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.
Visas/permit application
Most international students require an entrance document — either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — and possibly a study permit to enter and study in Canada. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca/student-services/iss/immigration/study-permits.
Check with your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for more information on applying for entrance documents and study permits.
Application Fee
A $200 non-refundable application fee is required for admission into the English Language Program. This is a one-time fee.
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 convera or bank wire.
Deposits
A deposit is required for each course at the time of registration. 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).
- ESL 100/EAP 200: $500
- ESL101/111: $200
- ESL 102: $150
- ESL 103: $100 for overnight trips, $50 for day trips
- ESL 900/901/911: $240
Deadlines
Applications and non-refundable deposits must be received 30 days before the start of the course.
Full payment is due 15 days before the course begins; if full payment is not received, the student will be withdrawn from the course, forfeiting the course deposit.
Two weeks after the course begins, students not present will be withdrawn in accordance to the refund policy.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.
Homestay Fees (for students registered in homestay)
A non-refundable $275 placement fee is required to apply for homestay. This fee is required each time a placement is requested.
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.
Refund Policy
All withdrawals 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 courses without deposit, no transfer or refund will be given.
Tuition Refunds and Transfers
Tuition refund and course transfer eligibility is relative to the course start date.
15 or more days before start date
Your full tuition less deposits will be refunded. For example, for ESL 100 ($4200) your refund would be calculated as follows: $4200-$500= $3700
2 – 14 days before start date
50% of tuition less deposits will be refunded. For example, for ESL 100 ($4200) your refund would be calculated as follows: ($4200-$500)/2=$1850
Less than 24 hours before start date
No refunds/transfers.
Homestay Refunds (for students registered in homestay)
A 14-day notice period is required to cancel homestay. Unused homestay fees and deposits will be refunded on a prorated basis, calculated after the amount of the 14-day notice period has been deducted. Homestay refunds of two nights or less will not be processed.
15 or more days before starting homestay
Full refund less placement fee. For example, for ESL 900 ($2925) your refund would be calculated as follows: $2925
2 – 14 days before starting homestay
Full refund less placement fee and two weeks notice. For example, for ESL 900 ($2925), if notified 7 days before homestay begins, your refund would be calculated as follows: $2925-$225= $2700
After starting homestay
Full refund less the number of weeks of homestay used, placement fee, and two weeks notice. For example, notified 14 days after homestay begins: $2925 – ($225x4)= $2025
Homestay refunds can be transferred to future homestay.
Please contact us at esl@ucalgary.ca or +1-403-220-3301 if you have any questions or concerns regarding the deadlines and policies.
Tuition Refunds and Transfers Related to Visa/Permit Status
If you submitted an application for entry to Canada at least 3 months prior to your program start date and the Government of Canada does not provide you with the required visa/permit to enter Canada, your course tuition fees and deposits will be refunded/ transferred as follows:
15 or more days before start date
Your full tuition less administrative fee of $50 will be refunded. For example, for ESL 100 ($4200) your refund would be calculated as follows: $4200-$50= $4150
2 – 14 days before start date
50% of tuition will be refunded. For example, for ESL 100 ($4200) your refund would be calculated as follows: $4200/2=$2100
Less than 24 hours before start date
No refunds/transfers.
Refunds/transfer related to entry status require supporting documents from the Government of Canada Immigration 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