General Admission Routes and Academic Qualifications

Applicants are considered for general admission under the admission route most appropriate to their academic qualifications. All applicants are required to meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement (see English Language Proficiency (ELP)). Some programs may have additional admission requirements. For a complete list, see Additional Admission Requirements by Program.

a.High School Admission Route

Applicants presenting high school (often referred to as secondary) credentials, will be considered for admission under the High School Admission Route. In order to maximize program and course choices, all applicants are encouraged to present a broad range of subjects for admission.

To qualify for general admission, applicants must have a final admission average of at least 65 percent.

When necessary for the purposes of calculating the admission average, Student Enrolment and Registrar Services will convert grades to the Alberta high school percentage scale. Grades and courses from outside Alberta that have been evaluated by agencies other than the original educational institution are subject to review and adjustment by the University of Lethbridge.

Only passing grades will be used in the average calculation. In cases where the applicant has repeated a secondary course, the highest grade will be used.

1.High School Requirements

a.Course Requirements

All Canadian high school applicants must present credit in five senior secondary courses, or equivalents, including one language arts course and at least four other courses.

For Canadian equivalent high school courses by province, please see www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/admissions/undergrad/high-school.

Alberta, N.W.T., and Nunavut

One academic English Language Arts course:

•English Language Arts 30-1

Three approved courses chosen from:

•Aboriginal Studies 30 or Northern Studies 30

•Art 30 or Art 31

•Biology 30

•Chemistry 30

•Choral Music 30, General Music 30, or Instrumental Music 30

•Dance 35

•Drama 30

•Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2

•Mathematics 31

•Physics 30

•Science 30

•Social Studies 30-1

•Five credits in Advanced-level CTS Computer Science (CSE)

•One or more distinct languages at the 30 level

One additional course that has not already been used:

•May be from the list above

•Must be at the 30 level

•Must be worth at least five credits (multiple courses worth a total of five or more credits can be used)

•Cannot be a Special Project

Note: Instead of Mathematics 30-1 students may use University of Lethbridge's Mathematics 0500.

b.Admission Average

The admission average for all Canadian high school applicants is calculated using the most advantageous combination of course requirements.

For applicants presenting both school and exam grades on Canadian high school courses, the final (blended) grade will be used to calculate the admission average.

Applicants currently completing courses at Canadian high school may be considered for conditional admission on the basis of final Grade 11 grades. For this purpose, the applicant will provide final grades for Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses already completed.

The University reserves the right to rescind admission at any time should the student’s admission qualifications fall below the minimum standard required for admission (see Conditional Admission). When possible, the applicant will be offered admission to an alternate program for which they are eligible and will not be charged an additional application processing fee.

Applicants that apply by December 15 are automatically considered for the Board of Governors award.

2.International High School

Academic high school (secondary) qualifications from other countries are considered for admission.

Conditional admission is available to applicants currently completing high school courses outside of Canada. The University must receive an interim academic transcript or current report card in order to determine an admission average for general admission.

3.Advanced Placement Program

Advanced Placement (AP) credentials are recognized as a means of satisfying general admission requirements.

AP scores are converted as follows:

AP Transfer Credit Policy

Students presenting AP credentials have the option at the point of admission of receiving transfer credit for approved courses where they have achieved a grade of ‘4’ or higher. For course equivalents, refer to the University of Lethbridge Transfer Equivalency Database (TED). To be eligible for transfer credit, an official AP transcript must be received by the final official document deadline.

To obtain AP transcripts:

AP College Board ATP (Transcript Department)
P.O. Box 6671,
Princeton, NJ 08451-6671
apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores (University of Lethbridge, College Code: 0855)

4.International Baccalaureate Program

International Baccalaureate (IB) credentials are recognized both as an admission route and as a means of satisfying general admission requirements.

Applicants presenting complete IB diplomas are guaranteed general admission to the University, subject to English Language Proficiency requirements and deadlines. Admission to specific programs is not guaranteed.

IB course grades are converted as follows:

IB Transfer Credit Policy

Students presenting IB credentials have the option at the point of admission of receiving transfer credit for approved courses in which they have achieved a grade of ‘5’ or higher. For course equivalents, refer to the University of Lethbridge Transfer Equivalency Database (TED). To be eligible for transfer credit, an official IB transcript must be received by the final official document deadline.

To obtain IB transcripts:

To request that an IB transcript be sent directly to the University of Lethbridge please visit www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts.

5.General Certificate of Education (GCE)

Advanced Level (A-level) courses in appropriate subjects are recognized for admission. Courses completed with a grade of ‘C’ or higher will be considered for transfer credit. Credit for a maximum of ten University of Lethbridge 3.0 credit courses may be obtained in this manner.

6.High School Upgrading

The University of Lethbridge recognizes academic upgrading courses completed at post-secondary institutions in lieu of high school courses for admission and prerequisite purposes, including University of Lethbridge courses at the 0500 level. A list of recognized courses available at other Alberta post-secondary institutions may be obtained from transferalberta.alberta.ca/transfer-alberta-search. Other courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

7.Home School

Home school applicants who present recognized secondary credentials will be considered for admission under the appropriate admission route.

b.Post-Secondary Admission Route

Applicants who have completed six or more transferable courses at one or more post-secondary institutions will be considered under the Post-Secondary Admission Route, as follows. Some programs may have additional admission requirements. For a complete list, see Additional Admission Requirements by Program.

1.Transferable Courses

To qualify for general admission, post-secondary applicants must present six or more completed transferable credit courses with an admission grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 (on the University of Lethbridge 4.00 GPA scale). Applicants presenting fewer than six transferable credit courses must also meet the High School Admission Route requirements.

All transferable post-secondary work completed by an applicant, as indicated on the transcript(s), will be used in determining admission eligibility.

Upon admission, completed post-secondary credit courses will be considered for transfer credit on a course-by-course basis for eligible post-secondary work. The number of courses considered to be transferable in the context of the admission decision may or may not coincide with the number of courses ultimately awarded transfer credit. For additional information, see Transfer Credit.

When necessary for the purposes of calculating the admission GPA and awarding transfer credit, Student Enrolment and Registrar Services will convert grades to the University of Lethbridge 4.00 GPA scale.

Applicants who hold certificate credentials from credit programs at recognized post-secondary institutions may be eligible to receive transfer credit upon admission, see Transfer Credit.

2.College Diploma

An applicant who has been awarded a diploma credential from a recognized institution will be considered for admission. In all cases, University of Lethbridge program residence and time limit policies shall apply.

a.General Admission

Holders of two- or three-year college diploma credentials from approved post-secondary institutions, completed with a program GPA of 2.00 or higher (on the University of Lethbridge 4.00 scale), shall be eligible for general admission. Student Enrolment and Registrar Services will consult with the Faculty or School offering programs most closely related to the diploma credential program in regard to determination of sufficient academic merit. The higher of the diploma program GPA or GPA based on transferable courses (see Transferable Courses) will be used for admission purposes.

Transfer credit will be awarded on a course-by-course basis, in accordance with approved transfer credit policies, see Transfer Credit.

b.Post-Diploma Agreements

Where the University of Lethbridge has an agreement with a partner institution, an applicant who has been awarded a two-or three-year college diploma credential will be considered for admission to the appropriate post-diploma program. For more information on partner institutions, see www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/post-diploma.

Some programs may have additional admission requirements. For a complete list, see Additional Admission Requirements by Program.

3.Applied and Technology Degrees

Applicants presenting Applied or Technology degrees from recognized post-secondary institutions will be considered for admission under College Diploma.

Except when the Applied or Technology degree is the basis for admission to a post-diploma program, transfer credit will be awarded on a course-by-course basis, in accordance with approved transfer credit policies.

Applied and Technology degrees are not considered to be a basis of admission for second degree or graduate studies programs.

4.Previous Degree

Admission is based on highest level of education completed.

Students are not normally eligible to pursue another degree that is similar to one already completed at a recognized institution. Generally, degrees with identical or closely related majors are considered to be similar.

International applicants who possess a related degree will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Student Enrolment and Registrar Services will consult with the intended Faculty or School with regard to this matter as appropriate.

a.Undergraduate

Applicants who have completed an approved undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.00 (on the University of Lethbridge 4.00 scale) will be eligible for general admission to pursue another undergraduate degree.

An approved degree is an academic baccalaureate degree requiring a minimum of 30 course equivalents (90.0 credit hours) or a graduate degree from a recognized degree-granting institution.

Previous courses completed as part of the credential are subject to the time limits of the appropriate Faculty or School. Please see the After an Approved Degree section for the appropriate Faculty or School and Academic Regulations, Residence Requirements and Time Limits.

Applicants are required to meet major specific admission requirements, as applicable. See www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/admissions/undergrad/additional-admission-requirements.

In order to register in courses as an admitted student, a student who has graduated from a University of Lethbridge program must successfully apply for admission to another program using the Application for Admission. Otherwise, such students must register using the Open Studies student route (see Registration, Open Studies Student).

b.Graduate (Master’s and Ph.D.)

Applicants who have completed an approved Master’s or Ph.D. degree from a recognized degree-granting institution will be eligible for general admission to pursue another undergraduate degree.

5.Applicants with Unsatisfactory Post-Secondary Records

Applicants who have been required to withdraw, suspended, or expelled (or its equivalent) from another post-secondary institution will be considered for admission one year after the date of the required withdrawal or once the suspension/expulsion is expired. The following policies apply to applicants who have unsatisfactory records at other post-secondary institutions:

a.Required to Withdraw

If such applicants are offered admission to the University, without satisfactory intervening studies, it will be on the condition of academic probation. See the corresponding section for the appropriate Faculty or School for more information. Where an applicant has been required to withdraw more than once from post-secondary institutions, Student Enrolment and Registrar Services may consult with the appropriate Faculty or School in consideration of admission.

b.Suspension

Applicants under an order of suspension from another post-secondary institution will be considered for admission only with the written recommendation of the Registrar and approval of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

c.Expulsion

Applicants who have been expelled from another post-secondary institution will be considered for admission only with the written recommendation of the Registrar and approval of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

See also Returning After an Absence.

c.Adult Student (Mature) Admission Route

Applicants who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents, at least 21 years of age by the first day of classes of the term of intended admission, and who do not fulfill requirements for any other admission route will be considered for general admission as outlined below. The number of seats available for Adult Student (Mature) Admission will be limited (as determined each term). Typically the number of seats will not be more than ten percent of the total admissions for high school applicants in a given fall or winter term.

All applicants are required to meet all program-specific requirements and one of the following:

1.High School Admission Route with an admission average of at least 60%

2.Minimum final grade of 65% in English 30-1 or English 30-2 (or equivalent), as well as passing grades in two other 30-level courses

3.Demonstrated potential for academic success and excellence in non-academic areas. Applicants are required to submit the following to Admissions:

a.Transcripts of all high school and post-secondary experience.

b.Standardized test scores, such as SAT or ACT, if available.

c.A Letter of Intent from the applicant including a statement on their potential for success in university studies, how their experiences since secondary school have contributed to this potential, their goals for the future, and why studies at the University will help them to realize these goals.

d.A résumé, providing a summary of all educational, employment and volunteer experience.

Applicants who have unsatisfactory post-secondary academic records (i.e. a GPA less than 2.00 on the University of Lethbridge 4.00 scale) will not be considered for Adult Student (Mature) Admission (see Post-Secondary Admission Route).

d.Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Student Success

The Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Student Success (ISSC) is a university-level certificate program offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science that provides Indigenous students who are not fully admissible to the University of Lethbridge an opportunity to enter into the University. When space permits, those who qualify for general admission may also access the ISSC.

To be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must have been enrolled in high school until Grade 12 OR have been out of high school for at least one year and, at a minimum, hold credit for the following Alberta high school courses or their equivalents:

One academic English Language Arts course chosen from:

•English Language Arts 20-1

•English Language Arts 30-2

Three approved courses chosen from:

•Aboriginal Studies 20

•Biology 20

•Chemistry 20

•One Fine Arts course:

•Art 30 or Art 31

•Dance 35

•Drama 30

•Choral Music 30, General Music 30, or Instrumental Music 30

•Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2

•Physics 20

•Science 20

•Social Studies 20-1 or Social Studies 30-2

•A 20-level language

Enrolment in the ISSC is limited. Students may be contacted by the Admissions Office or the Faculty of Arts and Science for further information.

Applicants to the ISSC who have been required to withdraw from the University of Lethbridge or another institution for academic reasons will be considered for admission without waiting for the lapse of one year and without completing additional university courses. Students admitted to the ISSC may be eligible for Tabula Rasa if their cumulative University of Lethbridge GPA is below 2.00 regardless of required withdrawal. For details regarding the granting of Tabula Rasa, see Admission, Readmission after Required Withdrawal.

Students are encouraged to complete a range of 30-level high school courses, or equivalent, before application. Some option courses within the transition program have specific high school prerequisites (see Course Catalogue for details).

Students who complete the minimum course requirements of the ISSC and meet the Faculty of Arts and Science academic standards required for continuation (see Arts and Science, Academic Standards), will be admitted to any Arts and Science undergraduate program for which they have the required prerequisite courses (see Arts and Science, Admission). Those completing the ISSC with a GPA of at least 2.00 will be considered to have met general admission requirements for programs in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Health Sciences, or Dhillon School of Business (see Continuing Students Changing Programs). Some programs have additional admission requirements or higher standards for entry that must be met before admission will be considered.

e.Certificate in Arts and Science

The Certificate in Arts and Science is a university-level certificate program that may be completed in as a little as one year of full-time study or may be completed on a part-time basis. Students who complete the certificate may qualify for a degree program, and use their certificate credits towards their degree, through the Post-Secondary Admission Route.

To be eligible for admission to the Certificate in Arts and Science, students must present a passing grade in English Language Arts 30-1, or an equivalent course.

Applicants who have completed post-secondary courses may also qualify for admission to the Certificate in Arts and Science through the Post-Secondary Admission Route, and are eligible for transfer credit.

f.English for Academic Purposes Admission Route

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program is a full-time, non-credit program offered by the English Language Institute (ELI) designed for students who are seeking admission into degree programs but have not met English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Students who successfully complete the Advanced Level of EAP will satisfy the University's ELP requirement (for both undergraduate and graduate levels) and will not be required to submit a standardized English language test score (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL) for University of Lethbridge admission.

Program entry is available in summer (May), fall (September), and winter (January) terms. Admission to the EAP program does not constitute admission to an undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Lethbridge. Applicants to an undergraduate or graduate program must meet all admission requirements specific to their program of study.

To be eligible for admission to the EAP program, applicants must have basic knowledge of the English language, equivalent to a score of 4.0 on the IELTS assessment (see English Language Proficiency (ELP) for further details regarding standardized English language tests). Applicants may submit standardized test scores to assist in determining their initial placement within the EAP program.

For application information, please see www.ulethbridge.ca/international/eap. Additional information regarding EAP program requirements can be found within University of Lethbridge International.

g.Standardized Test Admission Route

Applicants who present acceptable ACT or SAT scores will be considered for general admission.

In the case of the SAT written prior to March 2016, the applicant must present complete SAT (Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing) and three additional SAT Subject Test scores. In the case of the SAT written after March 2016, a minimum combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing plus Math (ERW+M) score of 1040 is required.

In the case of the ACT, a composite score of 20 is required.

Applicants are also required to meet program-specific admission requirements and therefore will be required to submit their high school transcript for review.

h.Dual Admission

Dual Admission is a specific post-secondary admission route available for some degree programs open to students enrolled in a Dual Admission Partner Institution.

Students admitted and enrolled in a Partner Institution may be eligible to participate in dual admission. Students who meet Partner Institution and University of Lethbridge admission requirements and are enrolled in the Partner Institution may apply for general admission at the University of Lethbridge. Students who do not meet University of Lethbridge admission requirements may take courses at the Partner Institution to prepare for eligibility.

Students begin the application process at the Partner Institution. It is highly advised students seeking dual admission meet with an academic advisor from the Partner Institution.

Individuals enrolled in a Partner Institution who do not meet admission criteria or timelines are still invited to apply to the University of Lethbridge through the Post-Secondary admission route (see Post-Secondary Admission Route).

To learn more about dual admission, please visit the website www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/admissions/undergrad/dual-admission).

i.Returning After an Absence

All students returning to the University of Lethbridge after an absence of one or more fall or winter terms must apply for readmission according to current application procedures and deadlines.

1.Applicants who were previously admitted to the University, left after completing one or more terms, and have not completed any transferable courses at another institution during the absence will be considered for readmission to their previous program of study in accordance with the policies of the relevant Faculty or School (refer to the Admission information in the applicable Faculty or School part of the Calendar).

2.Applicants who are seeking readmission to a different program of studies or who have completed transferable courses at another post-secondary institution during the absence must meet current admission requirements for the program they are intending to pursue (see Post-Secondary Admission Route).

3.If readmitted, applicants who were on academic probation upon leaving the University will be readmitted on condition of academic probation. See the corresponding section for the appropriate Faculty or School for more information.

4.Readmission after Required Withdrawal

Applicants seeking readmission after required withdrawal from the University of Lethbridge will be considered for admission after the lapse of one year from the date of required withdrawal, in accordance with the policies of the Faculty or School offering the program for which they are seeking admission. See Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Dhillon School of Business. See the corresponding Calendar section for the appropriate Faculty for more information.

Tabula Rasa will be granted to all first-degree University of Lethbridge students upon readmission to the University after required withdrawal for unsatisfactory academic performance. Applicants may choose to decline Tabula Rasa after consultation with an Academic Advisor. Tabula Rasa, or the opportunity to decline Tabula Rasa, will be granted only once, upon readmission after the first required withdrawal. Credit is retained for all previous courses completed with a grade of ‘C-’ or above, or ‘P’ or ‘CR’, up to the following limits (including transfer courses):

Applicants readmitted to the University after being required to withdraw are readmitted on condition of academic probation. See the corresponding section for the appropriate Faculty or School for more information.

Where an applicant has been required to withdraw more than once, Student Enrolment and Registrar Services may consult with the appropriate Faculty or School in consideration of admission.

5.Readmission after Suspension

Applicants who left the University under an order of suspension will be considered for readmission to their previous program of study upon expiry of the period of suspension and fulfillment of any other requirements defined in the order of suspension, in accordance with 1. and 2. above.

6.Readmission after Expulsion

Applicants who left the University under an order of expulsion will be considered for admission only with the recommendation of Student Enrolment and Registrar Services in consultation with the Dean of the program from which the student was expelled, and the written approval of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic). Such approval shall not normally be given before the expiry of three years.

Such applicants will be considered for readmission to their previous program of study in accordance with 1., 2., and 3. above.

j.Continuing Students Changing Programs

A continuing student who wishes to change their academic program or major will apply by submitting a Request to Change a Program or Major. The Request to Change a Program or Major form must be submitted by the appropriate term’s application deadline (see www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/admissions/undergrad/deadlines).

All applicants must meet the additional admission requirements for the program to which they are applying. See Additional Admission Requirements by Program.

1.Competitive Programs

Applicants seeking to change to competitive programs must meet the GPA requirements. See Additional Admission Requirements by Program and Glossary, Competitive Programs.

2.Non-Competitive Programs

Applicants must meet the minimum academic standing requirement of the Faculty or School to which they are applying (see Academic Standards within each Faculty or School section of this Calendar).

In the case where the program or major to which the student is applying has been introduced after the student’s current Year of Calendar, the application will be considered for the calendar year for which they are applying.

Students who have graduated from a University of Lethbridge degree program must successfully apply for admission as a previous degree applicant (see Previous Degree).