UNIVERSITY PREPARATION

APPLY & ENROL

You must apply to the University Preparation (UP) program before you can enrol in upgrading classes. We will work with you to develop an upgrading education plan that you can follow until you are prepared to apply to postsecondary studies. You do not need to reapply to UP each term.

If you need help after reviewing the application and enrolment information or if you have a question that is not covered here, there are several ways to connect with an academic advisor.

Contact Us

1 Plan your goal program

Before you apply to University Preparation, you need to know what you'll do when you finish. Your educational plan will be based on the post-secondary education you plan to apply to after upgrading.

Not sure where to start? If you don’t know what you wish to do after completing University Preparation, you may want to look into career counseling or interest and aptitude testing to get a sense of your career goals.

Careers & Experience

Once you have a goal, you should research post-secondary options and determine what academic work you need to complete to attain that goal. It is your responsibility to know the entrance requirements for the program or programs you will apply to after upgrading.

You can talk to an academic advisor in MacEwan's Academic Advising Centre about programs at MacEwan University and the best way for you to meet the admission requirements.

Academic Advising Centre

2 Apply to University Preparation

The application process is straightforward. Just follow the steps below and respond to all communication from MacEwan University. Track your application to make sure it is complete.

Domestic and International students will be required to meet the same requirements.

Requirements

  • All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency (ELP). If your primary language is English, you meet the ELP requirement. All other applicants require proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation such as CLB scores of at least 6 (with no skill under 6), an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no skill under 5.0, or equivalent.
  • Once admitted to the program, students may be required to write a placement test to determine their current academic standing and placement level in the program.
  • International applicants must be eligible to apply for a study permit which is valid for 6 months or longer.

ELP testing and scores

Canadian Language Benchmark Test (CLB-PT)

Scores of at least 6 (with no skill below a 6). This test is only available for permanent residents and Canadian citizens.

WEBSITE

Duolingo English Test

Minimum overall band score of 95.

WEBSITE

IELTS–Academic

Overall score of 6.0 (with no skill below a 5.0).

WEBSITE

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Minimum total score of 69.

WEBSITE 


Other ELP testing options are accepted. Scores are assessed on a case by case basis.

Check admission dates and deadlines so you know when to apply for Fall, Winter or Spring/Summer intake.

ADMISSION DATES AND DEADLINES

Apply online at ApplyAlberta, an application service used by most post-secondary institutions in Alberta. You need to pay a non-refundable application fee to complete your online application.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Your username and password

After you apply, the Office of the University Registrar will send a Network ID and temporary password to the email account listed on your application. If you have not received your Network ID within two weeks of your application, email sceadmissions@MacEwan.ca.

myPortal.MacEwan.ca 

Use your Network ID and password to log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca. You will be prompted to change your password the first time you log in.

From the Quick Links menu in the portal, you can access several online applications and tools for students, such as:

  • Your MacEwan University student email account (YourNetworkID@mymacewan.ca). The university uses Gmail for students.
  • myStudentSystem: to track your application, pay fees and manage personal information.
  • mêskanâs: to access electronic materials for your classes
  • Library: to search for books, articles, and more
  • TechSupport: for troubleshooting help

You are automatically assigned a student email account when you apply to your program. This email is offered through Gmail but will end in @mymacewan.ca. Access your myMacEwan Gmail account through myPortal.MacEwan.ca.

It is crucial that you check this account regularly. You must send all emails to MacEwan University faculty and staff from your MacEwan University student email account, and all email communication from MacEwan University will be sent to this account.

You need to track your application after you apply and throughout the admission process to ensure you respond to requests for additional information or documents. Track your application online through the university’s student information system, myStudentSystem.

Check your application status

  1. Log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca using your Network ID and password.
  2. Launch myStudentSystem from the Quick Links menu.
  3. From your student homepage, Select Admissions & Transfer Credit.
  4. Select your application to see the status.

Check for outstanding conditions

You can check if you have outstanding conditions on your application or need to submit documents to the Office of the University Registrar through myStudentSystem.

  1. Log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca using your network ID and password.
  2. Launch myStudentSystem from the Quick Links menu.
  3. From your student homepage, select Admissions & Transfer Credit.
  4. Select your application.
  5. Check the To Do List tab for a list of outstanding conditions.

As you clear each condition, the item will be removed from your list. When you have cleared all conditions, an email confirmation will be sent to your myMacEwan Gmail account.

Need help using myStudentSystem?

Use myStudentSystem to track your application, manage classes, pay fees and update your personal information. If you need help using myStudentSystem, we’ve prepared instructions and videos to guide you.

Using myStudentSystem

If you have attended an Alberta high school, we will order Alberta Learning high school transcripts for you. If you have attended one of Alberta’s participating post-secondary institutions, we will order these transcripts as well.

You must provide transcripts if you have attended any institution outside of Alberta or outside of Canada. Please upload an unofficial copy of your high school and/or post-secondary transcripts through the myDocuments tile in myStudentSystem. Your unofficial transcripts will assist us with your education planning. Please note that official documents are required for all applications to post-secondary programs at MacEwan. For more information, please visit Transcripts & Documents.

3 Accept your offer of admission

After you receive an offer of admission, you must accept or decline the offer by the deadline.

After an admission decision is made, we will let you know. Notice of an admission decision is sent by email to your myMacEwan Gmail account.

DECISION & CONFIRMATION

After you receive an offer of admission or conditional admission, you must accept or decline the offer by the deadline. Log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca and launch myStudentSystem to indicate your response.

Accept or decline your offer

Pay your admission confirmation deposit by the deadline indicated in your offer letter. This deadline is also posted in myStudentSystem. If you do not pay your deposit by the deadline, your offer of admission will be withdrawn.

MORE ABOUT THE ADMISSION CONFIRMATION DEPOSIT

MAKE A PAYMENT

Deposit payment receipts

A receipt for your admission confirmation deposit is automatically sent to your MacEwan University student Gmail account when your payment arrives at the university.

4 Enrol in classes based on your education plan

Follow your personalized education plan to enrol in classes online using myStudentSystem.

After you accept your offer of admission, you will receive a welcome email from us. This email will detail your next steps, which include requesting a personalized education plan. Use your @myMacEwan.ca account to email your request and include the following information:

  • Your 7 digit MacEwan student ID number
  • The name of your goal program (this can be for any institution you plan to attend after completing University Preparation)
We will use this information to develop your education plan based on your previous education and the admission requirements to your goal program.

The maximum number of upgrading courses you can enroll in per term is three.

Classes are typically scheduled in-person, on-campus, every day, Monday through Friday. There are some online synchronous and evening class sections available. You can view class availability in the Manage Classes tile in myStudentSystem or by using the schedule planner.

Select Manage Classes in myStudentSystem to enrol in your courses. You might need permission numbers to complete enrolment in some classes.

If you need help using myStudentSystem, we’ve prepared instructions and videos to guide you.

Using myStudentSystem

prerequisites & Permission numbers

myStudentSystem only recognizes prerequisite courses taken at MacEwan University. It does not recognize prerequisite courses included on your high school transcript.

For example, if you try to enrol in Chemistry 30, the enrolment system will not recognize that you took Chemistry 20 in high school, and you will receive an error message: “Unable to add this class - prerequisites have not been met.”

If you receive this error message when you try to enrol, contact us by email from your @mymacewan.ca account and include the following details:

  • Your MacEwan ID number
  • The term, course, and class number you want to enrol in (e.g., WI2023, CHEM 30 CP01 Class # 12416) or you can add the course to your shopping cart.

We will verify your prerequisite coursework and issue a permission number (PN) for you to complete your enrolment.

5 Apply for funding (domestic students only)

After enrolling in classes, domestic students may apply for funding through the Foundational Learning Assistance Program. Please note that funding is limited and is not guaranteed. Visit the tuition, fees and aid page for more information.

Tuition, Fees and Aid

6 Get ready for classes

Take care of these last few tasks at the beginning of the term and enjoy a smooth start to your studies.

The MacEwan Card is the official student identification and library card. Get your card from the library before classes start.

You can search for your textbooks online. To find the correct textbooks, you must know the courses and sections you are enrolled in. You can see which sections you are enrolled in on myStudentSystem.

You can purchase your books online or buy them at the bookstore on campus.

The U-Pass is provided by the Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU). It gives you access to Edmonton, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, and Beaumont transit services for every term you are registered in at least one credited in-person or hybrid class.

You can add the U-Pass to a new or existing Arc Card each term using myStudentSystem.

Not all students are eligible for the U-Pass

Students who are taking all classes online or those who are in non-credit classes, including international students in a School of Continuing Education Professional Development certificate program, are not eligible for the U-pass.

Learn more about the U-Pass and the Arc Card from SAMU.

U-Pass

You may register and pay for your locker online.

  1. Choose your locker and make note of the building and locker number. Any empty locker without a "Reserved" sticker is available.
  2. Place a lock on it. Do not leave your locker without a lock at any time. If you remove your lock, the locker is considered vacated and will become available for another student.
  3. Register and pay for your locker online on the day that you begin using it. Only credit cards are accepted for payment. Locker fees are charged per term and are non-refundable.

    OR

Find locker fees under "Other Fees" in the Academic Calendar. MacEwan reviews and approves all fees annually.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR // OTHER FEES

The items in lockers that are unregistered or unpaid for may be discarded or donated. It is your responsibility to remove your lock and the contents of your locker at the end of the registration period.

MacEwan University is not responsible for items stored in lockers.

New student orientation

Visit MacEwan.ca/Orientation for details on new student and parent orientations, as well as welcome events on campus at the start of term.

International student orientation

An orientation tailored specifically for new international students takes place during the first week of classes. All new international students receive an invitation.

Program events

Individual programs may also hold events for new and returning students. Watch your MacEwan University email for an invitation.

Access and Disability Resources welcome event

Access and Disability Resources (ADR) hosts an annual Welcome Event in the Fall term, approximately a week prior to the start of classes. Learn tips and strategies from other students on how to transition to ADR services at MacEwan University and meet members of the ADR team.

You are responsible for checking and adhering to all posted dates/deadlines and university policies.

Dates and deadlines

The Academic Schedule lists all the important dates and deadlines for the coming academic year including when classes start, tuition deadlines, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal deadlines and exam periods.

Academic Calendar

The authoritative source for official course descriptions and the rules and regulations that apply to MacEwan University students is the Academic Calendar.

University policies

You must check the University Policies that affect your program including:

  • Refunds of Tuition and Student Fees (E2112)
  • Grading (C2020)
  • Final Assessment (C2005)
  • Student Academic Integrity
  • Student Non-Academic Misconduct

POLICIES

Find out what you owe

Tuition and fee amounts owing are updated overnight. If you adjust your enrolment, make sure you check myStudentSystem the next day to verify the amount you owe.

Foundational Learning Assistance

If you are approved for Foundational Learning Assistance, the government will send your tuition and fees directly to MacEwan.

For more information on funding, as known as the Foundational Learning Assistance Program, please visit Tution, Fees & Aid.

Make a payment

There are several ways to make a payment.