirements to BA Honors Majors chart. Students are encouraged to complete the requirements for at least two majors in their Foundation Year.

Preprofessional Study Time: BA Honors Foundation Year

Minimum of ★24 units of transferable course weight required.

Consult the U of A Calendar for fields of study and appropriate  first-year course selection.

Admission Selection: For consideration, you need a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 with an average of 3.3 or better in your Honors subject courses; Competitive AGPA varies by field of study from 3.0-3.3.


Because the U of A wants you to succeed, our admissions policy ensures that all students, regardless of citizenship, have the language skills they need to understand, participate and learn in our classes. The primary language of instruction in our classes, with the exception of those at the Faculté Saint-Jean, is English. For more information on the English Language Proficiency policy refer to the U of A Calendar. Information on writing ELP examinations is also available.

At the U of A, we are committed to encouraging Indigenous Students in their work towards a degree. Indigenous students have been under-represented in higher education in Canada, thus our policy is aimed at increasing opportunity, with the goal of our Aboriginal student population being representative of the public we serve. For more information on Admission of Indigenous Students refer to the U of A Calendar.

Deadline

Fall application

Domestic: March 1, 2025
International: March 1, 2025

For a complete listing of application and document deadlines refer to the University Calendar.

View costs for:

The Office of the Registrar administers over $52 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for undergraduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.

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