INTERNATIONAL FUTURE STUDENTS
Steps to apply
If you are ready to apply to MacEwan University as an international student, here are your next steps.
1. Choose a program (or two)
Before you apply, browse the program list to find an area of study that interests you. It is a good idea to select a second program on your application in case your first choice is full.
2. Review requirements & deadlines
Make sure you meet the admission requirements for your program of choice. Review admission dates and deadlines so you know when to apply and when to submit your supporting documents.
Admission requirements vary widely by program. Early in the planning process, go to the website for your top-choice programs, and check the admission requirements.
Admission requirements have two parts:
1. Categories of admission
Confirm that you have completed the required high school subjects and that you have the minimum grades to be considered for admission based on your category.
International students must qualify for admission under the regular or previous post-secondary categories for any program. The mature admission category is open only 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.
2. Additional admission criteria
In addition to academic criteria, some programs have additional admission requirements such as resumés, references, letters of intent, security checks, portfolios or auditions. Other programs require certain kinds of volunteer work or work experience, which you will need to start well before you apply.
If your program of choice has additional admission criteria, it will be listed on the admission requirements page of the program’s website.
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 by program.
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
EAL/ESL and preparatory programs
The English language proficiency requirements for EAL/ESL, University Preparation, and the Foundation Program International are listed on each program admission page.
FOUNDATION PROGRAM INTERNATIONAL
Professional development programs
International Professional Development one-year programs in the School of Continuing Education (SCE) include English language proficiency requirements with the admission requirements for each program.
Check admission dates and deadlines so you know when to apply for Fall, Winter or Spring/Summer intake. If you apply after a deadline has passed, your application fee will not be refunded.
If you are interested in an International Professional Development one-year program offered through the School of Continuing Education, visit the SCE International page for admission deadlines.
3. Talk to a recruiter
After reviewing admission information, book a meeting with an international recruiter who can answer your questions and help you make a plan.
4. Submit your application
The application process is straightforward. Just follow the steps below and respond to all communication from MacEwan University. You can apply on your own or you can use an educational agent.
Apply online to your program of choice:
Undergraduate or preparatory programs
For all undergraduate programs and preparatory programs (except EAL/ESL), 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.
English as an Additional Language program (EAL/ESL)
Apply to English as an Additional Language on the program website.
Professional development certificates
Apply for International Professional Development programs on the MacEwan University School of Continuing Education website.
Your username and password
After you apply, the Office of the University Registrar will send a MacEwan username and temporary password to the email account listed on your application. If you have not received your MacEwan username within two weeks of your application, email admissions@macewan.ca.
myPortal.MacEwan.ca
Use your MacEwan username and password to log in to myPortal.MacEwan.ca. You will be prompted to change your password the first time you log in.
In the university’s student portal, you can find links to several online applications and tools for students, such as:
- Your MacEwan University student email account (YourMacEwanUsername@mymacewan.ca). The university uses Gmail for students.
- myStudentSystem: to track your application, pay fees and manage personal information.
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 MacEwan username and temporary password, any further email communication from MacEwan University will be sent to your myMacEwan Gmail account. Access myMacEwan Gmail through myPortal.MacEwan.ca.
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.
5. Submit transcripts & documents
For academic records from outside of Canada, we require specific documents to assess your application for admission. Check the document requirements for your country and follow the process to submit your documents by the deadline.
6. Complete the process
Avoid delays by submitting admission documents as quickly as possible and monitoring your To Do List in myStudentSystem for changes or new requests.
If your program has additional admission criteria, it is important to complete those requirements as soon as possible after you have applied. This criteria may include:
- Supplying proof of English language proficiency
- Other program-specific admission criteria outlined in the admission requirements
Review admission information carefully on your program website and contact your program if you have questions.
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.
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.
When you receive your offer of admission email from MacEwan University, you will also receive an email from ApplyProof with a unique link to access your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
To access your IRCC LOA, go to the ApplyProof website through the secure link in your email and enter your unique passcode. Download and print your LOA for IRCC applications and border services.
ApplyProof™ is a valid and secure way to access and share international documents with immigration authorities and third parties. With ApplyProof, you can verify the legitimacy of your IRCC Letter of Acceptance (LOA) document online, in real-time, from anywhere in the world.
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 is automatically 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.
As of 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024, most new post-secondary international students must provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) with their study permit application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in addition to their Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
If you are outside of Canada, MacEwan will request a PAL from the provincial government on your behalf after you have been accepted to the university, confirmed your offer, and paid your deposit.
If you are inside Canada, MacEwan will send you an email to find out if you need a PAL or not. Watch for this email and complete the form. If you need a PAL, MacEwan will request it from the provincial government on your behalf. (PALs are not required for study permit extensions.)
MacEwan will send PALs to students’ mymacewan emails after they are received back from the provincial government.
Who needs a PAL?
Most new post-secondary study permit applicants unless you fall under one of the exemptions below:
- Students whose study permit application was received by IRCC before 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024
- In-Canada study permit and work permit holders
- Includes students studying in grade 12 on a valid study permit and applying for a new post-secondary study permit to attend university
- Includes study permit holders applying for an extension
- Students applying to attend primary and secondary schools
- Students currently seeking to pursue master’s or doctoral degree
- In-Canada family members of study permit or work permit holders
Read the IRCC website for more information on documents needed for a study permit application.
Offer accepted? Yes. Admission deposit paid? Yes. Now it's time to focus on other aspects of your international learning adventure. What other tasks are on your to-do list?