collageHow to Apply
General Information
The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and the School of Mining & Petroleum Engineering offers three different graduate programs. Additional information on each of our programs can be found here.
- Master of Science (MSc) – Thesis based, Supervisor is required
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Thesis based, Supervisor is required
- Master of Engineering (MEng) – Course-based, no Supervisor required.
We thank all of those interested in pursuing their Graduate Studies at the University of Alberta with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering.
Given the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide updates or feedback for individual applications. Incomplete applications, those missing required documents, or those received after the application deadline will not be considered. Questions about the application process can be sent to civilgradapps@ualberta.ca.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not use the MESSAGING tool in the FGSR GSMS portal as this department does not use that tool.
Instructions for Completing Your Application
Please read the instructions carefully as requirements vary between programs.
Thesis Based Programs (MSc/PhD)
Step 1 – Identify and Contact Potential Supervisor
All potential applicants for thesis-based programs are required to identify a potential Supervisor who will support their application. An application cannot proceed without a potential supervisor to support your application. Please review our Research Areas to learn more about our Faculty members and their research areas. You will need to contact professors directly. It is recommended you provide a “letter of interest” and updated Curriculum Vitae to prospective Supervisors. A suggested template for the “letter of interest” can be found here.
Once you have found a potential supervisor who has agreed to support your application, you may proceed to Step 2. The potential supervisor must send you an “Expression of Interest” letter or email to include as a supporting document in your application.
Step 2 – Apply through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS) Portal
Create an application in the FGSR GSMS application system, using the “Apply now” button at the bottom of the page. Applicants must ensure that they review both Department and FGSR application requirements to confirm they meet minimum application requirements. Applications require a $135 CAD non-refundable application fee.
Step 3 – Submitting Documents
Please review the required documents for your application. All documents are to be uploaded directly to the FGSR web application. When uploading documents please ensure that the documents are uploaded to the correct field.
All reference letters are requested within the web application itself. Please refer to FGSR GSMS Portal to check the status of your documents as well as to check to see what is missing or what is required. Click on Show Details once in the portal, and it will show exactly what is pending and what has been received. You will be able to upload any additional documents by visiting the FGSR GSMS Portal.
References should show as reference submitted. If a reference is showing as email sent the reference has not yet been received to the portal.
The department does not notify applicants with regard to missing documents, so please check the FGSR GSMS Portal on a regular basis. No files will be reviewed until all documents have been uploaded.
Please do not send any documents by mail to the department. Hardcopies are only provided if you are specifically asked to send hardcopies by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research if admitted. Do not refer Bear Tracks anytime during the application stage as the information there is not accurate. Always refer to the FGSR GSMS Portal login.
Step 4 – Final Decision
Once the application is complete, it will go for review. Once a decision has been reached the applicant will be notified through the FGSR GSMS Portal with the decision. Applicants for the thesis-based programs will be notified of decision on a rolling basis.
Applicants who are ADMITTED must refer to the FGSR GSMS Portal to retrieve their admission letter, and to either accept or refuse the admission offer. The offer is only finalized once it has been accepted by the applicant.
Course Based Program (MEng)
Step 1 – Apply through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS) Portal
Create an application in the FGSR GSMS Portal, using the “Apply now” button at the bottom of the page. Applicants must ensure that they review both Department and FGSR application requirements to confirm they meet minimum application requirements. Applications require a $135 CAD non-refundable application fee.
Step 2 – Submitting Documents
Please review the required documents for your application. All documents are to be uploaded directly to the FGSR GSMS Portal. When uploading documents please ensure that the documents are uploaded to the correct field.
All reference letters are requested within the web application itself. Please refer to FGSR GSMS Portal to check the status of your documents as well as to check to see what is missing or what is required. Click on Show Details once in the portal, and it will show exactly what is pending and what has been received. You will be able to upload any additional documents by visiting the FGSR GSMS Portal.
References should show as reference submitted. If a reference is showing as email sent the reference has not yet been received to the portal.
The department does not notify applicants with regard to missing documents, so please check the FGSR GSMS Portal on a regular basis. No files will be reviewed until all documents have been uploaded.
Please do not send any documents by mail to the department. Hardcopies are only provided if you are specifically asked to send hardcopies by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research if admitted. Do not refer Bear Tracks anytime during the application stage as the information there is not accurate. Always refer to the FGSR GSMS Portal login.
Step 3 – Final Decision
Once the application is complete, it will go for review. Once a decision has been reached the applicant will be notified through the FGSR GSMS Portal with the decision. Applicants for the MEng program will be notified of the result by May.
Applicants who are ADMITTED must refer to the FGSR GSMS Portal to retrieve their admission letter, and to either accept or refuse the admission offer. The offer is only finalized once it has been accepted by the applicant.
***Please be advised that the MEng Program is highly competitive. Our cutoff GPA is often higher than the minimum FGSR entrance requirement of 3.0.***
Admission Requirements
The graduate programs we offer provide our students with exceptional opportunities for career advancement. Many of the world’s great minds are U of A graduates including Canadian Prime Ministers and Nobel Prize winners.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research sets a minimum academic standard for admission for both Canadian and international applicants. Please review the general admission protocol as set by FGSR.
The minimum admission requirement for the Department:
GPA
- A baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta.
- 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the most recent two-years of full-time study (or equivalent) (MSc Program)
- 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the most recent two-years of full-time study (or equivalent) (MEng Program)
- 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the most recent two-years of full-time study (or equivalent) (PhD Program)
- English Language Proficiency
Please be advised that all programs, especially the MEng Program, are highly competitive. In particular for the MEng program, the Department’s cutoff GPA is often higher than the minimum requirement of 3.0.
International applicants can refer to the minimum academic requirements.
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at UAlberta. All applicants
must be proficient in English prior to admission.
International applicants must be able to demonstrate English Language Proficiency at the time of
application.
Proficiency is demonstrated by:
- Possession of a degree or its academic equivalent from an institution recognized by the
University of Alberta and where the language of instruction is English. Proof that the
instruction for the degree was in English will be required (see Recognized English
Language Countries/Institutions);
OR - A satisfactory score on one of the approved English language examinations
GRE is NOT required nor is it used in the evaluation process.
Some institutions are exempt from the English language test, pleaser refer to the English language exemption list.
Application Document Deadlines
PLEASE NOTE UPDATED DEADLINES FOR THE M.ENG. PROGRAM (updated February 12, 2021)
The application deadlines indicate the date when completed applications must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS) Portal. This includes letters of reference. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their references submit their reference letters prior to the stated deadlines. Applications must have all required Supporting Documents prior to the deadline to be considered.
MSc/PhD (Thesis-Based) Application Deadlines
Fall Admission (September):
- Canadian Students: May 15
- International Students: April 15
Winter Admission (January):
- Canadian Students: September 15
- International Students: July 15
Applicants will be notified on an on-going basis.
MEng (Course-Based) Application Deadlines
Fall Admission (September):
- Canadian Students: July 15
- International Students: March 1
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit any required documentation well in advance of the deadlines.
Applicants will be notified of the results by May.
Winter Admission (January):
There is no Winter Admission to the MEng program at this time.
Supporting Documents
All supporting documents are uploaded directly to the FGSR GSMS Portal.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY DOCUMENTS by MAIL to the department. Hardcopies are only provided if you are specifically asked to send hardcopies by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research if admitted. Do not refer Bear Tracks at the application review stage, as the information is not accurate. Always refer to your FGSR GSMS Portal login: https://graduate-studies-apply.ualberta.ca/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_lgn
Documents to be uploaded to web application:
- Transcripts (Please refer to FGSR’s Application Requirements for Academic Documents for complete details and to notes below)
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Expression of Interest (letter/email) from Potential Supervisor (MSc and PhD ONLY)
- Statement of Purpose (PhD ONLY)
- Three (3) academic references are required from academic staff members capable of assessing the applicant’s academic and research ability. At least two academic references are mandatory and a maximum of one (1) professional (work) reference is allowed. References are requested via the web application by the applicant and are uploaded directly to the application by the referee. No hardcopies are required. Students who are graduating from the UofA do not have to provide the references.
- Official English Language Proficiency scores (if applicable) such as TOEFL (Academic), IELTS (Academic), MELAB, PTE or CAEL. See FGSR’s ELP requirement. The GRE is NOT required nor is it used in the evaluation process.
International applicants should refer to the International Admissions Protocol link.
Canadian applicants should refer to the Canadian Admissions Protocol link.
If your previous education was completed in China, both the Degree Certificate and the Graduation Certificate are required.
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