Education & Training

If you want to find out about post-secondary schools and programs in Alberta and distance learning programs available in Western Canada go to Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) EDinfo.

Universities

Alberta has four excellent universities; three are campus-based and one is a distance-learning university. They offer:

• Undergraduate degrees (Bachelors and Honours)
• Graduate degrees (Master’s and Doctorate)
• Continuing education programs

Some areas of study in universities in Alberta are:

• Agriculture
• Engineering
• Fine arts
• Home economics
• Law
• Medicine
• Social sciences

The universities also carry out research in a wide variety of disciplines. The university populations in Alberta range from 5,000 to over 30,000 students attending one institution.

• Athabasca University
• Grant MacEwan University
• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• University of Lethbridge

Technical institutes

Technical institutes respond to labour market needs and offer programs tailored to workplace requirements.

Two of Canada’s finest technical institutes are located in Alberta. They are:

• The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
• The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

They offer:

• One-year certificates
• Two-year diplomas
• Applied degrees
• Apprenticeship training
• Continuing education programs

Some areas of study in technical institutes Alberta include:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Environment
• Medical and health sciences
• Computer technology
• Journalism
• Business-related programs are offered in marketing, communications, computing, hospitality and applied arts.

For current information regarding trades and apprenticeships in Alberta, please go to Trade Secrets.

Colleges, learning institutions and supports

Alberta has eight private institutions accredited to grant specific degrees at the university level. Alberta also has numerous other private colleges, some affiliated with post-secondary institutions in Alberta, the United States, and Canadian or American bible colleges and theological schools.There are also over 140 private training institutions that offer programs, licensed under the Private Vocational Schools Act, ranging from aesthetics and auctioneering to medical reception and funeral service. Some links of colleges, institutions and programs are listed below:

• Academy of Learning
• Alberta learning information service
• Bredin Centre for Learning
• BGS Career & Employment Workshops
• Campbell College
• Camrose CareGiving Institute
• CDI College
• Changing Together – A Centre for Immigrant Women
• Concordia University College of Alberta
• Digital School Technical Design College
• Edmonton Men’s Support Services
• Edmonton Public Schools
• McBride Career Group Inc.
• NorQuest College
• Red Deer College
• Reeves College
• Robertson College
• Solomon College
• Startup Edmonton

Post secondary education financing

Financing post-secondary education usually comes from a combination of financial sources. For further information on student financial sources go to:

Alberta Learning Information Service

• Includes comprehensive information about student loans and financial awards available in Alberta

Windmill Microlending

• Provides micro loans of up to $15,000 to internationally trained immigrant professionals, trades people and skilled workers so they may obtain the Canadian licensing or training that will allow them to gain employment in their field.

Career Loans

• Career Loans provides career counselling and microloans of up to $15,000 to help skilled immigrants fulfill their career goals in Canada. This is a virtual program and is especially designed to help newcomers who encounter barriers in having their credentials recognized, or face challenges in securing funding to get re-certified.

BGS Assessment & Case Management Centre

• BGS Enterprises Inc, working in partnership with Alberta Employment, Immigration, & Industry (AEII), provides Assessment and Case Management services to Albertans who are seeking grant funding to attend schools that have not signed an Accountability Framework Agreement (AFA) with AEII to provide their own Assessment and Case Management Services.

Disclaimer: Some of the information and services found on this web site have been provided by external sources. ERIEC is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information or services provided by external sources. Users wishing to rely upon this information or services should consult directly with the appropriate source.