University of Alberta kinesiology admission requirements: a 70% minimum, a mid to high 80s range and two different degrees

The Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation offers a Bachelor of Kinesiology (BKin) and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (BSc Kin). It also offers a BA in Recreation, Sport and Tourism and a five year combined BKin and Bachelor of Education.

The BKin mixes arts and science. You study psychology, sociology, physiology, biomechanics and motor learning. Its majors are Adapted Physical Activity, Physical Activity and Health, Sport Performance, or a major you design yourself.

The BSc Kin is a science degree focused on performance, health promotion and chronic disease. It includes courses such as MATH 134, CHEM 261 and BIOCH 200 alongside kinesiology courses.

For the BSc Kin, U of A asks for English Language Arts 30-1, Chemistry 30, Mathematics 30-1 and Physics 30. The fifth course is Biology 30, Physical Education 30 or a Recreation Leadership course. In Ontario that means ENG4U, SCH4U, MHF4U and SPH4U, plus SBI4U or Introductory Kinesiology (PSK4U).

Physics is the surprise. Many kinesiology programs do not ask for it, but the BSc Kin does. If you skip SPH4U, the BKin is still open to you.

The BKin needs ELA 30-1 plus four courses from U of A subject groups: two from Group A or C, one from Group C and one from Group B or C, or Physical Education 30. Math 30-2 (MDM4U) can count as a Group C course, but you cannot use both MHF4U and MDM4U. U of A only accepts Grade 12 U or M courses from Ontario. Plan with our course planner.

Both degrees list a minimum of 70%. U of A says meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Its competitive ranges, based on the past three admission cycles, are the mid to high 80s for both the BKin and the BSc Kin.

The combined BKin and BEd runs higher, in the mid 80s to low 90s. The BA in Recreation, Sport and Tourism sits in the mid to high 70s. U of A does not publish an acceptance rate. Check your marks with our Top 6 average calculator, then look at the five courses U of A uses.

The faculty's high school page lists courses and a minimum average only. It lists no personal statement, interview or Casper test for these degrees. Your five course average decides your file.

Students who have finished fewer than 24 transferable credits at another school are judged as high school applicants. Transfer students with more credits need a GPA of 2.6 and above for either degree, based on recent ranges.

Applications open October 1, 2026. Most programs, including kinesiology, close March 1, 2027. The entrance award application closes January 10, 2027.

You can self report final marks by April 30, 2027. Offers made before April 1 must be accepted by May 1. Outstanding high school documents are due August 1, 2027. Compare dates on our Canadian deadlines page.

There is no co-op stream in U of A kinesiology. Students who started in Fall 2024 or later take KRLS 493 In-Field Experience in fourth year after KRLS 290. It is up to 180 hours of unpaid, supervised work in clinical, private, community or research settings.

It replaces the older 455 hour unpaid practicum, which still applies to students who began before Fall 2024. The new model lets you shape the placement with the agency and your instructor. A spring option runs six weeks at about 30 hours a week.

U of A lists careers such as kinesiologist, exercise and fitness specialist, strength and conditioning specialist and coach for BKin graduates. For BSc Kin graduates it lists kinesiologist, exercise therapist, certified exercise physiologist and rehabilitation specialist.

Both pages say the degree is a good base for later study in medicine, physical therapy, athletic therapy or chiropractic. Those programs set their own rules, so check them early if that is your plan.

Pick the BSc Kin if you want a science heavy degree and plan to apply later to physical therapy, medicine or chiropractic. It needs Chemistry, Advanced Functions and Physics in Grade 12, so lock those in early.

Pick the BKin if you like the social and coaching side of movement, or if Physics is not in your timetable. Its majors in Adapted Physical Activity, Physical Activity and Health and Sport Performance lead to work in fitness, coaching and community health.

If you want to teach physical education, look at the five year combined BKin and BEd. It needs a higher average, in the mid 80s to low 90s over recent cycles. Both main degrees share the same mid to high 80s range, so your choice should follow your interests and courses, not your odds.

U of A sets tuition with a fee index. For 2026-27 the index value is $121.56. Most undergraduate three credit courses have a fee index of 6, which is $729.36 per course. Kinesiology is not listed among the faculties with a different rate.

A full year is usually 10 courses, so about $7,294 for a Canadian student, before fees, books and housing. Confirm your exact number with the Student Service Centre.

For September 2027 entry, the Gold Standard Scholarship gives up to $6,000 to the top 5% of students in each faculty, based on admission average. Indigenous students with 80% or more may receive $1,500.

The Awards Hub opens October 1, 2026 and closes January 10, 2027. You must enter straight from high school into full time first year study.

The 70% minimum can mislead. Recent admits sat in the mid to high 80s, so plan for that range and add a few other schools.

Make sure your child picks the degree before Grade 12 courses are set, since the BSc Kin needs Physics. Also read the U of A admissions overview and our U of A guide.