Post Secondary Publicly funded colleges

Technical Institutes

Alberta's publicly funded colleges may offer academic upgrading, job readiness, apprenticeship, certificate, diploma, university transfer, baccalaureate and applied degree programs.

Alberta also has two technical institutes that offer programs tailored to workplace requirements. Technical institutes may offer certificate, diploma, baccalaureate and applied degree, apprenticeship and continuing education programs.

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Alberta College of Art and Design Bow Valley College Fairview College (NAIT as of July 1, 2004) Grande Prairie Regional College Grant MacEwan College Keyano College Lakeland College Lethbridge College Medicine Hat College Mount Royal College NorQuest College Northern Lakes College Olds College Portage College Red Deer College

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Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Universities Main campuses for Alberta's three campusbased universities are located in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge. There is also one distance-learning university located in Athabasca. The four universities offer a wide range of undergraduate degree programs as well as a comprehensive range of graduate studies. The universities are responsible for the majority of research undertaken within the province's post -secondary system.    

Athabasca University University of Alberta University of Calgary University of Lethbridge

Private Colleges accredited to grant degrees Alberta has seven private colleges accredited to grant specific academic degrees at the university level. The Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) reviews all proposals for new degree programs from both public and private institutions to ensure they are of high quality before they are approved. The Council also conducts periodic evaluations of approved degree programs to ensure that quality standards continue to be met.       

Ambrose University College (Formerly Alliance University College and Nazarene University College) Canadian University College Concordia University College of Alberta DeVry Institute of Technology-Calgary The King's University College St. Mary's University College Taylor University College and Seminary

The Banff Centre The Banff Centre is a publicly-funded institution that provides advanced continuing education opportunities in fine arts, management studies, language training and environmental training for people who already have academic credentials and/or professional experience in their discipline.

Private vocational schools There are over 140 private training institutions in Alberta that offer programs licensed under the Private Vocational Schools Act. These institutions offer vocational training that is designed to provide graduates with an occupation capable of providing a person with a livelihood. For information on how programs at private vocational schools are licensed, contact the private institutions branch of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.

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Choosing your university Choosing the right university for you is an important step. The institution that you choose will not only be the one that grants you your academic credentials, it will also be where you live, learn, play sports, socialize and work for several years. Therefore, before you start filling out those university application forms, consider the many variables that affect the “fit” of a university to your unique personality and educational goals. Take a look at the following factors, and decide which ones mean the most to you.

Admission requirements Once you’ve gone through the process of deciding what you would like to study, one of the main questions you’ll ask yourself is whether you can get into a certain program, and so you’ll need to check the prerequisites. Make sure you have the required high school credits and that you meet other criteria for your program of choice. Entering class averages vary from year to year, and some universities may provide cutoff ranges on their websites. Many times, you will be reviewed on more than just your marks. For some programs, like fine art or journalism, you’ll need to supply a portfolio. Others will ask you to write a statement about your interests, abilities and career plans. You can check the individual university websites for admission details, or speak with a guidance counsellor for help.

Program availability Make sure the university offers the program you want – you can check program listings in this directory, or online at www.aucc.ca/can_uni/search/index_e.html. Remember that your first year is often a time to try a variety of courses, and then choose the area in which you want to specialize. You could try new fields of study that aren’t available in high school – courses like astronomy, philosophy or international studies. Be sure to find out about the process for switching majors if you change your mind, as many students do after first year.

Course content Have a look at the university calendars and read the individual course outlines. You can also compare how individual programs are designed by different universities (such as course components), the structure of courses (is it group work or exam-based?) and the flexibility offered each year in terms of what students can choose to study. 3

Size of the university Do you want a small university, where most of the students are undergraduates and live on campus? Alternatively, would you prefer a larger university, with access to a greater range of facilities and programs? Class size and your study preferences should also be considered.

Location of university Do you want a university that’s downtown in a big city, close to restaurants and shopping? Or would you prefer to be on a campus that’s a world unto itself, set apart from the city? Your budget and a city’s cost of living (for food, rent and social activities) will affect your decision.

Reputation A university’s reputation continues to be a major factor in how students choose where to study. That said, choosing a university should not be done solely on reputation, but also take the academic programs and overall environment into consideration. Be aware that reputations are sometimes out of date or overstated, so first-hand experience is often beneficial. Prospective students can visit the campuses of their top university choices and spend some time talking with current students and getting a feel for the campus. Try to get a sense of how you’d see yourself living in that particular place for three or four years.

Cost The costs associated with attending university go well beyond tuition fees to include housing, food, books, supplies, and personal living expenses. These costs are different depending upon the type of program, type of university and the size and location of the school.

Distance away from home While it’s great to go away to university, living at home is much more affordable. If you’re going away, figure out how far you’re willing to travel. Remember that being far from home may have some benefits, but it also means you’re less likely to see your friends and family often during the school year, and get ready for at least a small dose of home-sickness.

Housing On-campus or off-campus? Single or shared apartment? Roommates or private room? What is a meal plan? There are a lot of factors when it comes to housing, and you should look into the options at the university that you are considering. Universities can provide assistance with finding accommodations and answering questions through their student services. 4

Athletics If sports are important to you, make sure that your chosen university offers the sport in which you’re interested. You’ll find a listing of all varsity and recreational sports in each university listing of their Directory. Many universities offer not only varsity-level (competitive) sports teams, but teams at all ranges of competitive ability, from the most basic beginner to competitive leagues among residences.

Student life What kinds of clubs and facilities does the university have? If you’re hoping to hone your journalism skills, make sure there is an on-campus newspaper or radio station. Will you need day care on campus? Are you interested in a special interest club? (e.g. ethnic groups, political groups, theatre, debating, groups for lesbian or gay students) Check out whether there are opportunities to volunteer on campus, if you’re hoping to become involved in more than just academics. And if school spirit is important to you, remember that all universities are not alike in this respect. If you’re hoping to paint your face for football games, make sure the university you pick has a high level of ―fan participation.‖

Scholarships and financial assistance Many universities now have scholarship grids, which are incremental charts that guarantee entrance scholarships to incoming students based on their high school final marks. Don’t hesitate to ask about the scholarships available, and also check out other forms of assistance like special work-study programs or job opportunities that may be available for students who need to earn some extra money.

There are also a host of other factors that may be important to you, so ask about things like teachers, career preparation services, co-op availability, student services such as exam preparation and study skills workshops, orientation programs, and graduate programs and research. Once you’ve identified the factors that are most important to you, you’ve taken the first steps to making a successful choice. And remember, while your parents, guidance counsellors, teachers and friends will give you lots of good advice, the ultimate decision is up to you. Make sure you pick a university that will serve your needs throughout your university career. 5

STEPS TO HELP YOU WHEN CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Choose a specific program, faculty or trade Check out which colleges/universities offer the courses Apply to at least 3 institutions that offer the programs you want Check entrance requirements Check for specific prerequisites (grade 11/12 courses) Check for any special entrance requirements beyond the required courses Look to see if you need to write and entrance test (LPI for university and Math or English assessment for trades) 8. Apply as soon as you know what and where you might wish to go. Note: Deadlines differ between colleges/universities—check web sites. 9. Applications may be completed online (web) or by application forms which you can download from your computer or check in the school counseling office. 10. Leave no gaps on applications (use N/A) if need be 11. Watch for wait lists so apply to several college/universities 12. Include non refundable application fee with each application—this can cost anywhere from $30-$100. Payable by credit card or certified cheque 13. When asked for your transcript indicate ―PSI form completed‖ indicating that all institutes have access to your marks. 14. If not using PSI marks confirmation system, send in your own official transcript from the school. 15. Know your SIN (Social Insurance Number) and PEN (Personal Education Number) which is found on your report card. 16. Include any other documents asked for (keep photo copies) 17. Student Loan Information: Canada Student Loans Program (http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/ en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/cslp.shtml ) 18. For information about scholarships, bursaries, grants, or work study positions, visit: Student Awards website (http://www.studentawards.com/) Scholarship Canada website (http://www.scholarshipscanada.com) 19. You may be asked to attend an interview…don’t forget!! 20. If you need to apply for housing do so when you send in your application 21. Keep a record of all your transactions/dates of correspondence sent and any other information in a separate file folder. 22. Be patient…processing often takes several weeks 6