Open studies
Open Studies gives you access to hundreds of academic courses.
Degree holders and non-degree holders
Open Studies gives you access to hundreds of academic courses. Whether you want to take courses to meet admission requirements or out of personal interest, there's a course for you. Students who accept their offer of admission to Open Studies have one year from their admit term to register for a course.
Open Studies admission requirements
Open Studies is a registration category in which you are permitted to take credit courses but are not admitted to a program leading to a degree, diploma or certificate. Open Studies is recognized under the Alberta Designated Requirements as defined by the Alberta Government to admit international students.
Open studies non-degree holders can take up to four three-unit courses per term to a maximum of twelve three-unit courses.
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Academic Requirements
- Present a minimum 65% in English 30-1, or equivalent; OR
- Present a minimum 2.00 GPA in a transferrable post-secondary English course(s); OR
- Achieve a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA on the most recent 12 units from another post-secondary institution
Note: When more than one academic requirement is presented, the highest level of education is used for admission. Students presenting 12 or more units of academic post-secondary coursework will be considered for admission based on the GPA of their most recent 12 units.
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Required Documents
Transcripts from all high school and post-secondary institutions attended. See details on submitting documents.
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English Language Proficiency
English is the official language of instruction at the University of Calgary. All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency to be considered for admission.
Open Studies students with a degree can take up to six three-unit courses per term to a maximum of twelve three-unit courses.
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Academic Requirements
- Hold a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
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Required Documents
A transcript reflecting the credential awarded.
University of Calgary alumni are not required to provide transcripts provided they have not attended any other post-secondary institutions.
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English Language Proficiency
English is the official language of instruction at the University of Calgary. All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency to be considered for admission.
Students who do not meet Open Studies degree holders and non-degree holder academic requirements can be considered for Open Studies under the Equitable and Inclusive Admission Process.
Undergraduate admission guarantee
Open Studies students who do not already have an undergraduate degree are guaranteed admission to select Arts and Science programs through the Open Studies pathway admission guarantee. You are guaranteed admission to eligible programs when the following criteria are met:
- Completion of a minimum of 18 units in UCalgary Open Studies by end of the winter semester for fall admission;
- Minimum 2.3 GPA for admission to Arts programs and minimum 2.5 GPA for admission to Science programs, calculated on the most recent 18 units of UCalgary Open Studies coursework;
- Successful completion of English 30-1 (or equivalent) and required high school courses as outlined in the academic calendar.
Students interested in completing an undergraduate degree with UCalgary should follow the same step-by-step process to submit the undergraduate application for admission, and apply for up to two program choices. If you are not admissible through the competitive admission process, and you meet the criteria outlined above, you will automatically be considered for guaranteed admission through the Open Studies pathway admission guarantee.
Explore our programs, learn how to apply for undergraduate admission, and become familiar with the important dates for fall undergraduate admission.
How to apply
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Requirements
Review our Open Studies admission requirements.
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eID
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Complete your Open Studies application
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Pay your application fee
Pay a $125 non-refundable application fee. ($145 if you have international credentials).
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Submit your documents
- Upload transcripts to my.ucalgary.ca.
- Submit proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
Have questions?
Visit our contact page for all the different ways to contact our office.