Universities in Saskatchewan: USask, U of R, the federated colleges and how to apply

Two. The Government of Saskatchewan describes the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina as the province's two universities. They offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs.

Four federated colleges are academically tied to them but are legally and financially independent: Campion College, Luther College and First Nations University of Canada at the U of R, and St. Thomas More College at USask. The province also lists affiliated colleges, most of them theological colleges, which usually aren't academically integrated with a university.

Outside the universities, there's Saskatchewan Polytechnic and a set of regional colleges that offer certificates, diplomas and some degrees in small classes.

Saskatchewan doesn't have a shared service like OUAC or ApplyAlberta. The province tells you to check with each institution, because the application process and fees vary by school.

At USask, you apply through its own admissions portal. The fee is at least $120 for most programs. At the U of R, you submit an application, pay the fee and send your high school transcripts, all through the U of R's own system.

If you want a federated college, you don't fill in a separate form. Campion, Luther and First Nations University all use the U of R application, and you pick the college on it. At USask, Arts & Science applicants can declare as St. Thomas More students on the application or later.

USask sets dates by program, so check the page for yours. For Computer Science and International Studies, Canadian high school students apply by July 15, 2027 and send documents by August 1, 2027. International students apply by May 1, 2027 and send documents by June 1, 2027.

Don't wait for July. To be considered for USask Entrance Scholarships or Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarships, you need your application, fee, transcript and other documents in by December 1. Applying early also gets you an earlier decision.

For program detail, see our USask engineering, USask nursing and USask computer science pages, and our USask acceptance rate page.

USask publishes an Ontario sheet for 2027-28 entry. It works out your admission average from five marks: your best English or French 4U course, your best 4U math (Data Management, Advanced Functions or Calculus and Vectors), and your best three other approved 4U or 4M courses.

Those other three have limits. You can use at most two natural sciences, at most two social sciences or humanities, and at most one fine or performing art. Some courses only count for one college. Business courses such as Financial Accounting Principles 4M only count for Edwards School of Business applicants.

Some programs need specific courses. Engineering needs Chemistry 4U, Physics 4U and Advanced Functions 4U, with at least 70% in each. Commerce needs Data Management 4U or Advanced Functions 4U. After you apply, upload a copy of your transcript to the portal. After you graduate, your school must mail your official Ontario Student Transcript. If it isn't in by August 1, your admission and enrolment may be affected.

The U of R's fall deadlines for Canadian citizens and permanent residents are an early deadline of March 15 and a final deadline of August 15. International applicants have a final deadline of August 15. Nursing, Social Work and a few others close earlier.

If you're in Grade 12, you can apply for early conditional admission for the coming fall from September 15 of your Grade 12 year. The U of R uses your Grade 11 marks and any Grade 12 courses you've finished. You still need to meet the final requirements when you graduate.

Requirements depend on the faculty. For Engineering, Ontario students need ENG4U, SCH4U, SPH4U and either MHF4U or MCV4U, with at least a 70% average. You need 90% to be admitted straight into your chosen engineering major. See our U of R engineering and U of R nursing pages for more.

USask charges per class. In 2026-27, a 3-credit-unit Arts class costs $798.60 for Canadian students and $3,865.20 for international students. A Science or Health Science class costs $847.20 for Canadians and $4,100.40 for international students. USask's page shows one Canadian rate with no separate out-of-province rate.

The U of R estimates $7,648.10 to $7,854.60 in tuition and fees for two terms for domestic undergraduates in 2026-27. For international students, it estimates $32,500 in tuition and fees for 10 classes, about $47,000 a year once you add books, housing and food.

If you're coming from the Caribbean on a study permit, budget with the international numbers. Our international students guide and guide for international families cover study permits and planning.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is the province's main publicly funded technical and skills training school. It has campuses in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw.

Most of its programs use First Qualified, First Admitted. Applications open September 1 each year, and seats go to applicants in the order they become fully qualified. High school students are encouraged to apply early and qualify conditionally. Competitive programs work differently: applications open October 1, the domestic deadline is February 15, and decisions usually come in early April.

See our Saskatchewan Polytechnic overview and the full college directory.

Saskatchewan Student Aid is for Saskatchewan residents. That usually means you lived in the province for at least 12 months in a row before your studies start, not counting time as a full-time post-secondary student. If you're from Ontario, you'd normally apply in your home province. Our OSAP guide explains that route.

The Graduate Retention Program is a tax rebate for graduates who live and file income tax in Saskatchewan. The maximum is $24,000 for students who graduated on or after October 1, 2024. You have seven years from graduation to apply. It's worth knowing about if you might stay in Saskatchewan after your degree.

Find awards on our Saskatchewan scholarships page.

Each university charges its own application fee. USask's is at least $120 for most programs, and First Nations University's is a one-time $100. Choosing a federated college doesn't add a second application.

The date that matters most at USask is December 1, because that's the cutoff for entrance scholarship consideration. At the U of R, the early deadline is March 15. If your child is comparing Saskatchewan with schools at home, see our Ontario universities list and our guide for parents.