There are many good reasons to consider
coming to Alberta for your post secondary studies. You will
find a wide range of high quality educational options throughout
the province, each offering academic programs in all fields
ranging from certificates and diplomas to baccalaureates,
masters' and PhDs. In addition, you can study in a province
known for its friendliness, safety, beauty, culture and
cutting edge technology.
Long known as Canada's 'energy province', Alberta has more
than 60% of the country's reserves of conventional crude
oil, 85% of its natural gas, 63% of its coal and all of
its heavy oil and oil sands reserves. For those students
interested in any area of study relating to energy, whether
it be at the level of applied technology, energy management,
engineering, earth sciences or related fields, it makes
sense to come to the province where it's happening!
Alberta's strong economic foundation was built on oil and
gas, agriculture, forestry and tourism. People from across
Canada and from all over the world have made their home
in Alberta, resulting in a dynamic, multicultural and energetic
province where international business thrives. Graduates
of Alberta universities, colleges and technical institutions
are working all over the world with internationally recognized
and respected credentials. Alberta-based companies are also
actively involved in activities across the globe.
Alberta's universities and over forty specialized research
centres work together to promote technology development
in areas ranging from telecommunications, microelectronics,
lasers, engineering research, agriculture and oil sands
technology to the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical
Research. This collaboration provides unique opportunities
for innovative research, particularly for graduate students
in all disciplines.
For those students whose first challenge is to improve
their competency in English, Alberta institutions offer
ESL courses ranging from long-term immersion to short-term
summer courses. Students have a wide variety of options
to choose from, and they can be sure that no matter which
one they choose, they will have the highest quality of instruction
and facilities.
Alberta offers students many choices. Transfer arrangements
between colleges and universities enable students in certain
courses to begin their studies at a college or technical
institution and transfer to a university to begin their
degree. This is particularly appealing for students who
may feel more comfortable beginning their studies in a smaller
institution, or who change career goals in the course of
their studies. All Alberta institutions will, of course,
equate foreign credentials to Alberta credentials when considering
admission. Some students prefer cosmopolitan centres such
as Calgary or Edmonton, both with populations of approximately
800,000 people, while others feel more comfortable in smaller
cities such as Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Red Deer or Medicine
Hat. For those who are looking for a more rural setting,
there are also several choices available. Wherever you are
coming from in the world, Alberta is easy to reach through
international airports to Calgary and Edmonton.
The diverse landscape of Alberta ranges from the majesty
rocky mountains, picturesque foothills, parkland and rolling
prairies, to spectacular badlands and remote northern forests.
Such geographic diversity offers a wide range of outdoor
recreational activities, from hiking in the mountains and
fishing in clear mountain lakes to photography, skiing,
skating, swimming, camping, boating, rock climbing and archaeological
expeditions in the badlands, home of the dinosaurs.
A few words about the weather! We know that many international
students imagine Canada as extremely cold, but sunny Alberta
receives more hours of sunshine than any other province
in Canada. The climate is dry, and there are four distinct
seasons, summer, fall, winter and spring. Even in the winter
when it can be cold, it is important to remember that all
buildings and housing are centrally heated, public transportation
is excellent, and warm winter clothing is reasonably priced.
International students usually love winter in Alberta because
of the numerous outdoor activities that are possible. Don't
forget, winter is only one season out of four, so don't
let your fear of the cold keep you away!
Canadian Public Institutions
Universities
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
The University of Lethbridge
Athabasca University (a distance learning institution)
Colleges
Alberta College of Art & Design (Calgary)
Fairview College
Grande Prairie Regional College
Grant MacEwan College (Edmonton)
Keyano College (Fort McMurray)
Lakeland College (Vermilion, Lloydminster)
Lethbridge Community College
Medicine Hat College
Mount Royal College (Calgary)
Olds College
Red Deer College
Technical Institutions
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (Edmonton)
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Calgary)
Author
Ruth Shapiro
University of Calgary
