Concordia University of Edmonton: Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

Concordia University of Edmonton, known as CUE, is a small university in Edmonton, Alberta, with roughly 2,300 students from more than 40 countries. It is a liberal-arts and professional university that offers programs in arts, science, management, education, information technology, environmental science, psychology, and public health, and it emphasises small classes. It is also among a handful of Alberta universities approved for U.S. Federal Student Aid, which matters to American students. This guide covers exactly what Concordia University of Edmonton international students need to know: the published 2026-27 fee components and why to get a written total, English requirements, scholarships, campus life, and Canada's study-permit and post-graduation work rules.

Quick facts snapshot

• Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Student body: about 2,300 from more than 40 countries
• Program areas: arts, science, management, education, IT, environmental science, psychology, and public health
• Base undergraduate tuition 2026-27: CAD 332 per credit
• International fee 2026-27: CAD 382 per credit, plus an international supplementary fee of CAD 2,658 per term for students taking 9 or more credits
• Other international charges: repatriation fee of CAD 57 per year and international insurance of CAD 284 per term
• English requirement: IELTS 6.5 generally, with 6.0 possible for some programs
• Scholarships: entrance and merit awards from about CAD 350 to CAD 3,000, with packages reported up to CAD 20,000 over four years

Rankings and reputation

CUE does not appear in the main QS or Times Higher Education world tables that I could find, and it is best judged on its teaching model and fit. Alberta's public and independent universities share provincial oversight, and CUE's small size means students get close contact with instructors. Applicants who need a highly ranked research university may prefer the larger University of Alberta in the same city, while those who want a smaller, teaching-focused campus may find CUE a better fit.

Academics and signature programs

CUE offers Bachelor's degrees in Arts, Science, Management, Education, and Information Technology, as well as programs in environmental science, psychology, and public health, alongside some graduate and certificate options. Its STEM and career-focused programs are marketed toward international students, and the education programs lead to Alberta teacher certification pathways, so check how any professional recognition applies to non-Canadians.

Admissions and international eligibility

CUE does not publish an acceptance rate. International applicants submit transcripts assessed against Alberta's high-school entry standards, plus English proficiency, and receive a letter of acceptance for the Canadian study permit.

English language requirements

• IELTS Academic minimum of 6.5 overall for most applicants
• One source indicates IELTS 6.0 or higher may be acceptable for certain programs
• Other recognised English tests may be accepted at published equivalents
• Confirm the exact requirement for your program before booking a test

Application checklist

A typical application includes certified transcripts, English test results, and passport details. Under current Canadian rules, many undergraduate applicants also need a provincial attestation letter before applying for a study permit, so ask CUE how it handles this.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

For 2026-27 CUE lists a base undergraduate rate of CAD 332 per credit and an international fee of CAD 382 per credit, a combined CAD 714 per credit, plus a per-term international supplementary fee of CAD 2,658 for students taking nine or more credits, a CAD 57 annual repatriation fee, and international insurance of CAD 284 per term. The page's own worked estimate for a full-time student comes to roughly CAD 16,000 to CAD 17,000 a year in tuition, fees, and insurance, but the per-credit and per-term components do not obviously add up to that figure, so ask CUE for a written first-year quote that shows how many credits it assumes. Residence and health and dental plan fees are extra.

Estimated living costs in Edmonton

• Edmonton is generally cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver for housing
• Study-permit applicants must show funds for tuition, travel, and living costs, and the required amount is updated periodically
• Winters are long and cold, so budget for winter clothing
• The city's light rail and buses serve the campus area
• International students can generally work a limited number of hours per week off campus during term under current rules

Scholarships

CUE lists merit-based, entrance, and program-specific awards for international students, with values from about CAD 350 to CAD 3,000 per award and packages reported at up to CAD 20,000 in tuition support over four years. Ask which awards are automatic, what grades keep them, and whether they can be combined.

Campus life and student support

CUE's compact campus in Edmonton offers residences, small classes, student clubs, and advising. Its size means quick access to instructors and services, though it has fewer facilities and societies than a large university. International support covers study-permit questions, orientation, and settling in.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and has strong energy, public-sector, health, and technology employers. Ask CUE how it supports co-op and internship placements and how it tracks graduate outcomes.

Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit

Graduates of eligible programs at designated institutions can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, whose length generally matches the program length up to three years. Rules have tightened, including language requirements and, for some programs, field-of-study conditions, and provinces cap the number of new study permits, so confirm the current rules with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and ask CUE whether your program qualifies.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

CUE charges international students a per-term insurance fee, which covers health cover during study. Budget for the study permit fee, flights, winter clothing, and a housing deposit, and arrange housing early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, registration, and adapting to Canadian classroom culture, which values participation and regular assignments. Students arriving in the autumn should be ready for the change to a cold winter.

A realistic four-year budget

If the page's estimate of about CAD 16,000 to CAD 17,000 a year holds, four years of tuition, fees, and insurance would cost roughly CAD 64,000 to CAD 68,000, before housing and living costs. Because the per-credit rates could imply more, use a written quote and add your own housing estimate.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the total first-year cost for my program in writing?
• Do I need a provincial attestation letter, and does CUE arrange it?
• Does my program qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
• Which scholarships are automatic, and how are they renewed?
• How many credits per term does the fee estimate assume?
• What housing and residence options are available?

Who CUE suits best

CUE suits students who want a small, teaching-focused Canadian university in Edmonton with lower living costs than the largest Canadian cities. It may suit less well students who want a large research university, a highly ranked global brand, or the widest range of programs.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and obtain the documents needed for your study permit.
5. Apply for your study permit and arrange insurance.
6. Book housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, and proof of funds, and start the study-permit process early because processing times vary. Keep written confirmation of fees and scholarships.

How Concordia compares with larger Edmonton options

Edmonton has several post-secondary options, and comparing them helps you decide whether CUE's small size suits you. Larger universities tend to offer more programs, more research opportunities, and more societies, while a small university offers closer contact with instructors and often a more personal support system. International students who value individual attention and who are adapting to a new country may benefit from a smaller environment, while those who want research experience or highly specialised programs may prefer a larger institution.

Check whether the program you want is actually offered, how large classes are in first and second year, and whether you can transfer credits to another university if your plans change. If you plan to move to graduate school, ask how graduates of your program have fared in admissions elsewhere, and whether small class sizes translate into strong reference letters and research opportunities.

Understanding per-credit billing

Canadian universities often bill by credit or course rather than a flat annual fee, so the total depends on how many courses you take. A typical full-time load is around 30 credits a year, spread over two terms, but the definition of a credit differs between institutions, so a per-credit number can look small or large depending on the unit. To avoid surprises, ask CUE to show, in a single table, the tuition, the international fees, the supplementary fee, insurance, and any student-union or course fees for your exact program and load, and check that the number matches the one used in your study-permit financial evidence.

• Ask whether the international supplementary fee changes if you take fewer than nine credits in a term
• Ask whether tuition rates are guaranteed for the length of the degree or can rise each year
• Ask what the total is for a normal full-time year, in Canadian dollars, including all mandatory fees
• Ask what refunds apply if your study permit is refused

Frequently asked questions