Types of Post-Secondary Institutions
Alberta offers an internationally recognized advanced education system that is resilient, responsive, and relevant to learner needs. Aware of diversifying social and economic needs, Alberta’s education system is the driving force behind a knowledge based economy.
The post-secondary system is driven by the concept of Campus Alberta. Rather than a program or institution, Campus Alberta refers to a set of principles in which the learning system works together to deliver seamless learning opportunities.
There are six main classifications of post-secondary institutions. In choosing an institution, consider your long-term academic and career goals. You should be aware that there are often transfer options between them—the online guide for by course and by program agreements is found at http://www.transferalberta.ca. Feel free to visit the institutional websites below to see what they have to offer.
Comprehensive Academic & Research Institutions
Comprehensive Academic & Research Institutions offer academic programs and degrees at the baccalaureate (undergraduate), Master’s, and doctoral level. They also offer Continuing Education certificates and English as a Second Language programs.
The University of Alberta, University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge are campus-based institutions that conduct pure and applied research in a wide range of disciplines.
Athabasca University is an open university that provides education through distance delivery and conducts research primarily in the area of distance education delivery.
|
Institution Name |
Main Campus Location |
|
Online/Distance |
|
|
Edmonton |
|
|
Calgary |
|
|
Lethbridge |
Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
Alberta has two institutions which provide certificates, diplomas, applied degrees and baccalaureate degrees in specified areas. They also offer academic upgrading and university transfer programs.
|
Institution Name |
Main Campus Location |
|
Edmonton |
|
|
Calgary |
Comprehensive Community Institutions
Alberta has a network of publicly-funded colleges across cities and towns that provide broad programming—certificate, diploma, foundational learning, upgrading, and English as a Second Language programs are included. They may provide university transfer (years one and two) and applied degrees.
|
Institution Name |
Main Campus Location |
|
Calgary |
|
|
Grande Prarie |
|
|
Fort McMurray |
|
|
Vermillion & Lloydminster |
|
|
Lethbridge |
|
|
Medicine Hat |
|
|
Edmonton |
|
|
Slave Lake & Region |
|
|
Olds & Region |
|
|
Lac La Biche |
|
|
Red Deer |
Polytechnical Institutions
Polytechnical institutes offer programs tailored to workplace requirements, with an emphasis on technical programs that are in market demand, and within particular industries such as Business, Transportation, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technologies and Construction.
Two of Canada's best polytechnical institutes, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and SAIT Polytechnic, are located in Alberta. They offer certificates, applied degrees, apprenticeship training, continuing education and English as a Second Language programs.
|
Institution Name |
Main Campus Location |
|
Edmonton |
|
|
Calgary |
Specialized Arts and Culture Institutions
Alberta has 2 institutions that concentrate on the fine arts, cultural programming, and professional development.
|
Institution Name |
Main Campus Location |
|
Calgary |
|
|
Banff |
Independent Academic Institutions
Alberta has five private colleges approved and accredited through the Campus Alberta Quality Council to grant specific academic degrees at the university level. A publicly funded Alberta private college offers approved degrees and has the Minister’s permission to use the word ‘university’ in its name. These private, not-for-profit colleges provide primarily liberal arts, science, and education baccalaureate programs.
|
Institution Name |
Main Campus Location |
|
Calgary |
|
|
Lacombe |
|
|
Edmonton |
|
|
Edmonton |
|
|
Calgary |
