Why the University of Alberta
A community of change makers!
Our talented graduate students — 41 per cent of whom come from countries other than Canada — play a central role in all of the institution's wide-ranging activities.
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Top 100institution in the world
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8,400+graduate students
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156countries represented by our students
Graduate studies are worth it.
Learn more
Whether pursuing a career in academia, or looking to advance your career, gaining post-graduate expertise will give you greater employability and flexibility in pursuit of your career goals.
Earn more
A graduate with a master’s degree will earn 30-40% more compared with an undergraduate degree two years after graduation. (Based on median incomes in Canada and Alberta)
Our reputation
Our programs and professors are ranked as some of the best in the world, including:
A Top 4 university in Canada
#1 for artificial intelligence in Canada (and #5 in the world)
Top 15 globally for nursing, agricultural sciences, sports-related subjects, and engineering
#8 globally for impact on UN sustainability goals
Nobel Prize in Medicine (Sir Michael Houghton, 2020)
A.M. Turing Award recipient (Richard Sutton, 2024)
Our research is world-shaping.
The pursuit of truth drives the work done at the University of Alberta. By asking why, what and how, our researchers push the boundaries of knowledge. Using some of the world’s most advanced research facilities and resources, our researchers have discovered new knowledge in health and life sciences, energy, artificial intelligence and much more.
With $600M in annual research funding, cutting-edge facilities, and world leaders as mentors, research is a driving force of the university’s mission and vision.
Improving the human condition.
By choosing the U of A, you will be among an extraordinary group of committed, accomplished and passionate people who have dedicated their lives to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and improving the human condition. The U of A is home to:
Canada's first successful open-heart surgery.
The discovery of a gene-TRIM22-that can block certain forms of HIV and may one day be used to prevent the onset of AIDS.
The globally recognized Edmonton Protocol pancreatic islets transplantation, reducing the need for insulin injections, for years at a time, for Type 1 diabetics.
Our history
Founded in 1908, the U of A has a strong history of innovative teaching and research. We’re also a member of the U15, a prestigious group of Canada's top research universities.
Our purpose
To inspire the human spirit through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery and citizenship in a creative community, building one of the world's great universities for the public good.
Our rankings
The U of A continues to be one of Canada’s top universities and is among the very best in the world.
The places we thrive.
One university across three campuses.
North Campus is our largest campus in Edmonton, Alberta. It’s steeped in over 115 years of history and home to some of the most advanced research, technology and teaching facilities in the world! Not too far away is Campus Saint-Jean, the only French-language university institution west of Manitoba. Augustana Campus in Camrose (a little over an hour's drive from Edmonton) provides open spaces and smaller class sizes in a tight-knit community. All are recognized for global academic excellence, exceptional faculty and high-impact research.
Welcome to Edmonton.
Edmonton is the most northern major city in the country and the capital city of Alberta. It’s known as Canada’s Festival City hosting 50 unique festivals annually, with so much more to see and do! Our main campus is nestled in the beautiful river valley which boasts 150 km of trails and nature to explore on foot, bike, kayak or canoe. Fun fact! U of A’s signature green and gold colours were inspired by the river valley’s picturesque autumn landscape.
Our graduate students are diverse.
In 2025, 2,921 graduate degrees were awarded, including 301 PhDs.
39%
admission rate for graduate programs
18%
U of A students are graduate students
4%
self-identify as Indigenous students
37%
are international students
33%
working towards a PhD
39%
working towards a course-based master’s
25%
working towards a thesis-based master’s
3%
working towards a certificate
19%
class enrolments are online courses
55%
women
44%
men
1%
another gender
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