Indigenous admissions process

The University of Calgary acknowledges and respects the rich diversity of learners, their communities, cultures and traditions, and their aspirations and abilities. In order to ensure equitable access and successful participation of Indigenous learners, the University of Calgary offers a number of pathways options for eligible students of Indigenous identity.

Pathways to UCalgary

The Indigenous Admissions Process was implemented by the University of Calgary to ensure equitable access for Indigenous learners. It provides additional pathways to gaining admission to University of Calgary.

If you have self-identified as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) on your application form, you will automatically receive consideration for all Indigenous admissions pathways, if needed.

  • First Nations/Status Indian
  • First Nations/Non-Status Indian
  • Métis
  • Inuit

We consider your application for all our pathways, if needed:

  1. The university’s competitive admission process.
  2. If necessary, we will automatically review your application under the Indigenous admission process at a lower admission average..
  3. If necessary, we will automatically review your application under our Indigenous admission supplementary process if you complete the personal statement and any faculty specific requirements.

    A faculty specific admission committee will review all complete applications and students may be admitted to a bridging program.
  4. If necessary, you will automatically be considered for our Indigenous Students Access Program.

Visit our how to apply page to learn more about the steps to apply for admission. Once you apply, you will be considered for all pathways.

Need support? Connect with our Indigenous student recruitment team either by phone (1.403.210.7211) or email ([email protected]) for questions about the application and admission process, our programs, or Indigenous support on campus.

We’ll send you an admission package that contains all the details of your admission offer. You’ll need to accept or decline your admission offer in your Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca) and pay your admission deposit by the specified deadline.

If you’re granted admission under an Indigenous admissions pathway, you will be asked to submit documentation to verify your Indigenous identity before registering for classes.

  • Please see below for recognized documentation for verifying Indigenous identity. Documents can be uploaded to your Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca) or faxed to 403.220.0762.

 

Bridging Programs

Students who do not meet the course requirements can be considered for admission to a Bridging program. Students are admitted to a Bridging program within the Faculty and progress directly to their program after completion of required courses. Pathways are individualized to each student.

All applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement in the format of the student’s choice (oral, written, video etc.) that outlines their educational goals and how their past education, cultural knowledge, life and work experiences will enable them to succeed in university studies.

  1. Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Studies

    Required courses:

    • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
    • Two approved courses at the 30 or 20 level

    Supplemental requirements:

    • BMus: online audition form, audition and successful completion of RCM Level 8 Theory or the departmental music theory diagnostic exam.
    • Dance: statement of interest and audition.
    • Visual Studies: portfolio.

  2. Geography (BA, BSc), Psychology (BA), Economics

    Required courses:

    • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
    • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2
    • One approved courses at the 30 or 20 level

  3. All other programs*

    Required courses:

    • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
    • Two approved courses at the 30 or 20 level

    *Admission to the BSc in Psychology is not eligible through the Indigenous Pathway Program.

See more about the program and supports available

  1. Most programs*

    Required courses:

    • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
    • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2
    • One of Biology 30, Biology 20, Chemistry 30, Chemistry 20, Physics 30, Physics 20

    *Admission to the BSc Honours (Neuroscience) and any Biological Sciences Honours program are not eligible through the Indigenous Pathway.

  1. Required courses:

    English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2

    Two of:

    • Physics 30 or Physics 20;
    • Biology 30 or Biology 20;
    • Chemistry 30 or Chemistry 20;
    • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2, Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2

  2. Supplemental requirements:

    An interview or reference may be required.

See more about the program and supports available

Indigenous admissions process documents

The University of Calgary recognizes the following documentation for verifying Indigenous status:

1. Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card), issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Older Status cards may still be used, but if the “valid to” date has passed, students are encouraged to order a new card.

2. Letter from a government-registered First Nations community verifying the student is a member of that First Nation.

3. Band Members who do not have Status can provide a letter from their Band or First Nation on appropriate letterhead and signed by a Band Administrator.

4. Non-status individuals with a Status parent or grandparent, may provide a long-form birth certificate with supporting documents of Indigenous identity from a parent or grandparent.

5. Métis card issued by a member Nation of Métis National Council of Canada, including Métis Nation British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.

6. Letter or membership card from one of the member Nations of the Métis Settlements General Council including Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth Lake, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine.

7. Inuit Beneficiary cards issued through Nunavut Trust.  

8. Letter from a government organization such as Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik, Makivik Corporation or Nunatsiavut in Labrador. 

9. Letter of support from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

10. Inuit beneficiary card.

11. Letter from a recognized First Nations community similar to that provided for a person who has Status.

12. Letter from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and/or one of its affiliated provincial organizations.

13. A letter of support from a First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student’s Indigenous identity.

If the above documentation is not available, students are encouraged to contact UCalgary's Indigenous Recruitment Advisor for support and advice regarding documentation. Connect with them here.