University in Canada
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
University profile
St. Mary's University is a Catholic liberal arts and sciences university in southeast Calgary, Alberta, at 14500 Bannister Road SE, on Treaty 7 territory. It is grounded in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, is open to students of all faiths, and describes its mission as educating the whole person (mind, body and spirit) to prepare engaged, global citizens. Its motto, In lumine tuo videbimus lumen (Psalm 36:9), means "In your light we shall see light". Its stated vision is to be Canada's leading Catholic university. The university is a member of Universities Canada.
Undergraduate programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, with subjects including Biology, English, History, Liberal Studies, General Studies, Psychology and Social Justice and Catholic Studies. Other routes include Open Studies, a Business Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility, a Flexible Entry Pathway, upgrading, a Pre-Law pathway, and transfer courses in 35 academic disciplines. Education is offered as a two-year Bachelor of Education after-degree (elementary and secondary streams), and at graduate level as a Master of Education with a Specialization in Catholic Leadership. Certificates include a Pastoral Certificate in Catholic Theological Studies.
Classes average 25 students. Student life includes Campus Ministry, the Prayer Guild, Indigenous Initiatives, STMU Drama, student clubs, the Student Legislative Council, and varsity athletics (teams compete as the Lightning). Support services include the Student Success Centre, academic support, mental health counselling, academic and career advising, new student orientation, and an Office of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Education. The campus has a library and a fitness centre, and a first student residence is being funded by donor gifts.
International students apply through apply.stmu.ca and need a study permit and Provincial Attestation Letter; students staying 12 months or more register with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Refugee applicants are admitted at domestic tuition once status is confirmed.
In 2025-26 the university disbursed $819,175 through 581 awards to 369 students. Scholarships reward academic achievement, bursaries are based on financial need (minimum 2.0 GPA) and awards are tied to subject areas or activities. Recipients generally carry 9 or more credits per term and keep a 2.0 GPA. Apply online by the deadline with supporting documents; reference letters go to [email protected]. Questions: [email protected]; financial difficulty: [email protected]. Scholarships and student awards.
Paid half in Fall and half in Winter. The Post-Secondary Transfer Scholarship is a one-time $1,000 for transfers with 30 or more credits and a 2.7 GPA.
Bachelor of Education awards include the Paul and Carol Hill B.Ed Scholarship ($16,000 over two years, 3.7 admission GPA), the Father Cyril Naphin Education Bursary ($5,500) and the Bishop Frederick B. Henry Education Entrance Scholarship ($2,000). M.Ed awards include four Serving Rural or Remote Areas Awards of $2,000. Graduating awards include the ATA Gold Medal in Education and the St. Mary's University Gold Medal (BA or BSc graduate with the highest cumulative GPA, minimum 3.50).
Alberta Athletic Awards ($1,800), Indigenous Careers Awards ($4,000), Louise McKinney Post-Secondary Scholarship ($2,500), Jason Lang Scholarship ($1,000) and the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship (up to $2,500) are administered with Alberta Student Aid; see Alberta Student Aid. Indigenous applicants should declare status on the admission application and may need proof of ancestry.
President's Entrance Scholarships →
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View scholarships for St. Mary's University (Calgary) →Arts and Science programs (BA, BSc, Open Studies, ESR Diploma, Transfer) admit under High School Standing, Special Admission, Post-Secondary Standing, Mature Standing, Out of Province, Home Educated, Visiting, Re-Admission or International categories.
A high school diploma with an overall average of 65% or higher on five 30-level subjects: English Language Arts 30-1 (required); three from Math 30-1 or 30-2, a 30-level language other than English, Aboriginal Studies 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Math 31, Physics 30, Science 30, Social Studies 30-1, Art 30 or 31, Music 30, Drama 30, Dance 35, Musical Theatre 35 or CTS Computing Science 30; and a fifth approved 5-credit 30-level course, two approved 3-credit 30-level courses averaged, or five 1-credit Advanced CTS courses from one occupational area. Courses below 50%, ELA 30-2, any 30-3 or 30-4 course, CALM and Special Projects 30 are not accepted. Equivalent courses from other provinces are accepted.
Applicants with a diploma and an average of 60 to 64.9% on five 30-level subjects, or 65% or higher on four subjects including ELA 30-1, are considered case by case (not for Bachelor of Education). Admission is on academic probation: maximum 9 credits in the first term, an advisor meeting, and a 2.0 GPA required or a one-year withdrawal follows.
Post-Secondary Standing requires at least 30 credit hours at another institution; a cumulative GPA below 2.0 leads to Special Admission with probation. Mature Standing requires age 21 by the start of the semester, Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, and English 30-1 or equivalent at 65% or a GED score of 525. Home educated applicants submit a non-family written recommendation and an academic portfolio with test scores (English 30-1 at 65%, GED 525 or SAT reasoning 925), a book list, writing samples from grades 9 to 12, awards and activities.
For direct-from-high-school students only in the year of graduation, with a minimum 75% admission average, completion of the BA/BSc within 5 years, and a 2.5 GPA on the last 30 credits. The cohort is capped and admission is competitive.
A two-year program with one Fall intake and no deferrals. Minimum 2.5 GPA on the most recent 30 undergraduate credits; first degree complete by the preceding Winter semester. Supporting documents: resume, two reference forms and transcripts. Elementary stream: a 3- or 4-year degree including two 3-credit English literature courses, one math or statistics, one science and one Canadian-content course. Secondary streams (English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics) require a 4-year degree with a teachable major or equivalent course sets and a 3-credit literature or Indigenous language course (not English Language Arts only).
Apply at apply.stmu.ca with a non-refundable $175 CAD application fee. Non-English documents need exact translation by a qualified translator, and an IQAS or WES assessment is recommended for foreign education. For BA, BSc, Open Studies, ESR and Transfer, English proficiency may be shown by TOEFL iBT 80 (no component below 19), IELTS Academic with no band below 6.0, Cambridge CAE/CPE 180, Michigan English Test 85, PTE Academic 59, CLB Level 8, or English 30-1 at 65%; applicants with full-time study in English at an accredited institution in an approved country may be exempt. For the BEd, IELTS Academic 8.0 with no band below 7.0, TOEFL iBT 98 (27 speaking, 25 writing, 23 listening, 23 reading) or Cambridge 200. A study permit, acceptance letter, passport and Provincial Attestation Letter are required, and applicants should start at least three months before the intended term. Refugee applicants apply through ApplyAlberta, identify as refugees and provide proof of status.
Apply online through ApplyAlberta (applyalberta.ca) with an Alberta.ca account; the domestic application fee is $100. Fall 2027: opens Oct 1, 2026, domestic close Aug 1, 2027, international close May 1, 2027 (classes begin Sep 8, 2027). Winter 2027: domestic Dec 31, 2026, international Oct 31, 2026 (classes Jan 6, 2027). Spring 2027: domestic Apr 30, 2027, international Feb 28, 2027 (classes May 3, 2027). BEd Fall 2027: opens Oct 1, 2026; domestic close Jul 1, 2027 with documents by Jul 31, 2027; international close May 1, 2027 with documents by May 31, 2027. A $200 non-refundable registration deposit accepts an offer. Complete applications are reviewed in about two weeks.
Spring 2027 intake only: applications open Jun 1, 2026; domestic deadline Mar 1, 2027; international deadline Feb 1, 2027.
Main campus, Calgary: 14500 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Alberta T2X 1Z4, where all programs are taught, near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers.
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