University of Lethbridge

Canadian high school admission

Applicants need credit in five distinct senior high school courses (or equivalents), including one language arts course and at least four other courses, with a final admission average of at least 65%, calculated from the highest eligible course grades. Some programs have additional or higher requirements. AP and IB results can earn university credit if the AP/IB section of the application is completed and official transcripts are sent.

International applicants

Applicants with Alberta, other Canadian or other-country secondary credentials and no transferable university courses are assessed under the High School Admission Route; those with six or more transferable courses are assessed as post-secondary transfer students, and must submit a course outline (syllabus) for each course. Holders of three- or four-year degrees from recognized universities may be considered for a second bachelor's degree. A British-model qualification (for example Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone) requires at least five distinct courses, including at least three at Ordinary level and two at Advanced level, including English Language; all five are used to calculate the admission average. Zambia's school certificate requires credit passes or higher in English and four other subjects. Official transcripts from all schools attended are required; non-English documents need an official certified translation and the original. International applicants should apply early enough to allow for study permit processing.

English language proficiency

Required of all undergraduate applicants whose first spoken language is not English, to be met by August 1 for fall or November 15 for winter admission. It can be shown by Alberta English Language Arts 30-1 with 75%, IB English grade 5 or higher, AP English grade 4 or higher, GCE A/S or A-level English grade B or higher, three consecutive years of full-time academic secondary study in English in a recognized English-language country (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and others are on the list, some with extra conditions), two years of full-time post-secondary study in English, or completion of the Advanced Level of the university's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. Tests must be completed within two years before application: IELTS Academic minimum overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT minimum total 86 with 20 in each section (tests taken before January 21, 2026), or 4.5 overall and in each section on the newer scale; PTE Academic 61 overall with 60 in each part; CAEL 70 overall with 60 in each component; Duolingo 120 overall with 110 in each subscore; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176 overall and in each subscore.

Application and deadlines

Applications are made online through ApplyAlberta (an alberta.ca account is created), followed by the university's Applicant Portal. The application fee is $140; self-identified Indigenous applicants have the fee waived. For Fall 2026: high school June 30, 2026; post-secondary June 30, 2026; international June 15, 2026 (admission decision June 30, final official documents July 15). Bachelor of Education (Early Years Education) and B.Ed. After Degree applications close February 1; Calgary BBA and post-bachelor certificate August 1; B.Mus. June 15. For Fall 2027 applications open September 14, 2026 with the same dates: June 30 (high school and post-secondary) and June 15 (international), 2027. Applying by December 15 qualifies applicants for the Board of Governors' Admission Scholarship. The university may close a program before its published deadline once capacity is reached.

Graduate entry

Master's programs (MA, MSc, MEd, MFA, MMus, MN, MHSM, MCCP, MC, MMgt, MSc in Management), the PhD and graduate certificates each set their own admission requirements, listed on the School of Graduate Studies pages; applicants apply online through the School of Graduate Studies.

Tuition and fees 2026/27 (undergraduate, per year)

Domestic: tuition $6,822.00, student administrative fees $629.10, Fine Arts access fee $29.00, sport and recreation fee $235.94, Students' Union fees (including health and dental insurance and UPass) $824.74, student magazine $10.00; annual total $8,550.78. International: tuition $24,662.20 with the same fees; annual total $26,390.98. Books and supplies are estimated at $1,500 per year and off-campus living at $1,450 per month in shared accommodation.

• Lethbridge Campus (4401 University Drive, Lethbridge): about 500 acres; University Hall, Science Commons, Centre for the Arts, Centre for Sport and Wellness, Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Place, Simulation Health Centre, University Library (about one million publications), residences and food services. Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching is based here and in Calgary.
• Calgary Campus (6th floor, Bow Valley College South Campus Building, 345-6th Ave SE): evening and weekend classes and flexible programming for working professionals, including Dhillon School of Business and graduate management programs, near the CTrain station, Central Library and East Village.
• Dr. James Foster Penny Building, downtown Lethbridge: gallery and exhibition space for fine arts students and research offices.
• Westcastle Field Station, southwest Alberta: field base for students and researchers with terrestrial and aquatic habitats (built in the 1970s, expanded 2016).
• Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage, Nanton, Alberta (opened 2011): a living classroom for history, art, ecosystems and geography.
• Gushul Studio and Cottage, Blairmore, Alberta (opened 1988): creative residencies for professional artists and writers.

Residences offer first-year and transfer/mature student options with Residence Assistants trained in emergency response and first aid; food services include dining plans, Bridge Bucks and the campus pub, the Zoo.