With so many steps to complete, the application process can seem overwhelming. Use this step-by-step guide to help make your admission experience a smooth one.
Before you apply
Check admission requirements by program
Admission requirements vary widely by program. On the website for your program of choice, you can check the admission requirements and confirm that you have completed the high-school subjects and have the minimum grades to be considered for admission. International students must qualify for admission under the regular or previous post-secondary categories for any program. The mature admission category is only open to Canadian applicants.
Take note if your program of choice is considered competitive—this means you may need to achieve a higher admission average or complete additional admission criteria.
Meet English language proficiency requirements
If your primary language is not English, you must include proof of English language proficiency with your application. We accept a number of the standardized language tests as proof of English language proficiency. The scores you require can vary according to program type.
Undergraduate programs
The English language requirements may be different for some programs. As well, some university programs have spoken and written English requirements.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
School of Continuing Education
International Professional Development 1-year programs in the School of Continuing Education (SCE) include English language proficiency requirements with the admission requirements for each program.
EAL/ESL and Preparatory programs
The English language proficiency requirements for EAL/ESL, University Preparation, and the Foundation Program International are on each program admission page.
Confirm admission deadlines
Apply early. If there are problems, questions or additional steps to complete with your application, you'll still have the time you need to meet the application deadline.
Check admission dates and deadlines so you know when to apply for fall, winter or spring/summer intake. Unless an earlier closing date is indicated, international applicants must apply by May 1 for Fall intake and September 30 for Winter intake.
If you are interested in the SCE international Professional Development 1-year program, visit the SCE International page for admission deadlines.
If you apply after a deadline has passed, your application fee will not be refunded.
Apply on your own or use an educational agent
You can apply on your own using Apply Alberta. The application process is straightforward - just follow the steps in the "Application process" section below. There are no costs beyond the application fee. If you are applying on your own, diligently follow the steps and respond to all communication from MacEwan University.
If you are encountering difficulties or would like to speak with someone in your country, MacEwan International works with select educational agents to assist students with coming to MacEwan University.
Agents can assist prospective students with:
Applications, program information, tuition fees and forms
Applying for immigration permits if the agent is a member of the ICCRC
For a list of authorized Educational Agents, please contact MacEwan International.
Educational agents cannot guarantee admission into MacEwan programs. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet requirements, fee payments and deadlines. Some agents may charge a small processing and/or service fee.
Please be cautious. MacEwan cannot guarantee the legitimacy of any other agencies and caution you against using an agent not listed above.
Information regarding immigration:
It is illegal to give immigration advice to anyone for a fee or other consideration unless they are a Canadian lawyer, Quebec notary, or a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). International applicants who use an immigration consultant to obtain a study permit should ensure their consultant is a member of the ICCRC by visiting the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
SCE International PD Certificate specific agents:
Study in Canada Group
Best Education Choice
Everest Education
Application process
Apply online
Undergraduate or preparatory programs
Online applications are processed through 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.
English as an Additional Language program (EAL/ESL)
English as an Additional Language and International Professional Development students must apply for their program through the MacEwan University School of Continuing Education website.
Professional Development certificates
International Professional Development students must apply for their program through the MacEwan University School of Continuing Education website.
Submit application documents
MacEwan University cannot begin to review international applications until we receive copies of all of your supporting documents.
Documents in a language other than English
If your academic records are in a language other than English, you will need to submit both the original language document and a certified English translation, which must be complete, literal, word-for-word and in the same format as the original document.
Educational documents from outside Canada
If you attended an educational institution outside of Canada, we require specific documents to assess your credentials correctly. These document requirements are outlined by country in the following chart:
Educational Document Requirements by Country (PDF)
International application documents checklist
Email copies of the following documents to Admissions@macewan.ca as soon as you complete your online application:
Confirmation email from ApplyAlberta*
All educational documents and certified English language translations
English Language Proficiency test results (i.e. IELTS or TOEFL)
Photo page of a valid passport
Official documents must be sent directly from the issuing board or school to MacEwan's Office of the University Registrar by August 1 for fall term, December 1 for winter term and April 1 for spring term.
*English as an Additional Language and International Professional Development students will receive a confirmation email from MacEwan University rather than ApplyAlberta.
Log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca
myPortal.MacEwan.ca
The university's student portal is where you can find links to several online applications and tools for students, such as:
Your MacEwan University student email account: The university uses Gmail to communicate to students.
myStudentSystem: Track your application, pay fees and manage personal information.
Username and password
After you applied, the Office of the University Registrar sent a Network ID and temporary password to the email account listed on your application. 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.
If you have not received your Network ID within two weeks of submitting your application or if you cannot log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca, contact the International Admissions Unit in the Office of the University Registrar.
myMacEwan Gmail account
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. It is crucial that you check your myMacEwan Gmail account regularly. After we send your network ID and temporary password, any further email communication from the university will be sent to your MacEwan Gmail account. Access myMacEwan Gmail through myPortal.MacEwan.ca.
Track your application
You need to track the status of your application 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 and check your myMacEwan Gmail account regularly for updates and requests related to your application.
1. Log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca
You can access both myStudentSystem and your myMacEwan Gmail account through myPortal.MacEwan.ca.
2. Launch myStudentSystem
Track your application online using myStudentSystem. If you need help using myStudentSystem, you can download the step-by-step guide.
3. Check your admission status
In myStudentSystem, navigate to your Student Center (Main Menu > Self-Service > Student Center)
Check the Admissions section for status updates on your application
4. Check your to-do list
Check if you have outstanding conditions or need to submit documents to the Office of the University Registrar through myStudentSystem.
In myStudentSystem, navigate to your Student Center (Main Menu > Self-Service > Student Center)
Check the To Do List section for a list of outstanding conditions
Click on "more" (instead of the name of the item) for a deadline and a status update
A status of "Initiated" means this item is outstanding and you must take action. A status of "Received" means the condition has been met.
Watch for your admission decision
We know that the decision on your admission to MacEwan University affects many choices you need to make about your future, so we will make every effort to get back to you as soon as possible.
We would like to predict how long you will have to wait to hear back from us, but there is no definitive timeline. You can avoid delays by submitting admission documents as early as possible by and monitoring your 'To Do List' in myStudentSystem for changes or new requests.
Notice of decision
After an admission decision is made, we will let you know. Notice of an admission decision is sent to your MacEwan University student Gmail account.
Offer of admission
An offer of admission means you have been accepted to your program of choice. Congratulations! After you receive an offer of admission or conditional admission, you need to accept or decline the offer.
A conditional offer of admission letter will indicate your application's missing requirements. It will provide an overview of the unmet conditions and a deadline by which all requirements must be fulfilled. You need to clear these conditions by the specified deadline. No additional offer of admission email will be sent.
Admission declined
If you are not offered admission to your program of choice, you still have some options. You can upgrade your academic requirements, apply to related programs or apply again for another start date when more space is available. Your letter will give you an indication of where you can find advice and services to improve future applications.
If you are missing some of the requirements for admission to your program of choice, you can consider applying to one of our preparatory programs.
Accept your offer of admission
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.
Pay your admission confirmation deposit
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
Deposit payment receipts
A receipt for your admission confirmation deposit will automatically be sent to your MacEwan University student Gmail account when your payment arrives at the university. If the receipt has not arrived in your Gmail account after two weeks, contact MacEwan International to inquire about the funds or your receipt.
If you have questions about the status of your application, contact Admissions in the Office of the University Registrar. Please include your full name and student ID number in your email message, same as it appears on your application.
+1 780 497 5000 • Admissions@macewan.ca
After you confirm admission
Apply for visas and permits
If you plan to study in Canada for more than six months, you must apply for a study permit.
Enrol in classes online
You can begin enrolling in classes using myStudentSystem on or after your enrolment date.
Choose your courses
The program of study lists each program’s academic structure by term and year. You must complete these courses in order to graduate. Some programs specify every course you are required to take during your studies while for others you choose electives or options. Check your program website for academic planning material and program of study information. Consult an advisor in your program if you have questions. You should review your final course schedule with an advisor when you arrive in Canada.
Throughout your studies, you follow the program of study outlined in the Academic Calendar for the year you were admitted to the program or the year you declared your major or minor.
Plan your schedule
It is a good idea to plan your schedule in advance by using the shopping cart feature. The shopping cart generally opens one week prior to the first enrolment date. Follow the instructions for using myStudentSystem to add courses to your shopping cart. Your shopping cart is a planning tool and does not hold your spot in a class or represent your final enrolment. You need to click on the "finish enrolling" button to add these courses to your official term schedule.
Use myStudentSystem to enrol
The step-by-step instructions for using myStudentSystem explain how you can add or drop classes and confirm your final enrolment.
School of Continuing Education programs
Meet an advisor in your program area to discuss your enrolment. All International students in the EAL/ESL, University Preparation, Foundation or PD Certificate programs work with an advisor in their program to create class schedules.
Glossary
Terms and information you need to know as you choose your courses and create your schedule:
Junior and senior courses | Courses numbered 100-199 are considered junior level. Courses numbered 200 and higher are considered senior level.
Course descriptions | Course descriptions provide you with a brief overview of what you will study in a course, the course name and number, the credit value and the prerequisites. Course descriptions are available in myStudentSystem, on the Program of Study web page or at the back of the Academic Calendar.
Prerequisites and co-requisites | A prerequisite is a course that must be successfully completed with a grade of C- or better prior to attempting a subsequent course. The course description may also list co-requisites, which are courses that must be taken along with another in the same term.
Section numbers | A section number corresponds to the specific time and days a course is being offered.
Labs, seminars, field placements | Certain courses have a lecture and a lab component or a separate seminar or field placement component. You must enrol in all components of a course. To find out if a course has other components, check the course description.
