Application and Admission
Admission Requirements
Students must:
- Be 18 years of age or older.*
- Have a high beginner to advanced level of English.**
- Be willing to participate in all classroom activities.
*If you are 17 and have completed high school, please contact us.
**See program pages for additional admission requirements for the Academic Communication Certificate and advanced placement into level 5 and 6 of the Semester Program.
Application Fee
A $200 non-refundable application fee is required for admission into the English Language Program. This is a one-time fee.
Visas/permits
Most international students require an entrance document to enter and study in Canada — either a visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for shorter programs — or a study permit for programs of study over 6 months.
Check with your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for more information.
Students can apply online for entrance documents and study permits with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Depending on the country from which you are applying, processing times can take several months. We strongly advise you to apply for your entrance documents and study permit as soon as possible, but at least three months prior to the start date of your program.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
The Government of Canada requires that all new study permit applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province in which they intend to study. The English Language Program will secure PALs for students who register in two or more PAL-eligible programs (ESL 100 and EAP 200) within a 12-month period. PAL eligible programs have dedicated sections for students requiring PALs.
Payment
Payment Information
All course fees are in Canadian dollars.
Visa, MasterCard, or American Express are the recommended methods of payment. If paying in person, cash or debit card are also acceptable.
Students can use Convera as an alternative payment method. International bank wire transfers are also accepted, but require a $60 processing fee. Bank wire refunds usually takes a minimum of 3 months and require a $60 processing fee. Please contact esl@ucalgary.ca for details if you want to pay by bank wire.
Deposits
A deposit is required for each course at the time of registration after which students will receive a Letter of Admission (LOA). All course deposits are towards tuition, not in addition to it. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable (exceptions may apply if conditions are met). Full payment is due 15 days before the course begins; if full payment is not received, the student will be withdrawn from the course, forfeiting the course deposit.
- ESL 100/EAP 200*: $850
- ESL101/111: $200
- ESL 102/103: $250 for package, see each course for individual activity deposit amount.
- ESL 900/901/911: $300
*Students requiring a PAL must register in the appropriate ESL 100/EAP 200 PAL eligible sections and pay 50% of the tuition at the time of registration.
Deadlines
Full payment is due 15 days before the course begins; if full payment is not received, the student will be withdrawn from the course, forfeiting the course deposit.
Two weeks after the course begins, students not present will be withdrawn in accordance to the refund policy. Please inform the office if you cannot start the course on time.
Refund Policy
All withdrawal and transfer requests must be made in writing. All refunds will be made via the original payment method. Please note that program application fees and homestay placement fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. For Activity Program courses without deposit, no transfers or refunds will be made.
Tuition Refunds and Transfers
Tuition refund and transfer eligibility is relative to the course start date and PAL requirements of each course.
Refunds/transfers related to entry status require supporting documents from the Government of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship:
- A copy of the visa/permit refusal letter
- A copy of the visa/permit Application Status webpage indicating the application is still in progress.
Application for entry to Canada must have been submitted at least 3 months prior to your program start date. Please be advised that the entry status refund policy pertains to program applicants only, not family members or dependents.
| Regular Sections | Regular Sections | PAL Eligible Sections | PAL Eligible Sections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Days before | Personal | Visa/permit | Personal | Visa/permit |
> 15 days | 100% tuition refunded | 100% tuition refunded | 65% tuition refunded | 95% tuition refunded |
2-14 days | 50% of tuition refunded | 50% of tuition refunded | 50% of tuition refunded | 50% of tuition refunded |
< 2 days | No Refund | No Refund | No Refund | No Refund |
Refund Examples per course for ESL 100
- 2 – 14 days before start date (All Students): $4,475/2=$2,237.50
- 15 or more days before start date:
- Regular ELP Sections
Personal Reason: $4,475-$850= $3,625
Visa/Permit rejection/delay: $4475-$100=$4375
- PAL Eligible Sections
Personal Reason: $4,475 x 0.65= $2,908.75.
Visa/Permit rejection/delay: $4,475 x 0.95= $4,251.25
- Regular ELP Sections
Refund Example for multiple courses
A student has enrolled into Fall 2024 ESL111, and Winter 2025 ESL100 and Spring 2025 ESL 100. The student requested a refund 5 days before the first course for visa/permit related reasons.
Refund amount per program:
ESL 111: $975 /2 =$487.5
ESL 100: $4475 x 0.95 = $4251.25
ESL 100: $4475 x 0.95 = $4251.25
Total refund: $8990
Homestay
Homestay Fees (for students registered in homestay)
A non-refundable $375 placement fee and deposit is required to apply for homestay.
Applications must be received 30 days before the start of the course.
A $250 storage fee will be charged for periods where students are temporarily absent from homestay and intending to return to the same homestay within 3 weeks. Regular homestay fees will not be charged during this period.
Homestay Refunds and Transfers
A 14-day notice period is required to withdraw from the Homestay Program. Deposit(s) and fees for unused future homestay period will be refunded/transferred after the amount of the 14-day notice period has been deducted.
Homestay refunds of two nights or less will not be processed.
Change in Homestay Placements
A $375 non-refundable placement fee is required each time a placement is requested. To change hosts, appropriate notice and an additional placement fee is required. Placements are subject to availability. Additional placement fees are not required when the assigned host family is unable to host the student and a new homestay placement is required.