Overview
The University of Calgary (U of C or UCalgary) is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The University of Calgary started in 1944 as the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta, founded in 1908, prior to being instituted into a separate, autonomous university in 1966. UCalgary is dedicated to innovative research, entrepreneurialism, and a commitment to student success.
The University of Calgary is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and also has a campus in Doha, Qatar. Founded in 1908, UCalgary consistently ranks among the best universities in Canada. It is a popular choice among international students for higher studies abroad. UCalgary is known for its strong research programs and offers better career opportunities via its co-op programs and an easier route to a Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada. Considered among the Top 50 Research Universities in Canada, UCalgary has invested over CAD $19 million in transdisciplinary scholarships and awarded more than 140 grants worth CAD $1.7 million. UCalgary also actively funds startups and has helped build over 90 companies in the last 5 years — more than any university in Canada.
UCalgary is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. Calgary's extraordinary position — Canada's energy capital, a rapidly growing tech and innovation hub, home to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ranked the most affordable of Canada's five major cities — creates an outstanding environment for ambitious international students and graduates.
UCalgary offers over $17 million CAD each year in scholarships, bursaries, and awards — many open to international students. Graduates have gone on to work at major employers including Microsoft, Deloitte, Amazon, Suncor, Enbridge, BMW, and more. Calgary is one of the top 40 most affordable cities in the world and ranks as the most affordable among the five Canadian cities — Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver — in the Mercer's Cost of Living Index 2024.
Notable alumni include Nobel laureate Dr. Donna Strickland (Physics 2018, who has connections to UCalgary research community), Olympic champions Clara Hughes and Catriona Le May Doan, former Prime Ministers of Canada Joe Clark and Stephen Harper, astronaut Robert Thirsk, and tech entrepreneur leaders driving Alberta's growing startup ecosystem.
| ~10–20% Acceptance Rate (Selective) | 33,000+ Students | 130+ Countries Represented | #1 Canada — Startup Creation (90+ Companies in 5 Years) / Most Affordable Canadian Major City |
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Ranking
The University of Calgary World Ranking 2026 as given by QS is #211 globally. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings places UCalgary at #200 globally. ARWU ranks it #151 among universities in the world. According to the Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2026, UCalgary ranks #8 in Canada.
The Calgary University MBA Class of 2024 placement rate is 92.9% after 3 months of graduation. Graduates saw an average increase of 19% in their pre-MBA salaries after completing an MBA from UCalgary Business School. For the Class of 2022, the average salary was CAD $117,000 (approximately ₹72.5L).
| Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | #211 Globally / #8 in Canada |
| Times Higher Education 2025 | #200 Globally / Top 8 in Canada |
| ARWU (Shanghai) 2025 | #151 Globally |
| US News Best Global Universities 2025 | #204 Globally |
| Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2026 | #8 in Canada |
| Startup Creation | #1 in Canada — 90+ Companies in 5 Years |
| MBA Salary (Class of 2022) | CAD $117,000 Average — Top in Alberta |
Intakes
UCalgary operates on a Canadian academic calendar with two primary intakes.
Fall Intake (September) — Primary and largest intake; open to all undergraduate and most graduate programs.
- Application deadline: December 1 – March 1 depending on program; earlier deadlines for competitive programs (Medicine, Law, Engineering)
- International Entrance Scholarship deadline: December 1
Winter Intake (January) — Secondary intake; available for some graduate programs; limited UG options.
- Application deadline: September 1 – October 1 for most programs
Important for Indian Students:
- Application fee: CAD $145 (approximately ₹8,990) for most programs — non-refundable
- English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 86 (no section less than 20) / PTE 59
- If a student has a past academic score of 95% or more, they are eligible for a CAD $5,000 scholarship; automatic consideration at admission
- Every year, about 40% of new students are eligible to receive a scholarship, prize, or bursary
- Canada Study Permit required; proof of sufficient financial funds (CAD $20,635/year)
- International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Up to 3 years; pathway to Alberta PR through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP); Alberta's high-wage energy and tech sector makes UCalgary graduates among Canada's most sought-after
Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Confirm specific intake dates at ucalgary.ca.
Top Courses
The University of Calgary has 14 faculties with more than 250 options at UG and 70 options at the PG level of studies. Popular international student programs include MS in Data Science and Analytics, MBA, Bachelor of Nursing, and others.
Haskayne School of Business (AACSB Accredited)
- BCom in Business / Accounting / Finance / Marketing / Management
- MBA (full-time and executive) — CAD $117,000 average salary (Class of 2022); 92.9% placed within 3 months
- MSc in Management / Finance
- Master of Business Analytics
- MDP (Master of Development Practice)
- PhD in Business
Schulich School of Engineering
- BEng in Chemical / Civil / Computer / Electrical / Geomatics / Mechanical / Oil and Gas Engineering
- MEng / MSc in Data Science and Analytics — one of Canada's most popular programs for Indian students
- MEng in Engineering (various specialisations)
- MASc in Electrical / Mechanical / Chemical / Computer Engineering
- MSc in Computational Media Design
- PhD in Engineering
Faculty of Science
- BSc in Computer Science / Mathematics / Physics / Chemistry / Biology / Statistics
- MSc in Computer Science — English-taught; strong AI and data focus
- MSc in Mathematics / Statistics / Physics
- MSc in Computational Science
- PhD in Science disciplines
Cumming School of Medicine
- MD (Doctor of Medicine — highly selective; competitive)
- MSc / PhD in Medical Sciences / Health Research
- MSc in Community Health Sciences
- MPH (Master of Public Health) — English-taught
Faculty of Law (Juris Doctor)
- JD (Juris Doctor) — highly regarded Alberta law degree
- LLM in Law — various specialisations including Energy and Natural Resources Law (unique in Canada)
Faculty of Nursing
- BN (Bachelor of Nursing) — entry-to-practice; strong clinical partnerships with Alberta Health Services
- MN (Master of Nursing) — English-taught
Faculty of Arts
- BA in Economics / Political Science / Psychology / Sociology / History / Philosophy
- MA in various Arts disciplines
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM)
- DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
- MSc / PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences
Cost of Studying at University of Calgary
University of Calgary tuition fees for international students: Business Degree: CAD $31,435/year; STEM Degree: CAD $27,967–$28,037/year; Arts Degree: CAD $23,529/year; MBA: CAD $26,557–$29,087/year; Research/Thesis-Based MSc: CAD $8,081–$13,330/year. Tuition for international students ranges from CAD $26,849 to $84,085 depending on the program.
Calgary is one of the top 40 most affordable cities in the world and ranks as the most affordable among the five Canadian cities — Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver — in the Mercer's Cost of Living Index 2024. Calgary offers some of the highest wages in Canada alongside Alberta's lowest provincial tax rate, allowing you to keep more of what you earn. Note: 1 CAD ≈ ₹62.
| Type of Expense | Annual Cost (CAD) | Annual Cost (INR Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| UG Tuition — Arts / Humanities | CAD $23,529/year | ₹14.59L/year |
| UG Tuition — STEM / Engineering / Computing | CAD $27,967 – $28,037/year | ₹17.34L – ₹17.38L/year |
| UG Tuition — Business (BCom) | CAD $31,435/year | ₹19.49L/year |
| UG Tuition — Medicine / Veterinary / Nursing | CAD $40,000 – $84,085/year | ₹24.8L – ₹52.1L/year |
| PG Tuition — Research MSc/PhD (thesis-based) | CAD $8,081 – $13,330/year | ₹5.01L – ₹8.26L/year |
| PG Tuition — MEng / Coursework Master's | CAD $19,099 – $36,057/year | ₹11.84L – ₹22.36L/year |
| PG Tuition — MBA (full-time) | CAD $26,557 – $29,087/year | ₹16.47L – ₹18.03L/year |
| PG Tuition — LLM / Energy Law | CAD $30,000 – $40,000/year | ₹18.6L – ₹24.8L/year |
| Application Fee | CAD $145 | ₹8,990 |
| University Health Insurance (UHIP — mandatory) | CAD $700 – $900/year | ₹43,400 – ₹55,800/year |
| Student Association Fees (compulsory) | CAD $600 – $1,200/year | ₹37,200 – ₹74,400/year |
| On-Campus Residence (UCalgary student housing) | CAD $800 – $1,400/month → CAD $9,600 – $16,800/year | ₹49,600 – ₹86,800/month → ₹5.95L – ₹10.4L/year |
| Off-Campus Accommodation (shared apt, NW Calgary) | CAD $700 – $1,200/month → CAD $8,400 – $14,400/year | ₹43,400 – ₹74,400/month → ₹5.21L – ₹8.93L/year |
| Food & Personal Expenses | CAD $400 – $700/month → CAD $4,800 – $8,400/year | ₹24,800 – ₹43,400/month → ₹2.98L – ₹5.21L/year |
| Transport (Calgary Transit Upass — student pass) | CAD $70 – $120/month → CAD $840 – $1,440/year | ₹4,340 – ₹7,440/month → ₹52,080 – ₹89,280/year |
| Books & Study Materials | CAD $100 – $250/month → CAD $1,200 – $3,000/year | ₹6,200 – ₹15,500/month → ₹74,400 – ₹1,86,000/year |
| Total Estimated Annual COA (UG International — STEM/Business) | CAD $40,000 – $60,000/year | ₹24.8L – ₹37.2L/year |
| Total Estimated Annual COA (PG International — MEng/MBA) | CAD $30,000 – $50,000/year | ₹18.6L – ₹31.0L/year |
Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 CAD = ₹62. UCalgary's research-based MSc/PhD programs (CAD $8,081–$13,330/year) are among the most affordable for international students at any Canadian U15 university, while providing access to world-class research in energy, data science, and health. Calgary's cost of living is the lowest of Canada's major cities — making UCalgary one of the best value-for-money destinations for Indian students. Canada Study Permit requires proof of CAD $20,635/year. Please refer to UCalgary's official fees page (ucalgary.ca/registrar/fees) for the most current 2026–27 fee schedule.
Scholarships
UCalgary offers over CAD $17 million each year in scholarships, bursaries, and awards — many open to international students. You can apply for awards as soon as you've submitted your admission application, even before receiving an offer.
Key funding opportunities include:
- International Entrance Scholarship — Value: CAD $15,000, renewable annually in the second, third, and fourth year with a GPA of 2.60 or more over a minimum of 24 units; total amount over 4 years of UG program: CAD $60,000 (approximately ₹37.2L total); minimum GPA 3.20; application deadline: December 1; one of the most generous automatic entrance scholarships at any Canadian university
- Automatic Merit Scholarship (95%+ Academic Average) — Students with a past academic score of 95% or more are eligible for a CAD $5,000 (approximately ₹3.1L) scholarship; automatically considered at admission — no separate application
- International Baccalaureate Scholarship — For prior diploma scores of 35 or higher, International Baccalaureate students are given CAD $2,000 (approximately ₹1.24L); automatically awarded
- Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) — Provincial government scholarship for outstanding graduate students; CAD $11,000–$15,000 (approximately ₹6.82L–₹9.3L); merit-based; apply through UCalgary's graduate office
- UCalgary International Research Scholarships — Amounts ranging between CAD $700–$36,000 (approximately ₹43,400–₹22.3L) for various research-based graduate scholarships; check the UCalgary awards database
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships — Federal government; CAD $50,000/year (approximately ₹31L/year) for 3 years for PhD students; apply through UCalgary
- NSERC / SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships — Federal research funding; CAD $17,500–$35,000/year for Master's and PhD; open to international students enrolled in Canada
- Prestige Prizes — Range in value from CAD $39,000 to CAD $1,000,000; awarded for exceptional research or innovation; long-term career recognition awards for outstanding graduates
Note: Indian students should apply for the International Entrance Scholarship by December 1 — this is the most impactful and accessible scholarship available at UCalgary, providing CAD $60,000 over 4 years for strong academic performers. Research graduate students should discuss RA/TA funding with their prospective supervisor during the application process.
Admissions
The estimated acceptance rate of the University of Calgary is 10–20%, making it a selective institution for international students. Competitive programs (Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business) are significantly more selective than this overall range.
For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B average) for most programs; MBA requires 3.2+ GPA and 5+ years professional experience
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 86 (no section less than 20) / PTE 59
- GMAT 600+ (recommended 650+) for MBA; GRE for some Science and Social Science programs
- Statement of Purpose / Letter of Intent; CV / Résumé
- 2–3 Letters of Recommendation (academic for research; professional for MBA)
- Official academic transcripts; Application fee: CAD $145
For Undergraduate Programs:
- Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC / IB) with strong academic record; program-specific minimums — Engineering typically requires 80%+ in Maths and Physics; Medicine and Law require 85%+
- IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 86 / PTE 59
- Apply online via the UCalgary admissions portal; co-op program availability check per program
Indian students can check UCalgary's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.
Placements
Calgary's unique position as Canada's energy capital and fastest-growing tech hub — home to the Canadian headquarters of major energy corporations (Suncor, Enbridge, TC Energy, Cenovus), global consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte), and a rapidly growing startup ecosystem funded by Alberta's energy wealth — gives UCalgary graduates extraordinary career opportunities with some of Canada's highest average salaries.
96% of UCalgary graduates find employment within months, with four out of five working in their chosen field. Graduates have gone on to work at major employers including Microsoft, Deloitte, Amazon, Suncor, Enbridge, BMW, and more. The MBA Class of 2024 had a 92.9% placement rate within 3 months of graduation. Graduates saw an average increase of 19% in pre-MBA salaries. For the Class of 2022, the average salary was CAD $117,000 (approximately ₹72.5L).
Jobs After Graduating from the University of Calgary
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Annual Salary (INR Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist / AI Engineer | CAD $85,000 – $1,40,000 | ₹52.7L – ₹86.8L |
| Petroleum / Energy Engineer | CAD $90,000 – $1,60,000 | ₹55.8L – ₹99.2L |
| Software / Computer Engineer | CAD $80,000 – $1,35,000 | ₹49.6L – ₹83.7L |
| MBA Graduate / Management Consultant | CAD $100,000 – $1,40,000 | ₹62.0L – ₹86.8L |
| Medical Doctor / Specialist | CAD $1,50,000 – $3,50,000+ | ₹93.0L – ₹2,17.0L+ |
| Lawyer (Energy / Corporate Law) | CAD $85,000 – $1,40,000 | ₹52.7L – ₹86.8L |
| Environmental / Geomatics Engineer | CAD $75,000 – $1,20,000 | ₹46.5L – ₹74.4L |
| Research Scientist / Academic | CAD $65,000 – $1,10,000 | ₹40.3L – ₹68.2L |
Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 CAD = ₹62. UCalgary's MBA Class of 2022 averaged CAD $117,000 in salary — among the highest of any Canadian university MBA program. Calgary's energy sector creates uniquely high graduate salaries particularly in engineering and business, combined with Alberta's lowest provincial tax rates and Canada's most affordable major city living costs. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.
UCalgary's career support ecosystem includes:
- Centre for Career and Personal Development (CCPD) — One-to-one appointments, workshops, CV feedback, micro-placements (job shadows and short projects to explore careers), career fairs, information sessions, networking events, and Elevate job board with exclusive opportunities; comprehensive career support for all enrolled students and graduates
- 96% Graduate Employment Rate — 96% of UCalgary graduates find employment within months, with four out of five working in their chosen field; driven by UCalgary's extraordinary industry integration with Calgary's energy and technology sectors
- #1 Canada — Startup Creation — UCalgary has helped build over 90 companies in the last 5 years — more than any university in Canada; the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking provides co-working space, mentorship, seed funding connections, and direct access to Calgary's growing venture capital ecosystem
- Energy Sector Employer Network — Direct pipelines to Suncor Energy, Enbridge, TC Energy, Cenovus, Shell Canada, and the Canadian Natural Resources sector; UCalgary's Energy, Environment and Resources faculty and related engineering programs create unmatched pathways into Canada's most generously compensated industry
- UCalgary Qatar Campus — A satellite campus in Doha, Qatar providing international research and career connections across the Middle East's energy and innovation sectors — uniquely valuable for students interested in global energy careers
- U15 Research Network — UCalgary's U15 membership connects graduates to joint research projects, industry partnerships, and alumni networks spanning all 15 of Canada's leading research universities
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — Up to 3 Years — UCalgary graduates qualify for PGWP of up to 3 years; combined with Alberta's Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), this provides a clear and accessible pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency; Calgary's high-wage, low-tax, affordable-living environment makes it one of Canada's most compelling destinations for Indian graduates to settle permanently
For personalised guidance on the University of Calgary admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.