MacEwan University
Edmonton, Alberta
Compare MacEwan University programs, admissions, costs, residence, student support, and career pathways in one source-reviewed guide. Jump to the decision section you need below.
The short answer
- MacEwan takes applications through ApplyAlberta, not a central system. Fall applications normally open October 1, so October 1, 2026 is a planning date for Fall 2027.
- Many degrees need a 65% average across five Grade 12 courses, with no course below 50%. Nursing's current range is high 80s to mid-90s.
- Current fall deadlines run from March 30 for Nursing to July 31 for Arts. These are 2026/27 dates, not confirmed Fall 2027 deadlines.
- Domestic tuition for 2026/27 is $214 to $293 per credit, so a 15-credit term costs $3,210 to $4,395 before fees. International tuition is $941 per credit.
- Residence for 2026/27 costs $3,880 to $11,477 depending on suite and term length. Apply by April 1 for priority, since there is no first-year guarantee.
Reviewed August 14, 2026 · Official university sources · How we review guides
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Overview
Quick Facts
| Location | Edmonton, Alberta |
|---|---|
| School Type | Comprehensive teaching and applied-program university |
| Directory Size | Large university |
| Campus Setting | Major-city campus environment |
| Ranking Signal | No QS World 2026 position listed in this guide |
| Program Strengths | Business, Nursing, Fine Arts, Science, Arts |
First, look at campus and program fit. Then check official admissions, residence, and cost details. Do this before you build your final application list.
Admissions Planning
Fall 2027 application planning
MacEwan University admission requirements and current averages
MacEwan looks at five Grade 12 courses for direct high-school entry. These are English, every program prerequisite, and approved additional subjects. A 65% academic minimum applies to many degrees. But Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Science, Commerce, Design, and other competitive programs publish higher current ranges. A published minimum or range never guarantees admission.
Common minimum
65%
This is an academic floor for many programs—not MacEwan's universal competitive average.
Nursing range
High 80s–mid-90s
This is the current direct-entry planning range, not a guaranteed cutoff.
Application route
ApplyAlberta
Track documents, decisions, and the offer checklist in myStudentSystem afterward.
Fall 2027 cycle status
2027 pending · Fall 2027
MacEwan's live degree requirement pages are labelled for the "Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 intake" and publish competitive criteria in two columns, 2025/26 and 2026/27. The admission dates and deadlines page publishes opening dates and program deadlines with no academic-year label at all. No Fall 2027 requirement chart, competitive range, or program deadline is published yet.
Fall applications open October 1 every year. So October 1, 2026 is a reasonable working planning date for Fall 2027. But treat every published range and deadline below as the 2026/27 cycle. Do this until MacEwan posts the next chart.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Commerce admission requirements (2026/27 intake) · Verified August 14, 2026
Faculties and schools
2026-2027 Academic Calendar · Published for this period
The 2026-2027 Academic Calendar lists six academic units: Arts and Science, Continuing Education, Fine Arts and Communications, Health and Community Studies, Nursing, and the Triffo School of Business. MacEwan's own marketing pages describe this as "four faculties and two schools."
The business school is formally the Triffo School of Business; the Bachelor of Commerce and its co-op route sit inside it.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Faculties of the University (2026-2027 Academic Calendar edition) · Verified August 14, 2026
A single urban campus in downtown Edmonton
Current campus context · Published for this period
MacEwan's campus "sprawls through the downtown core, at the centre of municipal ward O-day'min on Treaty 6 territory" at 10700 104 Ave NW. The university points to the Ice District, Jasper Avenue, and the river valley as "a short walk from campus," and notes that 13K+ people live downtown. This is a commuter-scale city campus, not a self-contained suburban one.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Our home in O-day'min: the downtown Edmonton campus · Verified August 14, 2026
Published enrolment and program counts
2027 pending · Current institutional data
MacEwan's Institutional Analysis and Planning page describes a Fact Sheet. It covers enrolments, programs, students, staff, graduates, and facilities. But the landing page itself publishes no inline student, program, or alumni counts. No enrolment number is quoted in this guide. That is because no first-party page verified on this date states one.
Third-party enrolment counts circulate widely for MacEwan; do not repeat them. Open the Fact Sheet resource directly if you need an audited figure.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Institutional Analysis and Planning fact sheet landing page · Verified August 14, 2026
Program requirements and published competitive ranges
This table uses MacEwan's official 2026–2027 program chart and current degree pages. Alberta course names are shown because the university evaluates applicants by curriculum. Students outside Alberta should use MacEwan's equivalency guidance. Ranges can change with demand and available space.
| Program | Current range | Required subjects | Additional requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | 65% minimum | English Language Arts 30-1 and four Group A, B, C, or D courses | No separate non-academic requirement is listed. |
| Bachelor of Commerce | High 60s to mid-70s | English Language Arts 30-1, Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2, and three Group A, B, C, or D courses | The academic minimum is 65%, with no required course below 50%. |
| Bachelor of Communication Studies | 65% minimum | English Language Arts 30-1 and four Group A, B, C, or D courses | Apply to a named major: Journalism, Professional Communication, or Public Relations. |
| Bachelor of Design | Low 70s to mid-80s | English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 75% in English Language Arts 30-2, plus four Group A, B, C, or D courses | MacEwan labels the program competitive. |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts — Arts and Cultural Management | 65% minimum | English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 75% in English Language Arts 30-2, plus four Group A, B, C, or D courses | No portfolio is listed for this major in the current chart. |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts — Music Theatre Performance | 65% academic minimum | English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 75% in English Language Arts 30-2, plus four Group A, B, C, or D courses | Audition, cover letter, and resumé are required; selection is competitive. |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts — Studio Arts | 65% academic minimum | English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 75% in English Language Arts 30-2, plus four Group A, B, C, or D courses | Portfolio and statement of intent are required; selection is competitive. |
| Bachelor of Music | 65% academic minimum | English Language Arts 30-1, or at least 75% in English Language Arts 30-2, plus four Group A, B, C, or D courses | A successful audition is required after applying. |
| Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing | High 70s to high 80s | English Language Arts 30-1, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30, Mathematics 30-1, 30-2, or 31, and one Group A, B, C, or D course | A Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search is required. |
| Bachelor of Science | High 60s to high 70s | English Language Arts 30-1, Mathematics 30-1, two approved senior science or advanced-computing courses, and one Group A, B, C, or D course | The academic minimum is 65%, with no required course below 50%. |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | High 80s to mid-90s | English Language Arts 30-1, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30, Mathematics 30-1, 30-2, or 31, and one Group A, B, C, or D course | Competitive selection and a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search apply. |
| Bachelor of Social Work | Previous postsecondary study required | Applicants enter after completing the stated university prerequisites | This is not a direct-from-high-school admission route. |
Fall 2027 deadline status
MacEwan has not published its program-by-program Fall 2027 calendar
Fall applications normally open October 1. The program dates below are from the live 2026/27 cycle. They are useful planning benchmarks, not confirmed Fall 2027 deadlines. Competitive, nursing, and additional-evaluation programs close earlier than Arts.
| Program | Current fall deadline | Current winter deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | July 31 | November 30 |
| Bachelor of Commerce, or Communication Studies (Journalism, Professional Communication, or Public Relations) | June 30 | November 30 |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts — Arts and Cultural Management | June 30 | November 30 |
| Design, Music, or the Studio Arts, Music Theatre, and Theatre Production Fine Arts majors | June 30 | No intake |
| Child and Youth Care, Psychiatric Nursing (Edmonton), Physical Education Transfer, Public Safety and Justice, or Social Work | March 30 | No intake |
| Psychiatric Nursing (Ponoka or post-diploma) | June 30 | No intake |
| Bachelor of Science | June 30 | November 30 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | March 30 | October 1 |
Fall 2027 application timeline
1. Before October 2026
Check the exact degree. Check the prerequisite equivalents. Check the admission category. Check the competitive range. Check any audition, portfolio, or police-check requirement.
2. October 1, 2026 planning date
MacEwan normally opens fall applications on October 1 through ApplyAlberta. Check that Fall 2027 is live before you submit. This date is a published annual pattern, not yet a Fall 2027 program calendar.
3. After applying
Activate myStudentSystem. Check the myMacEwan email account. Complete the checklist. Send any transcript or registration confirmation they ask for.
4. March 1 planning benchmark
Apply by the current fall entrance-scholarship consideration date. Then verify the Fall 2027 scholarship rules when MacEwan updates the cycle.
5. March 30 to July 31
Treat the current program deadlines as planning benchmarks only. Programs that are competitive or need extra evaluation often close earlier than Arts.
6. Offer deadline
Accept the offer and pay the admission confirmation deposit by the date in the offer. MacEwan can withdraw an unconfirmed offer.
English-language test minimums
These are the current general undergraduate minimums. MacEwan does not accept test results more than two years old. Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, and other named programs can use different English requirements.
| Test | Current general minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, with no individual band below 5.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
| CAEL | 70 overall, with no component below 60 |
| TOEFL iBT | 86 overall with at least 21 in each section for tests taken before January 21, 2026; 4.5 overall with 4.5 in each section for tests taken as of January 21, 2026 |
| PTE Academic | 59 overall, with no section below 56 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency | 180 overall, with no skill below 165 |
| EIKEN | Grade 1 |
ApplyAlberta is the application system
Current process · Published for this period
MacEwan runs its own admission cycle and takes applications through ApplyAlberta—there is no Ontario-style centralised application centre and no province-wide January deadline. After applying you log into myPortal.MacEwan.ca with credentials sent by the Office of the University Registrar, track the file in myStudentSystem, and monitor the @mymacewan.ca Gmail account, which MacEwan says it is "crucial" to check regularly.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: How to apply and what happens after you apply · Verified August 14, 2026
Application opening dates and program deadlines
Current cycle, latest available · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Applications open October 1 for Fall. They open February 1 for Winter. They open May 1 for Spring/Summer. Current program deadlines: Bachelor of Arts July 31 (Winter November 30). Commerce, all three Communication Studies majors, Design, Music, Science, and most Fine Arts majors June 30. Bachelor of Science in Nursing March 30 with an October 1 Winter intake. Child and Youth Care, Physical Education Transfer, Public Safety and Justice, and both Social Work routes March 30.
The deadlines page carries no academic-year label, so these are the live dates rather than confirmed Fall 2027 dates. The two Psychiatric Nursing exceptions are easy to miss: Edmonton closes March 30 while Ponoka and the post-diploma route close June 30.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Admission dates and deadlines by program and intake · Verified August 14, 2026
International application deadlines
Current cycle, latest available · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
"Unless an earlier closing date is indicated, international applicants must apply by May 1 for Fall intake, October 1 for Winter intake, and January 30 for Spring/Summer intake." Programs with earlier program deadlines—Nursing at March 30, for example—override the May 1 date.
Applies to: International
MacEwan University: Admission dates and deadlines by program and intake · Verified August 14, 2026
Document and course-completion deadlines
Current cycle, latest available · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Interim evaluation documents are due two weeks after applications close. That is April 15 for programs closing March 30. It is July 15 for programs closing June 30. Unofficial documents are accepted at that stage. Final documents are due August 1 for Fall, December 1 for Winter, and April 1 for Spring/Summer. Course-completion deadlines are tighter for competitive programs. Fall high-school courses must finish by June 30, versus August 31 for first-qualified programs. Post-secondary courses must finish by April 30, versus August 31.
MacEwan warns that course-completion deadlines can fall after document deadlines and that finishing late "does not guarantee admission into a program/or enrolment into courses as space may be limited."
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Admission dates and deadlines by program and intake · Verified August 14, 2026
The 65% academic floor and how it is calculated
2026/27 intake · Published for this period
Regular admission to MacEwan's degrees requires "a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent" across the five named Grade 12 courses. Mature admission is lower in some degrees—the Bachelor of Science publishes 60 percent with the same 50 percent course floor. MacEwan states plainly that the competitive average "may change as applications are received."
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian, Mature
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Science admission requirements (2026/27 intake) · Verified August 14, 2026
Early admission on in-progress grades
Current process · Published for this period
MacEwan offers early admission before program requirements are complete. You list every Grade 12 course on the ApplyAlberta application. This includes completed, in progress, and planned courses. The file is evaluated on final Grade 11 and/or Grade 12 grades. Alberta students send a Detailed Academic Report from myPass. Applicants outside Alberta submit a Confirmation of High School Registration form. A conditional admission email goes to the myMacEwan Gmail account. The offer is final only once all conditions clear.
MacEwan warns that if it is not told you are upgrading or registered in required courses, "your application may be denied."
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian, International
MacEwan University: Early admission requirements and the ApplyAlberta route · Verified August 14, 2026
English-language evidence
Current requirements · Published for this period
General undergraduate minimums: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5. Duolingo English Test 115. CAEL 70 overall with 60 in each section. PTE Academic 59 overall with 56 in each section. Cambridge English Advanced or Proficiency 180 overall with 165 in each skill. EIKEN Grade 1. For tests before January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT is 86 overall with 21 in each section. For tests taken as of January 21, 2026, it is 4.5 overall with 4.5 in each section. Alternatives include Alberta ELA 30-1 at 75%. Others are six university English credits at B+, MacEwan's ENGL 086/087 at B-, or three or more years of full-time English-medium education.
"Test scores more than two years old will not be accepted for admission." Named programs can set higher thresholds, so check the program page as well.
Applies to: International
MacEwan University: Undergraduate English language proficiency requirements · Verified August 14, 2026
Official MacEwan admissions sources
- Current MacEwan application dates and deadlines
- How to apply through ApplyAlberta
- Early admission and self-reported courses
- 2026–2027 MacEwan program and admission chart
- Bachelor of Commerce requirements
- Bachelor of Science requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing requirements
- Undergraduate English-language proficiency
Application Checklist
| Academic Requirements | Verify prerequisite courses, minimum averages, and program-specific requirements on the official admissions pages. |
|---|---|
| Supplementary Review | Competitive programs may ask for essays, portfolios, interviews, experience profiles, or timed video responses. |
| International Applicants | Plan transcript evaluation, English-language proof if required, study permit timing, and proof-of-funds documentation. |
| Deadlines | Confirm application, document, scholarship, residence, and portfolio deadlines every cycle before submitting. |
| Stellar Coaching Use | Bring your target program to a coaching session. Bring your transcript. Bring your activities. Bring your draft responses. The session is for school-specific planning. |
Programs and Pathways
MacEwan University programs and additional admission requirements
MacEwan offers direct-entry degrees across Arts, Business, Communication, Design, Fine Arts, Music, Science, Nursing, and human services. The exact major matters. Studio Arts uses a portfolio and statement. Music Theatre uses an audition and application materials. Music uses an audition. Social Work requires prior university study.
Business and communication
Compare the Bachelor of Commerce's major and internal co-op route in the Triffo School of Business with the three separate Communication Studies admission streams: Journalism, Professional Communication, and Public Relations.
Science and health
Map Mathematics 30-1 and senior science requirements carefully. General Science, Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, and Physical Education Transfer use different subjects and competitive ranges.
Fine arts, design, and music
Complete the official university application before submitting the required audition, portfolio, statement of intent, cover letter, or resumé for the relevant major.
Human services
Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Curriculum Studies, Psychiatric Nursing, and Social Work each use academic review. They also have their own entry points, checks, or prior-study requirements.
Additional-evaluation dates are cycle-specific
MacEwan's audition, portfolio, and submission pages currently show 2025–26 or 2026-cycle windows. Use them to understand the format, then wait for the Fall 2027 window before treating any date as final. A strong academic average does not replace a required artistic evaluation.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2026/27 intake · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The 2026/27 competitive criteria are "high 80s to mid 90s" for regular and mature admission and a 3.4 to 3.8 GPA for previous post-secondary admission—well above the 65 percent academic floor. Required courses are ELA 30-1, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30, Mathematics 30-1, 30-2 or 31, and one Group A, B, C or D course. Applicants offered admission must present a clear Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search "dated as issued no earlier than 90 days before program commencement," satisfy agency immunization requirements before practice placements, and hold basic life support certification.
MacEwan advises you to allow four to six weeks for police-check processing. Start it as soon as an offer arrives, not at the document deadline.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Science in Nursing admission requirements · Verified August 14, 2026
Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing has three separate routes
2026/27 intake · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Psychiatric Nursing publishes 2026/27 competitive criteria of "high 70s to high 80s" for regular and mature admission at the Edmonton site and 3.2 to 3.6 for previous post-secondary admission. Course requirements match Nursing: ELA 30-1, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30, an approved senior mathematics, and one Group A, B, C or D course. The Edmonton intake closes March 30, but the Ponoka site and the post-diploma route both close June 30.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing admission requirements · Verified August 14, 2026
Bachelor of Commerce
2026/27 intake · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The 2026/27 competitive range is "high 60s to mid 70s." Regular admission requires ELA 30-1, Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2, and three subjects from Group A, B, C or D, with a 65 percent overall average and no course below 50 percent. The requirements page is explicitly labelled for the "Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 intake."
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Commerce admission requirements (2026/27 intake) · Verified August 14, 2026
Bachelor of Science
2026/27 intake · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The 2026/27 competitive range is "high 60s to high 70s" for both regular and mature admission. Required courses are ELA 30-1, Mathematics 30-1, two of Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Mathematics 31, Physics 30 or an advanced-level Computing Science course, and one further Group A, B, C or D subject. Mathematics 30-1 is compulsory here, unlike Commerce, where Mathematics 30-2 is accepted.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Science admission requirements (2026/27 intake) · Verified August 14, 2026
Bachelor of Design
2025/26 and 2026/27 intakes · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Design publishes an unchanged competitive range across two cycles: "low 70s to mid 80s" for regular and mature admission in both 2025/26 and 2026/27, and 2.5 to 3.3 for previous post-secondary admission. Academic requirements are ELA 30-1 or 75% in ELA 30-2 plus four subjects from Group A, B, C or D, at a 65 percent overall average.
Two identical published cycles is a useful stability signal, but MacEwan still states the competitive average "may change as applications are received."
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Design admission requirements and competitive criteria · Verified August 14, 2026
Communication Studies admits to three named majors
Current cycle, latest available · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The deadlines chart lists Bachelor of Communication Studies separately for the Journalism major, the Professional Communication major, and the Public Relations major. All three close June 30 for Fall and November 30 for Winter. Choosing the wrong major line on the application is a real risk because each is a distinct admission stream.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Admission dates and deadlines by program and intake · Verified August 14, 2026
Music is a jazz and popular music degree
Current program · Published for this period
MacEwan's Music department sits in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications and describes itself as "one of the few music programs in North America that combines studies in jazz and popular music." It offers four majors—composition, general, performance, and recording/production—and students can exit with a diploma after two years. Entry requires ELA 30-1 or 75% in ELA 30-2 plus four Group A, B, C or D subjects at a 65 percent average, and the Fall deadline is June 30.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Music department: jazz and popular music majors · Verified August 14, 2026
The Conservatory of Music is no longer part of MacEwan
Effective June 30, 2025 · Published for this period
MacEwan announced that "the beloved Conservatory of Music will transfer from MacEwan University to Edmonton's Francis Winspear Centre for Music," effective June 30, 2025. The Conservatory served roughly 2,000 students of all ages with more than 100 teachers. Applicants researching MacEwan music should not count Conservatory lessons, spaces, or programming as part of the university offering.
The announcement does not say the degree-granting Music department moved—it did not. The Bachelor of Music remains a MacEwan degree in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Conservatory of Music transfers to the Francis Winspear Centre for Music · Verified August 14, 2026
Official MacEwan program sources
- Bachelor of Commerce co-operative education
- Bachelor of Music audition guidelines
- Fine Arts Music Theatre audition guidelines
- Fine Arts Studio Arts portfolio guidelines
- Fine Arts Theatre Production statement guidelines
- Music department: jazz and popular music majors
- Conservatory of Music transfer to the Francis Winspear Centre
- Faculties of the University (2026-2027 Academic Calendar)
MacEwan University Residence Costs and Edmonton Housing
MacEwan University residence costs and application
MacEwan's downtown Edmonton residence has two-bedroom, four-bedroom, and bachelor suites. The 2026–2027 totals below include heat, electricity, water, high-speed internet, furnishings, and the Residence Life fee. Suites are self-catered, so food and personal costs are separate. The $60 application fee is non-refundable. The $400 confirmation fee becomes part of your accommodation fee payment, not an extra charge.
| Suite | Four months | Eight months | Twelve months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-bedroom suite | $3,880 | $6,710 | $9,058 |
| Four-bedroom suite | $4,116 | $7,105 | $9,600 |
| Bachelor suite | $4,930 | $8,499 | $11,477 |
April 1 buys priority, not a guarantee
MacEwan publishes priority housing, not a first-year residence guarantee. First-year students who apply by April 1 for an eight-month or twelve-month term get a shared two-bedroom or four-bedroom suite ahead of other applicants. Bachelor suites are unlikely for new residents. You can apply before your official acceptance letter arrives. Offers are issued between April and August. Keep a realistic Edmonton rental backup until a suite is confirmed.
2026/27 residence rates by suite type
2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Published 2026/27 totals, each including the Residence Life fee of $100 for a 4-month term or $200 for an 8- or 12-month term: two-bedroom suite $3,880 / $6,710 / $9,058; four-bedroom suite $4,116 / $7,105 / $9,600; bachelor suite $4,930 / $8,499 / $11,477. "There is no extra charge for heat, electricity, water or high-speed Internet." The 2025/26 comparison rates are still published alongside—an 8-month two-bedroom rose from $6,400 to $6,710.
MacEwan labels these "subject to change." Use the 2026/27 column as the planning baseline for Fall 2027 and expect a similar year-over-year increase.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Residence suite costs for 2025/26 and 2026/27 · Verified August 14, 2026
Residence application, confirmation, and other fees
2026-27 residence agreement · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The 2026-27 residence agreement sets a $60 non-refundable application fee due on application and a $400 Confirmation Fee that "will become part of Accommodation Fee Payment"—it is credited toward the residence bill, not an extra cost on top of it. The Residence Life Fee is $100 per term for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027. Other posted fees: room change $120, storage $350, improper check-out $150 plus $50 per day, early move-in or extension $50 per night, and personal content plus liability insurance at $40 per term and a $5 policy fee, with an opt-out on proof of alternate coverage. Early withdrawal is charged at the cost of the entire contract.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026-27 residence agreement: fee schedule and contract periods · Verified August 14, 2026
2026-27 contract periods
2026-27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The agreement sets five contract periods. Fall August runs August 28 to December 19, 2026. Winter January runs January 4 to April 23, 2027. Fall/Winter August runs August 28, 2026 to April 23, 2027. The 12-month period runs August 28, 2026 to August 25, 2027. Spring/Summer April runs April 30 to August 25, 2027. A Fall/Winter contract does not cover the winter break gap between terms the way a 12-month contract does.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026-27 residence agreement: fee schedule and contract periods · Verified August 14, 2026
There is no residence guarantee, only April 1 priority
Current process · Published for this period
MacEwan publishes priority housing, not a guarantee. First-year students entering the first year of a full-time program qualify for priority assignment in a shared suite only if they apply for an 8-month or 12-month term and submit by April 1. Two-bedroom and four-bedroom suites are the shared suites; of bachelor suites MacEwan says "while it is not impossible for new residents to be assigned a bachelor suite, it is unlikely." You can apply before you have your official acceptance letter, and offers for Fall/Winter or 12-month contracts arrive between April and August. Residence admission "is now limited to students attending MacEwan University."
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Residence application, priority housing, and housing offers · Verified August 14, 2026
Suites are self-catered—no mandatory meal plan
2026/27 · Published for this period
MacEwan's residence cost page says the suite includes a fridge with freezer, stove top, microwave, and dining table and chairs. It also says the suite has a double bed, bedside table, closet organizer, workstation with desk chair, and window coverings. Shared floors have high-efficiency washers and dryers, residence assistants, social and study lounges, and a games room. Neither the cost page nor the 2026-27 residence agreement imposes a meal plan. So budget groceries separately rather than a fixed dining charge.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Residence suite costs for 2025/26 and 2026/27 · Verified August 14, 2026
2027/28 residence rates
2027 pending · 2027/28
Not yet published. The comparison page currently shows only the 2025/26 and 2026/27 columns and states that costs are subject to change and that new rates will be posted when available.
Use the labelled 2026/27 column to plan your budget. Check the compare-costs page and the next residence agreement again. Do this before you treat any figure as a Fall 2027 quote.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Residence suite costs for 2025/26 and 2026/27 · Verified August 14, 2026
Student life in downtown Edmonton
Housing fit includes city fit. MacEwan is a single urban campus, so transit, the mandatory U-Pass, SAMU fees, and the Sport and Wellness membership shape day-to-day cost and routine more than they would at a self-contained campus.
LRT and transit access to a downtown campus
Current campus context · Published for this period
"All MacEwan University campuses are accessible by public transit." Campus is a few blocks from both of Edmonton's light rail lines—the Metro Line at MacEwan Station and the Capital Line at Corona Station. The U-Pass is a mandatory service provided by the Students' Association of MacEwan University and covers Edmonton, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, and Beaumont transit in each term you are enrolled in classes.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Public transit, the U-Pass, and LRT access to campus · Verified August 14, 2026
The U-Pass is a mandatory $182.50 per term
2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The 2026/27 fee schedule charges a $182.50 U-Pass Fee each Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer term. This applies to every student enrolled in an on-campus program and registered in at least one credit. It provides unlimited use of regular transit services. Special events and contracted or charter services are excluded. SAMU administers it.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026/27 mandatory term fees, SAMU fees, and admission fees · Verified August 14, 2026
SAMU and what its fees fund
2026/27 · Published for this period
The Students' Association of MacEwan University is "a statutory corporation established under section 93 of the Post-secondary Learning Act." Its General Membership, Affiliate, and Ponoka fees fund SAMU-led initiatives, student resources, and advocacy, while the $35.00 per-term Building Levy repays the SAMU Building's mortgage and covers required maintenance. SAMU also administers the U-Pass and the mandatory health and dental insurance plans.
MacEwan notes SAMU fees are set by SAMU and are subject to change, with detail published on samu.ca rather than macewan.ca.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026/27 mandatory term fees, SAMU fees, and admission fees · Verified August 14, 2026
Every student gets a Sport and Wellness membership
2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The $107.12 per-term Sport and Wellness Fee "provides students a membership to Sport and Wellness, funding for Recreation programming and Griffins Athletics." It is not applicable to programs offered at a campus outside Edmonton. MacEwan describes the Griffins as "high-performance, competitive university teams," supported by the Griff 1971 Fund for equipment, scholarships, uniforms, and travel.
MacEwan's own domain redirects macewan.ca/griffins off-site. So team lists, conference membership, and schedules are not published on a first-party macewan.ca page. They are not repeated here.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026/27 mandatory term fees, SAMU fees, and admission fees · Verified August 14, 2026
What MacEwan publishes about campus programming
Current campus life · Published for this period
MacEwan's campus life page describes "visiting speakers, student presentations, Griffins games, theatre and musical performances, art exhibits, SAMU events—and so much more," and points students to arts, culture, recreation, and opportunity sections.
MacEwan does not publish a club count on this page. Confirm any specific club is active with SAMU before planning around it.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Campus life: events, Griffins games, and SAMU programming · Verified August 14, 2026
Official MacEwan student life and transit sources
Official MacEwan residence sources
Housing and Location Questions
| Campus Setting | Major-city campus environment |
|---|---|
| Residence | Check residence guarantee rules. Check first-year room styles. Check meal plans. Check deposit deadlines. Check off-campus housing pressure. |
| City Fit | Students should compare transit, weather, cost of living, safety, and community feel in Edmonton. |
| Commuting | If you live off campus, map commute time to classes and labs. Map it to placements and evening activities too. Do this before committing. |
Tuition, Scholarships, and Aid
MacEwan University tuition and entrance scholarships
MacEwan's Board-approved 2026–2027 tuition changes by program and credit load. The examples below take the official domestic per-credit rate and multiply it by 15 credits. They do not include mandatory fees, health coverage, books, residence, food, transit, or personal costs. International undergraduate tuition is generally $941 per credit.
| Program group | Per credit | 15-credit tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Child and Youth Care, Commerce, or Social Work | $214 | $3,210 |
| Early Childhood Curriculum Studies, Music, Psychiatric Nursing, Public Safety and Justice, Science, or Nursing | $250 | $3,750 |
| Communication Studies, Design, or Fine Arts | $293 | $4,395 |
Application fee
$110
Domestic deposit
$400
International deposit
$1,000
MacEwan lists this confirmation deposit as non-refundable.
Chancellor's Scholarship Series
Under the current policy, applicants are considered automatically. Apply by March 1 for fall or July 1 for winter. Tier does not guarantee funding. Availability can change. Award values, final eligibility, and annual rules can change too.
95% to 100%
Chancellor's Scholarship
90% to 94.99%
President's Scholarship
85% to 89.99%
Provost's Scholarship
80% to 84.99%
Dean's Scholarship
2026/27 domestic tuition by program
2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Board of Governors-approved 2026/27 per-credit rates: $214 for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Social Work; $250 for the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing, and Bachelor of Music; and $293 for the Bachelor of Communication Studies and Bachelor of Design. University transfer programming is $191 per credit. A 15-credit term therefore costs $3,210, $3,750, or $4,395 in tuition alone.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian, Transfer, Mature
MacEwan University: 2026/27 Board-approved tuition rates by program · Verified August 14, 2026
2026/27 international tuition and the nine-credit floor
2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
International undergraduate tuition for 2026/27 is $941 per credit. But Fall and Winter terms have a minimum charge of $8,469 for anything from 1 to 9 credits. So a part-time international term costs the same as a nine-credit one. Charges scale from 10 credits ($9,410) up to 20 credits ($18,820). Spring/Summer terms are billed at $941 per credit from the first credit. English as an Additional Language is $421 per credit.
The nine-credit floor is the single most-missed line in MacEwan's international budget. Dropping to part-time saves no tuition in Fall or Winter.
Applies to: International
MacEwan University: 2026/27 Board-approved tuition rates by program · Verified August 14, 2026
2026/27 mandatory fees on top of tuition
2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Per-term mandatory non-instructional fees for 2026/27: Medical Clinic $10.30, Mental Health $15.00, Registrarial Service $18.90, and Sport and Wellness $107.12. SAMU fees add a General Membership Fee of $13.50 per credit to a maximum of $202.50 per term, a $35.00 Building Levy, and a $182.50 U-Pass fee. Insurance adds $114.75 for health and $93.37 for dental per term, plus MyLegalPlan at $18.00 per academic year and a $3.50 Global Education Fee per term from nine credits.
Health and dental fees are charged to full-time and part-time students alike, with an opt-out for students who hold comparable coverage.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026/27 mandatory term fees, SAMU fees, and admission fees · Verified August 14, 2026
Application fee and admission confirmation deposits
2025/26 and 2026/27 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
MacEwan publishes the same figures for 2025/26 and 2026/27: a $110 Application for Admission Fee, a $400 Admissions Confirmation Deposit for domestic applicants, and a $1,000 Admission Confirmation Deposit for international applicants. Both deposits are applied towards tuition rather than charged on top of it. The Outbound Exchange Student Application Fee is $100.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026/27 mandatory term fees, SAMU fees, and admission fees · Verified August 14, 2026
Chancellor's Scholarship Series: bands and mechanics
Current policy · Published for this period
Four automatic domestic tiers use your admission average. GPA (grade point average) tiers are Chancellor's 95-100%, President's 90-94.99%, Provost's 85-89.99%, and Dean's 80-84.99%. You are considered automatically if you apply for admission by the scholarship deadline (Fall March 1, Winter July 1). You must also be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person. You must be entering a degree program directly from high school. Fall awards are disbursed in two equal instalments. You must hold 12 credits in each of Fall and Winter by the September add/drop deadline. You must complete 12 Fall credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA to receive the Winter instalment. The award renews automatically in years 2 to 4 on the required GPA and course load.
Students entering directly from high school with dual credit courses are told to contact awards@macewan.ca to confirm eligibility.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
MacEwan University: Chancellor's Scholarship Series entrance scholarship criteria · Verified August 14, 2026
Nursing and Fine Arts are selected differently
Current policy · Published for this period
In the Faculty of Nursing, only students who meet the Chancellor's Scholarship requirements get the offer at time of admission. President's and Provost's awards are decided after the program starts. They use next-highest averages. The three tiers together can give up to 60 awards for that faculty. In the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications, students may also be selected on an outstanding audition and/or portfolio. The academic criteria still apply. If your admission average changes, MacEwan adjusts the scholarship. MacEwan re-notifies you before the term starts.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Chancellor's Scholarship Series entrance scholarship criteria · Verified August 14, 2026
International entrance scholarships use average or AGPA
Current policy · Published for this period
International students entering a degree program are placed in the same four tiers using either an admission average or an admission grade point average: Chancellor's 95-100% or AGPA above 3.99, President's 90-94.99% or 3.90-3.99, Provost's 85-89.99% or 3.70-3.89, Dean's 80-84.99% or 3.50-3.69, on the same March 1 and July 1 deadlines. Funding is finite: "if there are more qualified students than funds available, scholarships are awarded beginning with the highest averages until funds are exhausted." Starting in Fall 2026, international students must apply to be considered for the Chancellor's Continuing Scholarship Series.
Applies to: International
MacEwan University: Chancellor's Scholarship Series entrance scholarship criteria · Verified August 14, 2026
Entrance scholarship dollar values
2027 pending · Current policy
No dollar values are quoted here. MacEwan's entrance scholarship page publishes the tiers, criteria, disbursement rules, and renewal conditions. It does not publish award amounts. The dollar values live on individual award detail pages. Those pages did not return a value when verified. Plan on the tier you qualify for. Confirm the amount from your award notification email.
Third-party sites quote specific Chancellor's, President's, Provost's and Dean's amounts. None was confirmable from a first-party MacEwan page on this date, so no figure is published in this guide.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Chancellor's Scholarship Series entrance scholarship criteria · Verified August 14, 2026
2027/28 tuition status
2027 pending · 2027/28
Not yet published. The Academic Calendar's tuition page is on its 2026-2027 Edition and states the rates are for the 2026/27 academic year as approved by the MacEwan University Board of Governors. Use the domestic and international estimators with your exact program and credit load rather than extrapolating a rate.
Budget with the labelled 2026/27 schedule and re-check the calendar before treating any figure as a Fall 2027 quote.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: 2026/27 Board-approved tuition rates by program · Verified August 14, 2026
Cost Planning
| Tuition | Tuition depends on your program, student status, and year. Check domestic and international tuition on the official fee schedule. |
|---|---|
| Scholarships | Check automatic entrance awards, competitive major awards, faculty scholarships, and international-student awards. |
| Living Costs | Budget for residence or rent, food, books, and transit. Also budget for health insurance, winter clothing, and emergency funds. |
| Proof of Funds | International students should confirm current study-permit financial requirements and school-specific cost estimates. |
Student Life and Support
Fit Signals
| Community | Large university profile: compare class feel and access to professors. Also compare student clubs and how easy it is to build community. |
|---|---|
| Student Supports | Review academic advising, accessibility services, mental health supports, international student services, and writing centres. |
| Clubs and Leadership | Look for discipline clubs, cultural groups, entrepreneurship programs, varsity/intramural sports, and volunteering. |
| First-Year Transition | Ask how orientation, peer mentorship, residence programming, and advising help students settle in. |
Co-op, Research, and Career Outcomes
MacEwan University co-op: Bachelor of Commerce entry and fees
MacEwan's current co-operative education route is an internal option. It is for Bachelor of Commerce students across its majors. It is not guaranteed direct entry from high school. The quota-limited selection considers grades, work, and extracurricular or volunteer experience.
Program
The current university co-operative education route sits within the Bachelor of Commerce. It covers Accounting and Human Resources Management. It also covers International Business, Management, Marketing, Legal Studies in Business, and Supply Chain Management.
Entry timing
Accounting students normally apply in first or second year. Students in other majors apply during their first semester at MacEwan.
Selection
Admission is competitive. It is limited by quota. MacEwan reviews GPA, work experience, and extracurricular or volunteer experience.
Previous work
Applicants need at least 650 hours of paid work experience completed during the previous three years.
Accounting preparation
Before the first work term, Accounting students need ACCT 311, ACCT 322, and FNCE 301 with a minimum 3.0 GPA across those courses.
Courses and fees
The route adds four Co-operative Education courses to the degree. MacEwan currently states you will be charged $537 for each co-op course.
Co-op admission does not guarantee a job
Students still compete for work. They apply and do interviews. Employer demand matters. So do eligibility, academic standing, and work authorization. International students should confirm their co-op work-permit requirements. Do this before the first work term.
Co-op exists only in the Bachelor of Commerce
Current program · Published for this period
MacEwan's university co-operative education route sits in the Bachelor of Commerce and covers Accounting, Human Resources Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, Legal Studies in Business, and Supply Chain Management. Accounting majors may apply during their first or second year; all other majors apply in their first semester at MacEwan. Admission is not guaranteed to all qualified applicants, and MacEwan states the placements are "not entry level roles."
This is an internal application with a quota limit. You apply after you start. It is not a direct-entry co-op stream you can choose from high school.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Commerce co-operative education · Verified August 14, 2026
Co-op eligibility: 650 hours and course gates
Current program · Published for this period
Every applicant needs "a minimum of 650 hours of paid work experience within the past three years." Accounting students must complete ACCT 311, ACCT 322, and FNCE 301 with a 3.00 GPA before being eligible for a work term. The route adds four Co-operative Education courses to the degree.
The 650-hour requirement is the gate most high-school applicants overlook. Part-time paid work during Grade 11 and 12 counts toward it.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Commerce co-operative education · Verified August 14, 2026
Co-op course fee
Current fee · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
"You will be charged a fee of $537 for each co-op course." With four co-op courses in the route, that is the incremental co-op charge on top of regular degree tuition.
Fee amounts change with the fee schedule; confirm the figure for the year you enter co-op.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Commerce co-operative education · Verified August 14, 2026
Field placements are the non-Commerce work route
Current program · Published for this period
Communication Studies students take a required professional field placement. It is 3 credits and 180 to 250 hours. The exact hours vary by major and program-of-study year. It is usually at the end of third year. Eligibility requires 84 completed credits. These must include BCSC 306: Ethical Practice and Portfolio with a minimum grade of C-. You must attend a field placement information session. You must complete a Field Placement Description form. International students on an out-of-country placement have extra permit and IRCC panel-physician medical requirements. International students on a vulnerable-population placement have the same extra requirements.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Bachelor of Communication Studies professional field placement · Verified August 14, 2026
How MacEwan frames experiential learning
Current framing · Published for this period
MacEwan publishes four categories of experiential learning: student research, experiential coursework, Work-Integrated Learning, and Education Abroad. Its public pages describe the purpose—connecting "what you study in class with real-world, hands-on experience"—without publishing program counts, placement lengths, or paid-versus-unpaid breakdowns.
No MacEwan work-integrated learning participation rate is published on these pages. No employment outcome figure is published on these pages either. So none is quoted here. Ask the program's academic advisor for program-level placement detail.
Applies to: All applicants
MacEwan University: Experiential learning categories across MacEwan programs · Verified August 14, 2026
Official MacEwan co-op source
Career Planning
| Experiential Learning | Check if your target program offers co-op or internships. Also check for clinical placements, practicums, studios, field schools, or research terms. |
|---|---|
| Career Services | Compare job boards, employer partnerships, resume support, interview preparation, and alumni mentoring. |
| Research Access | For graduate-school or professional-school pathways, look for undergraduate research assistant roles and lab access. |
| Outcome Questions | Ask where graduates work or study next, and whether outcomes differ by program, co-op stream, or campus. |
MacEwan University applicants need to match the exact program prerequisites. They need to match the competitive range too. They must tell confirmed 2026/27 figures apart from the still-unpublished Fall 2027 program calendar. They must complete any artistic evaluation. They should compare tuition, scholarships, residence, and English requirements. They should also compare the internal Bachelor of Commerce co-op route. This guide keeps those decisions on one page. The page is canonical and backed by official sources.
MacEwan University admission requirements, averages, tuition, scholarships, residence, and co-op questions
Direct answers to MacEwan's program requirements and current competitive ranges, Fall 2027 deadline status, ApplyAlberta, Nursing, Science, artistic evaluations, English tests, tuition, scholarships, residence costs, housing availability, and Bachelor of Commerce co-op.
Official Sources and Next Steps
Stellar keeps this guide structured for comparison. But official university pages remain the source of truth. They are the source of truth for program requirements, tuition, residence, scholarships, deadlines, and policy changes.
Prepared by Stellar Advisers Editorial Team · Reviewed August 14, 2026 · Editorial, corrections, and source methodology
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