Everything International Students Need to Know About Studying in Alberta

A lot of international students wonder if Alberta is a good place for them to study in. It has lots to offer, from its nationally recognized schools to rich geological history and thriving culture and entertainment.

In this blog post, we cover everything you need to know about what it’s like to study in Alberta as an international student, including facts about the province, the biggest and best post-secondary institutions, top sights to see, what the job market is like, and how to apply for permanent residency.

Everything International Students Need to Know About Alberta

You may be familiar with Alberta’s stretch of the Canadian Rocky Mountains or maybe the Calgary Stampede, but here’s some key information to know about the province.

Geography

Bordered by Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and Montana, Alberta is full of mountains, glacial lakes, boreal forests, prairies, and desert lands.

Weather and Climate

Alberta receives the most sunlight out of any other province in Canada, even in the winter. Southern parts of Alberta experience more mild periods of weather due to Chinook winds.

The Largest Cities in Alberta

Alberta is home to many large, thriving cities. The biggest urban centres in the province are:

• Calgary - The largest city in Alberta and traditional territory of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearpaw, and Wesley First Nations. The City of Calgary is also the home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. Also called “Cowtown”, this large urban centre is known for the Calgary Stampede and its major role in the Canadian oil industry.

• Edmonton - Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, nicknamed “Canada’s Festival City” and home to the West Edmonton Mall.
  
  

  

• Red Deer - Located between Calgary and Edmonton in aspen parkland, Red Deer is known for The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum as well as The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery.

• Lethbridge – This is the fourth largest urban centre in Alberta, situated near the Rocky Mountains, and it gets sunshine for more than 320 days of the year.

The Major Schools in Alberta

There are several large colleges and universities for international students to choose from if you’re planning to study in the province of Alberta.

The major universities include:

• University of Alberta - Located in Edmonton, this is a top 5 Canadian university.

• University of Calgary - Located in Calgary, it was originally founded as a branch of University of Alberta.
  
  

  

• University of Lethbridge - Located in Lethbridge with a satellite campus in Calgary.

• Mount Royal University - Located in Calgary.

The best colleges in Alberta for international students include:

• SAIT Polytechnic - Located in Calgary, the first publicly funded technical institution to open in Canada.
  
  

  

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology - Located in Edmonton, this is a polytechnic and applied sciences institution.

• Bow Valley College - Located in Calgary with satellite campuses in Airdrie, Banff, Cochrane, Okotoks, and Strathmore.

• Lethbridge College - Located in Lethbridge, this was the first publicly funded college to open in Canada.

What is The Population of Alberta Like?

There are 4.3 million people who live in Alberta, with immigrants and permanent residents making 23% of the province’s population. A majority have immigrated from the Philippines, Nigeria, China, and Syria.

There are 1.4 million Indigenous peoples and visible minority groups in Alberta. Nearly 20% of the population in Alberta is of East, Southeast, South Asian and Middle Eastern descent.

According to StatsCan, 1 in 3 people in Calgary is an immigrant, with a large portion of the population being Chinese-Canadian and South Asian, with a significant number of Indigenous, Filipino, and Latinx peoples. In Edmonton, numbers are similar, where 1 in 4 people is an immigrant.

The Best Universities and Colleges for International Students in Alberta

Alberta is home to some of the top post-secondary institutions in Canada. According to Maclean’s renowned Top University rankings for 2023, the best universities in Alberta are:

• University of Alberta*

• University of Calgary**

• University of Lethbridge**

*Ranked in Maclean’s Top 10 Overall, including Top 10 Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow
**Ranked in Maclean’s Highest Quality, Most Innovative, and Leaders of Tomorrow of 2023

Maclean’s defines its rankings based on data regarding students, reputation, faculty, student support, and resources.

EduRank (a ranking based on reputation, research performance, and alumni impact), has noted these colleges as the best in Alberta:

• SAIT Polytechnic

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Alberta university and college programming also undergoes evaluation to make sure it meets provincial quality standards backed by ministry approval or evaluation from a ministry recognized third party.

Several Alberta colleges offer seamless transfer programs so students can start their studies at one institution and have credits that can be applied to another if they choose to transfer.

What Can International Students Do in Alberta on Weekends?

Home to breathtaking national parks and glimmering turquoise waters, Alberta is also a booming cultural hub that attracts visitors from around the world. The sights you don’t want to miss are:

1. Banff National Park - This is Canada’s first national park and belongs to the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to check out:
   
   

   

2. Lake Louise
   

3. Moraine Lake
   

4. The Icefields Parkway
   

5. Jasper National Park - Also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park is the world’s second largest dark sky preserve.
   

6. Athabasca Falls and Glacier
   

7. Maligne Canyon
   

8. The Icefields Parkway (which lies between Banff and Jasper National Parks)
   
   

   

9. Drumheller - Also known as Canada’s Dinosaur Valley or Canada’s Death Valley, this unique area is full of large fossil deposits and diverse topography, including The Hoodoos, Horseshoe Canyon, and Horsethief Canyon.
   
   

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11. Calgary Stampede - Held every July, the Calgary Stampede is an all-in-one rodeo, exhibition, and festival that brings millions of visitors every year. It’s the location of the world’s largest rodeos.
    
    

    

12. West Edmonton Mall - The second largest mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall is home to its own amusement park, water park, and ice rink.

What is Alberta’s Job Market and Local Economy Like?

Alberta has a low unemployment which falls under the national average and its job market is projected to expand by 1.2 million jobs over the next 10 years.

Alberta incomes are 13% above the national average, which can be attributed to its high-paying industries. Currently, every 1 in 16 jobs are in the energy industry.

Where Are The Largest Employment and Job Opportunities in Alberta?

The regions of Alberta with the most employment opportunities are:

1. Edmonton

2. Calgary

3. Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River

Top Industries Offering Employment in Alberta

Industries that will be Alberta’s biggest employers in the next ten years include:

1. Sales and service

2. Trades and transport occupations

3. Business, finance, and administration occupations

Top Fields of Study in Alberta, and Skills in Demand

The following are highlighted as major fields of study for Alberta post-secondary students in the next ten years:

1. Business

2. Education

3. Health Sciences

In that same period, employers are looking for skills in job seekers that satisfy these high-demand jobs:

• Receptionists

• Construction trades helpers and labourers

• Information systems analysts and consultants

• Graphic designers and illustrators

• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
  
  

  

• Administrative assistants

• Home building and renovation managers

• General office support workers

• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers

• Petroleum engineers

Permanent Residency for International Students in Alberta

Annually, an average of 41,600 people become permanent residents in Alberta (from 2015-2022). In 2022, 46,900 people gained permanent residency.

Alberta offers the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, where the province nominates individuals who fulfill economic and job skill requirements for permanent residency. There are two main streams:

1. Streams for Workers

• Alberta Opportunity Stream - For nominees that have received an offer of employment to work in Alberta.

• Alberta Express Entry Stream - Those with an existing Federal Express Entry profile are eligible to be nominated by the government if they fulfill certain economic and industry needs for the province.

• Rural Renewal Stream - Individuals who receive a job offer from a rural area of employment can be nominated in this stream.

2. Streams for Entrepreneurs

• Rural Entrepreneur Stream - Applicants who wish to start a business in a rural community can create an Expression of Interest for this stream.

• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream - Expression of Interest is open to recent international graduates interested in launching their own business or purchasing an existing one.

• Farm Stream - Dedicated to farmers looking to start or buy an Alberta farm.

• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream - Applicants for this stream are foreign graduates outside of Canada.

Lastly, take time to educate yourself on immigration fraud. Your post-secondary institution is an excellent resource, providing free workshops and information sessions. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with these tips from the Government of Canada.

Studying in Alberta as an International Student

We hope that this guide has left you with a better idea of whether Alberta is the right place for your international studies.

For more tips and information about what it’s like to study as an international student from province to province, follow IDP Education Canada on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.