Incoming Student Checklist

Application Information

General application information for graduate school at UCalgary can be found here
There is Biology department specific information for MSc and PhD
If you are an Indigenous student, there are some specific funding sources you may be eligible for - more info here
International students apply in the same way as domestic students but once approved, you will need to apply for a study permit
- For information on applying for immigration after you have received your admission offer, please contact issimmigration@ucalgary.ca

Application requirements can be found on the home page, with more detailed information here and Biology specific info here

Fall Semester (Sep 1)

June 1: Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)
May 1: International students (students with international transcripts)

Winter Semester (Jan 1)

Oct 1: Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)
Sep 1: International (students with international transcripts)

Spring/Summer Semester (May 1)

March 1: Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)
Jan 1: International (students with international transcripts)

Deadlines for the current calendar year can be found here, make sure you enroll before then!
Course drop deadlines also change year to year, check the academic calendar for the last date where you can drop without a financial penalty
- For example, 2026-2027

Registration in BIOL 601.05 (fall) & BIOL 601.06 (winter) are mandatory for MSc and PhD Ecology students (other course codes will apply to different majors)
- BIOL601 is a seminar course (non-graded & just for credit) & it must be taken 4 times in the first 2 years of your degree (each semester for 2 years)
  - In your first year, your presentation will usually fall in the second half (winter) & in your second year, your presentation will be in the first half (fall)
  - If you started in the winter semester your first presentation would be in the fall of the next academic year
For an MSc/PhD you will require 2 additional classes (6 credits) to meet the requirements for graduation
- Half of all coursework (1 class) has to be at the graduate / 600 level, the other half (1 course) can be an undergraduate level course (level 500) if subject is appropriate and approval from the graduate program is given
- A list of past graduate courses can be found here but course offerings change every year so talk to labmates/PI for a more relevant list of courses
- Courses can be taken from outside your department, with permission from the graduate program It is best to talk to your supervisor to discuss the best course options for your program

Department Head: David Hansen (dhansen@ucalgary.ca)
- Contact for escalated issues, including unresolved faculty conflicts or administrative appeals
Graduate Program Director: Paul Galpern (paul.galpern@ucalgary.ca)
- Contact for program-specific needs like course requirements, supervisory or committee issues, funding concerns; program interruptions & leaves; policy exceptions (course substitution, program transfer, or exceptional changes to degree requirements)

Tuition fees for all thesis-based graduate programs can be found here
Once a registered student, make sure you log in to your student portal (dashboard > student > my financials) to check if you have an amount owing
- Tuition fee calendar: https://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/finances/pay-your-fees
- They do NOT send reminders to pay! If you are late on your tuition payment, you can accrue interest (details)
You can apply for payment plans if you are not able to pay for your entire tuition at once
You are required to pay tuition 4x per year: fall, winter, spring, summer
Your tuition includes other services which are active year-round: bus pass gym membership insurance

As a graduate student you are covered under the graduate health & dental insurance plan
You may choose to opt out of the provided graduate health & dental insurance if you are covered by another insurance company (i.e. your parents coverage, etc.)
- Opt out dates are usually mid-month of the first month you register but can be found here
Login here to see your benefits and/or to submit a claim
You can add your spouse and children as dependents on your insurance policy, it must be done every year
- There are associated fees with adding dependents
- Add dependents by going to studentbenefits.ca, clicking on “UCGSA” and “Add Dependants”, and completing the form in full. Once approved, the fee will be applied to your student account. The deadline depends on the date your course begins.
NOTE: a Canadian health card is required to be eligible for the GSA Health & Dental Plan
- International students need to purchase private insurance before arriving for their travels/first few weeks in Canada. More details here
- Once in Alberta, international students may be eligible for an Alberta health card if you are staying for more than 1 year. More details and application here
- If you are an international student who does not have access to a Canadian health card (e.g., you are staying less than 1 year), you are expected to obtain private medical insurance. Visit this site for more info on health insurance

Grocery stores
- Save on Foods (University District): Slightly more expensive but you get a 10% student discount with your UCID and they have a points/saving card you can get for free
- Freshco: In Brentwood, just over the bridge at the NE side of campus
  - Lower general prices and good sales
- H&W produce: in the north-east, offers very cheap produce!
Malls
- Market Mall: Right near the university & has most things you might need
- Cross Iron Mills: Need a car to drive there but its a bigger mall with some good sales (it’s an outlet)
Other stores
- Dollarama: In Brentwood near the freshco
- Ikea: Heritage (it’s a bit far and not very accessible by transit)
- Staples: good for quick-printing and school supplies
Discounts (a lot of stores in the University District offer discounts to students)
- Cobs Bread, Save on Foods & barBurrito