FAQ

If you find there is a question not addressed on your appropriate admissions topic, email McDonagh@ualberta.ca.

1. What degrees are offered?

• Can I apply directly to the PhD degree program without a Masters degree?

2. What are the minimum admission requirements for applying to graduate studies in the Department of ECE?

3. What are the application deadline dates?

4. How do I apply to Graduate Studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering?

• How do I track the status of my application?
• How do I track my documents?
• What documents are required?
• Who do I send my documents to?
• How will I be notified if offered admission?
• How will I be notified if I am refused?
• My Bear Tracks account says, "Pending," why?
• Can I start my program in the Spring or Summer?
• If I submit my application after the submission deadline, can I still get admission
• I would like to transfer to your program. Can I get credit for courses I have already taken? 

5. Is there an application fee?

• How do I pay the application fee?
• How can I be waived from paying the application fee?

6. Do I need to take the TOEFL test?

• Are there certain countries or international universities who would be exempt from taking the TOEFL test?
• Can I get a conditional admission and then take my English language proficiency test?
• What is the Institution code and Department code for sending in the TOEFL test from ETS?
• Is the GRE test required?

7. Is there financial support provided by the department?

• Do I need to apply for research or teaching assistantships?
• Are there other scholarships and awards a student can apply to?
• What are the tuition fees for internation students?

8. How many students are recruited each year?

9. Where can I get information on off-campus residence?

1. What degrees are offered?

• The degree of PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) (3.3 point GPA requirement on a 4 point scale)
• The degree of MSc (Master of Science, Thesis-based program) (3 point GPA requirement on a 4 point scale)
• MEng program is currently on hold until further notice.

Can I apply directly to the PhD degree program without a Masters degree?

The Department will not accept a student who has not completed a Masters degree into the PhD Program.  Only students holding a masters degree or equivalent would be accepted.  We would allow a master student to transfer into a PhD program without completing the master program if the student has an excellent academic record and has demonstrated good potential to carry out PhD level research.

2. What are the minimum admission requirements for applying to graduate studies in the Department of ECE?

The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.0 in the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the minimum academic requirements for both Canadian and International Students.

3. What are the application deadline dates?

Deadline dates are strictly enforced. These are the deadline dates that an application form and all supporting documents must be into the Department of ECE for consideration. Potential applicants are strongly advised to apply early.

• April 30 for September Admissions
• July 30 for January Admissions

Canadian Applicants

• July 31 for September Admissions
• November 30 for January Admissions

4.  How do I apply to Graduate Studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering?

All applicants must fill out the Online Application Form found on the Department's web site. Once the application form is filled out you will receive an email acknowledging that the form was received. You can continue with the application process by following the instructions provided once you submit the online application.

How to track the status of your application?

Once all of your documents have been received your application then goes to the admissions committee for review, this process can take two to three months.  Students cannot track the status of their application online. Students will be notified by the department when a decision is reached.

How do I track my documents to see if they have arrived in the department?

Go to Document Tracking and Instructions link.  Enter your ECE application number and your password. You will see what documents have been received and what documents are missing. You will also see any comments about your application.   If you have any questions about the status of your application you contact McDonagh@ualberta.ca directly.  Do NOT use Bear Tracks to see if your documents have arrived,  this department does NOT use Bear Tracks for tracking documents.

What documents are required.?

Hardcopy of the application form if paying application fee by cheque or money order.

• Two sets of Original transcripts in both English and your original language.
• Two sets of Original graduation degree certificates in both English and your original language.  Please note, we do not accept any notarized documents. We must have attested true copies or the originals.
• Three letters of reference.
• Proof of English Language in the form of a TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL or MELAB, PTE (see English Language Requirements here.)
• Curriculum Vitae and Personal Statement.

Who do I send my documents to?

All documents are sent directly to:

N McDonagh
2nd floor ECERF
University of Alberta
9107 - 116 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T6G 2V4

Please do NOT send your documents to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, to individual faculty members, or to the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies. Please do not email or send any copies of supporting documents.

How will I be notified if I am offered admission?

If you are offered admission, you will first receive an offer letter from the department, and then you will receive the admission letter from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

How will I be notified if my application is refused?

You will receive an email directly from the Department of ECE.

I am using my Bear Tracks account to check the status of my application and it says pending?

This department does not use the Bear Track System to track applications, therefore you must check with the department to find out the status of your application.

Can I start my program in the Spring or Summer?

No.  We do not offer graduate courses over the Spring or Summer.  If, however, your supervisor wants you to start in the Spring or Summer, you can start as a research assistant in his/her lab.

If I submit my application after the submission deadline, can I still get admission?

No.

I would like to transfer to your program. Can I get credit for courses I have already taken?

Students apply to the program, and if accepted you would have to request a review of your transcript, in writing, by the Associate Chair who will then approve whether or not any courses may be transferred. Only two courses if approved can be transferred to a graduate program.

5. Is there an Application Fee?

There is a non-refundable application fee of $100 (CDN).

How do I pay the Application Fee?

You can pay by cheque (payable to the University of Alberta), money order, visa or mastercard. US funds will be accepted as long as it's equivalent to $100 CAD. Do not send cash, wire transfers, Eurocheques, or UNESCO cheques. If you are using a credit card, you fill out the Faculty of Graduate Studies web app.

How can I be waived from paying the Application Fee?

In order to be waived from paying the fee you must be living in the country where the application fee has been waived. The $100 (CAD) non-refundable application will be waived for applicant's whose correspondence address is located in the countries listed here.

6. Do I need to take the TOEFL test?

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; or a satisfactory score on one of the following approved English language examinations:

• TOEFL - minimum score of 580 (paper-based) or 92 (IBT) with a minimum of 20 on each section.
• IELTS - minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least 5 on each band. (Academic)
• MELAB - minimum score of 85.
• CAEL - overall minimum score of 60, with at least 60 on each subset.
• PTE - overall minimum score of 59.

For further information on the English Language requirement please go to English Language Proficiency Requirements found on the FGSR web site.

Are there certain countries or international universities who would be exempt from taking the TOEFL test?

Yes, please see our exemption list.

Can I get a conditional admission and then take my English language proficiency test?

No, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires proof of the minimum required score on an English test before being considered for graduate studies admission.

Is the GRE Test Required?

No, we do not require this test.

What is the Institution code and Department code for sending in the TOEFL test from ETS?

The Institution Code is 0963 and the Department Code is 66.

7. Is there financial support provided by the department?

Yes, the department will provide financial support to all successful candidates to our MSc and PhD programs.

Do I need to apply for research or teaching assistantships?

All MSc and PhD students are given a research assistantship by their supervisor when they are accepted into the program. Teaching assistantships are available but not for the first term of studies and students will need to apply. Students are notified via email when to apply for teaching assistantships.

Are there other scholarships and awards a student can apply to?

The Department encourages students to apply for scholarships, fellowships, awards, and grants both internally and externally.  For more information about awards, scholarships, loans, and/or bursaries outside of the Faculty of Engineering, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

What are the tuition fees for international students?

Approximately $8,200 per year. For further information visit International Student Fees.

8. How many students are recruited each year?

Approximately 90-150 are recruited each year. We receive a large number of applications each year (~1000) but there are only a limited number of places available.  Acquisition of the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee a position in our graduate program.

9. Where can I get information on off-campus residence?

Visit the Student's Union Housing Registry for information on rental properties in Edmonton.