Alberta, Canada may be best known for its Rocky Mountain parks, energy industry, and cowboy culture celebrated yearly at the Calgary Stampede. It’s all of these things, and so much more. On top of mountains and prairie, Alberta has vast boreal forests, rolling foothills, and badlands so rich in fossils that the town of Drumheller is called the Dinosaur Capital of the World! Want to study in Canada? Read on to learn more about seven Alberta colleges and polytechnics that are great fits for international students.
This prairie province has the youngest average population in Canada, which drives innovation in fields ranging from nanotech to culinary studies. That said, people from everywhere are drawn to Alberta’s growing job market and natural beauty, since residents also enjoy a more affordable cost of living than those in Ontario and British Columbia.
So, why should you study in Alberta? Quality education opportunities and competitive tuition rates, to start.
Now, let’s look at some great Alberta colleges and polytechnics for international students.
Short on time? Jump to each institution:
- Bow Valley College
- Keyano College
- Lakeland College
- NorQuest College
- Northwestern Polytechnic
- Olds College
- Red Deer Polytechnic
Bow Valley College
With over 40 programs, many including work experience, Bow Valley College prepares students for success. Its student satisfaction rate is over 94%, so whether you enroll in English-language learning classes, diploma programs, or post-diploma certificates, you can be confident you’ll build the skills needed to accelerate your career.
Popular programs include:
The campus is in downtown Calgary—Alberta’s largest city, ranked the world’s third-most livable city in 2022. Students can easily access many campus and city amenities, and the college is accessible by public transit. Thanks to Bow Valley College’s industry ties, you may build your professional network and work alongside local leaders in your field during a co-op or term project. The city’s major industries include energy, finance, education, government, and hospitality, with growing digital media, video game, and biotech industries.
Keyano College
Keyano College in Fort McMurray, one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, supports over 3,000 full-time learners in over 30 programs. The college offers college diplomas and certificates, skilled trades apprenticeships, degree programs, and one- and two-year university transfer programs.
Popular programs include:
- Business Administration – Accounting
- Bachelor of Science – Engineering – Transfer to University of Alberta
- Bachelor of Science – Nursing
- Environmental Technology (optional co-op)
Living and studying in a new country means making some big adjustments. To support international students’ well-being, Keyano offers an International Preparatory Course (IPC). It’s a one-month course you’ll take the month before your first semester starts, where you can learn about academic skills, community services, time and stress management, campus policies, and Canadian history and culture. During this course, your meals are provided by Keyano, and if you’ll be living in on-campus housing for the term after IPC, your accommodations are free during IPC.
Did you know that Canada needs over 250,000 new skilled trades apprentices over the next five years? Learn about studying a skilled trade in Canada on our blog!
Lakeland College
Join over 8,000 full- and part-time students at Lakeland College. With two campuses in the communities of Lloydminster and Vermilion, Lakeland offers over 50 degree, diploma, certificate, and university transfer programs. As the Heavy Oil Capital of the World, Lloydminster is a hub for the Canadian oil and gas industry. Both Lloydminster and Vermilion also have close ties to agriculture, given their location in the heart of the Canadian prairies.
Popular programs include:
- Animal Science Technology – Livestock
- Business Administration – Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Sciences – Environmental Conservation and Reclamation
- Process and Power Engineering
Whether you graduate into the workforce or transfer to another institution, Lakeland sets you up for success: over 90% of programs have hands-on learning opportunities. Plus, a close-knit student culture and housing options on campus can help you feel at home. Finished your program? Companies rank Lakeland grads highly, with 99% of surveyed employers noting they’re likely to hire a Lakeland graduate again.
NorQuest College
Did you know that the students and staff at NorQuest College speak 72 different languages? As international students represent 57% of the student body, the NorQuest team knows not to use a one-size-fits-all approach. Their team offers academic upgrading, university transfer, English-language learning, certificate, and diploma programs to a student body of almost 20,000 learners.
Popular programs include:
- Energy Management
- Practical Nurse for Internationally-Educated Nurses
- Machine Learning Analyst
- Settlement Studies
Thanks to partnerships with industry and government, students in over 30 programs test their skills in the field through work-integrated learning. As the NorQuest campus is located in Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton, you’ll find local work placements, whether you’re studying health sciences or machinery manufacturing. The city’s other major employers include agriculture, construction, energy, education, and machine intelligence.
Northwestern Polytechnic
The communities of Grande Prairie and Fairview are home to Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), the province’s newest polytechnic. Most of NWP’s certificate, diploma, and university transfer programs are open to international students. An entrepreneurial spirit is central to NWP’s programs, and the polytechnic’s vision of wanting “everyone to have the confidence to turn risk into opportunity” matches the adventurous, brave spirit of international students!
Popular programs include:
- Bachelor of Commerce – University Transfer
- Bachelor of Computing Science
- Early Learning and Child Care
- Practical Nurse
Important Note: NWP offers many programs (like Early Learning and Child Care) at the college certificate and college diploma levels. Research which option works best for you, and ensure you register for the right one.
With programs in fine arts, science, education, trades and technical training, agriculture, nursing, technology, and more, it’s likely there’s a NWP program which fits your academic goals. Plus, students enjoy hands-on learning, affordable tuition, on-campus housing and childcare options.
Tip: Studying abroad on a budget? The cost of living in northern Alberta is more affordable versus larger communities in Alberta.
Olds College
International students who want to study agriculture, environmental management, or horticulture should definitely consider Olds College. As one of Canada’s Top 10 Research Colleges, it has taught students the research and practical skills they need to excel in these fields for over 100 years and enjoys a 96% recommendation rate from current students. Plus, with an average class size of 25 students, you’ll have plenty of time to connect with other learners and your instructors.
Popular programs include:
- Agribusiness
- Agriculture Technology Integration
- Animal Health Technology
- Business Management – Sports Management
A standout feature of Olds College is its Smart Farm. This 3,600-acre farm is a living lab space. On the farm, you can work with a commercial cow/calf herd, learn to make beer at the student brewery, or shape the future of farming with autonomous agricultural equipment.
As a town located between the cities of Red Deer and Calgary, students in Olds enjoy its small-town charm (and closeness to the Canadian Rockies), while being near enough to larger cities to drive in for a shopping trip or event.
Red Deer Polytechnic
Red Deer Polytechnic offers over 40 programs to international students that focus on career-readiness and employability. And it works: 92% of graduates are employed within six months of graduation. Whether you choose a certificate, diploma, degree, or trades-based program at one of its two campuses, you’ll collaborate with other students, faculty, and local businesses to find solutions to industry and community challenges.
Popular programs include:
- Bachelor of Science – Nursing (Collaborative with the University of Alberta)
- Business Diploma
- Health Care Aide
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
Living in Red Deer means living in the heart of the province. It’s Alberta’s third-largest city, home to 105,000 people. It’s a young city—the median age of residents is under 35!—with diverse amenities and shopping options. The community is lively, with locals flocking to yearly events like the Central Alberta Film Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Afro-Caribbean Festival.
Considering a health sciences career? Here’s why studying in Canada is a great choice.
No matter your career goals, Alberta colleges and polytechnics have programs that can help you take your work to the next level. Best of luck with your study abroad journey!
Ready to take the next step? Find your program match using the free ApplyBoard Platform.
