Quantum Computing: FAQs

The current admission cycle is for Fall 2024, with the following dates:

• November 1, 2023:  Application start
• March 26, 2024:  Deadline for International applicants
• May 1, 2024:  Deadline for Canadian/Permanent Residents

Please note that we do not presently offer admission for the Spring or Summer semesters.

If we are currently accepting applications, please follow the below steps:

• You can access the portal by clicking the “online application” link found under step 3 of “Start your application” (for Regular students) on the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Apply Page.
  • Note: you require an eID account to complete the application.
• Once in the Student Admissions for Graduate Studies portal, you can find our programs under
  • “Quantum Computing - Master's” or
  • “Quantum Computing - Diploma” or
  • “Quantum Computing - Certificate”.
• After you’ve submitted an application, you can upload your unofficial transcripts, prerequisite proof, and CV/resume through your Student Centre.
  • Please do not provide us with any application related documents via email unless explicitly requested by the program.

See the rest of our Frequently Asked Questions for more details.

The application's "To Do" list is automatically populated within the application portal, which can lead to concern over "To Do" lists items being outstanding, but that the program itself does not require.

The following items may populate but are not required by applicants until they have been offered admission:

• Official Transcripts (see our section on transcripts below for more information)
• Proof of Canadian citizenship
• Proof of Permanent Residency
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• References (if you choose not to submit them)

If we require additional material from you regarding your admissibility, you will be contacted at the email address supplied in your application.

While we appreciate the continued interest we receive from those not actively enrolled in our program, we are not able to accommodate requests to register in, audit, or otherwise attend our courses. The Quantum Computing program's QUAC 600-level courses are available exclusively to students who are actively enrolled in the Quantum Computing graduate program.

This restriction includes, but is not limited to: undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Calgary or any outside institution, Open Studies students, Visiting Students, alumni or staff. 

The program has designed an Assessment Tool to provide prospective students with a personalized assessment of how their own profile fits within the program's requirements. 

Please click here to complete your personalized assessment.

Admissions requirement are:

Four-years bachelor’s degree in science or engineering or equivalent from a recognized institution.

• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale or equivalent, calculated on the last 60 units (20 half-course equivalents) completed in your 4-year Bachelor’s degree (please note that the GPA from Graduate degrees is not included).
• Having at least ‘B’ grade in each of the pre-requisite courses in each of the following areas:
  • Linear Algebra
  • Computer Programming
• Demonstration of English Language Proficiency (ELP)  
  • Please note: If you hold a degree from an institution that instructs in English, the ELP requirement is waived.  
  • View English Language Proficiency requirements here in the University of Calgary calendar: G.A.1 Graduate Qualifications.  Also, for information on how to submit your scores please view information on "Submitting Official Proof of English Language Proficiency & other Test Scores" (found on the Graduate Science Centre website)

• Outside North America: find the grade equivalency and minimum GPA requirement for your country here.
• North American institutions: we are generally seeking a "B" average for a letter score, or 72% as a percentage. 

Please note:

• Do not attempt to convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale.
• If you possess any graduate-level degrees, e.g. Master/PhD etc. these are not included as part of your GPA calculation.
  • If they meet the requirements listed, courses from additional degrees may be used towards our prerequisite requirements (more information below).
• Transcripts frequently include an institution's grading scale, that is the one that the University of Calgary will use. If your institution's grading scale is not included on your transcripts, it is helpful to include the Grading Scale as part of the document you upload.

If you hold a Bachelor, Master, or PhD degree from an institution that instructs in English, the proof of English Language Proficiency required is waived, and we ask that no test results be provided.

If your previous post-secondary education was taught in a different language, proof of English Language Proficiency is required. 

View English Language Proficiency requirements here in the University of Calgary calendar: G.A.1 Graduate Qualifications.  Also, for information on how to submit your scores please view information on "Submitting Official Proof of English Language Proficiency & other Test Scores" (found on the Graduate Science Centre website).

Our program’s current tuition costs are listed here, on the Program Specific Fees page, under Faculty of Science. Students are also assessed General Fees. All costs are listed in CAD $.

Each academic year, graduate student fees could be subject to change per the Faculty of Graduate Studies guidelines and regulations. Please note that these totals are estimates and if there are discrepancies between the FAQ page and the University Calendar, please use the University Calendar for reference

Federal legislation stipulates that only certified consultants may offer advice about immigration issues. Students who have been accepted to the University of Calgary will have access to International Student Services (ISS) at the University of Calgary, who are certified in this area. See the following websites for more details:

• Study permits
• Post-Graduate Work Permits
• Work permits

Below are some of the funding options that you may be eligible for, please note some items listed are limited to Canadian/Permanent Residents, or have other eligibility requirements.

• Graduate Students’ Association Bursaries: Our students will be eligible for bursaries through the Graduate Students’ Association.
• Canada-Alberta Job Grant: A Certificate, Diploma or Master in Quantum Computing can work within the Canada-Alberta Job Grant model if the employer and employee meet the criteria as set out in the Canada-Alberta Job Grant Applicant Guide.
• Lifelong Learning Plan: Our Diploma and Master credentials are eligible for the Government of Canada’s Lifelong Learning Plan.
• Student Loans: Details on student loans are available here.
• University of Calgary scholarships: The Faculty of Graduate Studies maintains a scholarship database; eligibility is determined by the applicant. Please note that deadlines for Graduate Award Competition (GAC) scholarship applications vary by program. This is an external deadline (not one set by the program) and therefore no exceptions can be made to this deadline.
  • You can search for scholarships for “Quantum Computing” and include your citizenship, and registration status, a list will populate.
  • Please note that most scholarships listed here are exclusively available to Master students (not our Graduate Certificate or Diploma).
  • The Graduate Awards office advises that students in course-based programs such as ours are unlikely to receive funding through the these awards are primarily given to students in thesis-based programs -- only exceptional applicants should commit to the lengthy process of submitting a GAC application.
• Other scholarships: While the program itself does not offer scholarships/funding, you may find options not associated with our program (e.g. Alberta Student Aid offers some scholarships which apply to our program) but we do not have further details on such offerings.
• Payment Plan: Students are able to utilize the University’s Payment Plan option to pay their fees on a monthly basis as opposed to once per term (e.g. spreading the Fall term fees which are usually all due at the end of September to be monthly payments over the Fall term). You can find out more on the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Payment Plan website, and the Registrar Office’s.

Unofficial transcripts, the term for those transcripts uploaded through their Student Centre, by the student, will be used to evaluate an application for admission.

Until an offer of admission is provided, only unofficial transcripts (NOT official) are required for an application to be considered complete and ready for assessment.

• Please do not request to have your official transcripts sent until you are requested to do so as part of an unofficial offer of admission provided to you via email by the program.
• After you’ve submitted an application you can upload your unofficial transcripts, proof of prerequisite completion, and your CV/resume through your Student Centre. 

Transcripts frequently include an institution's grading scale, that is the one that the University of Calgary will use. If your institution's grading scale is not included on your transcripts, it is helpful to include the Grading Scale as part of the document you upload.

Please note: for any official transcripts where a degree was awarded, to be considered "complete" the transcripts need to state that the degree was awarded, or the degree itself also needs to be provided.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND PROOF OF DEGREE UNTIL AN OFFER OF ADMISSION HAS BEEN PROVIDED VIA EMAIL. 

Until an offer of admission is provided, only unofficial transcripts (NOT official) are required for an application to be considered complete and ready for assessment. 

"Official transcripts" are those received by the University of Calgary directly from the issuing institution. Please utilize the option of submitting your transcripts electronically if possible. Instructions for delivery methods are below.

VIA EMAIL from ISSUING INSTITUTION:

• Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution’s appropriate transcript distribution email address (e.g. Registrar Office, Transcript Office).
• Indian transcripts and degrees may be requested via The National Academy Depository (NAD).
• All emails must be sent to gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca.
• Please be aware that documents sent by students or faculty members cannot be accepted as “official”.
• If possible, please request to have your files sent electronically rather than through the post.

VIA EMAIL from PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS*:

• Important: This option is recommended only if one of the organizations listed is already in possession of your transcripts; we do not require an assessment.
• In light of the difficulties international students may encounter obtaining official transcripts, the Faculty of Graduate Studies will accept transcripts as official if they are sent directly from one of the following professional organizations*:
  • Alberta Education
  • Medical Council of Canada Archive
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• Emails must be sent to gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca.

VIA POST from ISSUING INSTITUTION:

• While the electronic method should always be utilized if possible, we understand that some institutions may not be able to offer this service.
• Official transcripts are to be sent in a sealed envelope directly to the program by the issuing institution.
• Mailing Address:

Faculty of Graduate Studies, ES 1010
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Canada

Please note: we do not accept transcripts through WES, or any other method/organization besides those listed above.