How to Apply to Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan: B.Sc. in Arts and Science Open to High School Applicants, with Three-year, Four-year, Honours and Double Honours Options, and Admission and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Chemistry is taught in the College of Arts and Science and leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). Below is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, for domestic students (Canadian citizens and permanent residents), international students (including those from China) and transfer students.

1. Degrees and streams

• Chemistry B.Sc.: the program page describes a “three or four year degree” that you can enter directly from high school, full or part time, with the option to begin off-campus. It lists four degree types: Four-year, Three-year, Honours and Double Honours, and advises talking to an Arts and Science academic advisor after you start to decide which. The catalogue says the four-year programs leading to the B.Sc. Honours or B.Sc. Four-year “meet requirements for professional qualification as a chemist and membership in the Canadian Society for Chemistry” (USask’s wording; this is not described as accreditation by an outside body, so check the catalogue for details).
• Areas: USask says that through course selection you can specialize in analytical, bioorganic, computational, inorganic, organic, organometallic, physical or theoretical chemistry. The pages read do not create separate degree titles for these.
• Related programs: Arts and Science also lists the Chemistry Foundations I and II certificates and a chemistry minor; biochemistry-focused study is the B.Sc. (Biomedical Science) offered jointly with the College of Medicine; Chemical Engineering is in the College of Engineering and is outside this guide, so see the university website. The pages read do not list separate medicinal-chemistry, materials-chemistry or chemical-biology chemistry degrees.
• Accreditation and work-integrated years: beyond the catalogue statement above, the pages read mention no ACS or similar accreditation, and no co-op or placement year; ask the college.

2. How admission works and when you choose the major

• Applying straight to chemistry: high school applicants are admitted directly to the College of Arts and Science with no common first year that later splits. The college page says students often choose their major after their first year, so you do not have to settle on it at admission. The pages read state no enrolment cap and no grade threshold for entering the chemistry major.
• Advising: the catalogue says students should consult a faculty advisor in the Department of Chemistry, normally during the annual advising period in March–April.
• Honours: consult advisors before registering for second year; applications for Honours are not considered until you have completed at least 60 credit units (usually two years) with a Cumulative Weighted Average of at least 70% overall and in chemistry. At least 66 of the 120 credit units for the Honours degree must be senior level.
• Residency in the major: the catalogue says at least two-thirds of the major requirements (rounded up to a multiple of 3 credit units) must be completed at USask.
• Sample first year (program page): fall — CHEM 112 General Chemistry I, MATH 110 Calculus I, ENG 113, PHYS 115 Physics and the Universe, INDG 107; winter — CHEM 115 General Chemistry II, CHEM 250 Introduction to Organic Chemistry, MATH 116 Calculus II, PHYS 117 or PHYS 125, HIST 155. The catalogue’s suggested Year 1 is CHEM 112, 115 and 250, MATH 110 and 116, PHYS 115, and PHYS 117 or PHYS 125 (PHYS 125 recommended); Year 2 lists BMSC 200 and CHEM 221, 231, 242 and 255. The catalogue is the official source for each year.
• Degree structure (catalogue, 120 credit units): the Four-year major requirement is 48 credit units — CHEM 112 and 115 (or CHEM 146), CHEM 221, 231, 242, 250 and 402.0, at least 6 credit units from CHEM 380, 482 and 483.6, at least 9 credit units from CHEM 255, 322, 332 and 344, and 15–18 more credit units from a list that includes 200- to 400-level CHEM courses; electives are 33 credit units. The Honours major requirement is 54 credit units — the above plus all of CHEM 255, 322, 332 and 344, at least 6 credit units from CHEM 380, 482 and 483.6, and 18–21 more credit units from the list; electives are 27 credit units. There are also college requirements (English writing, Indigenous learning, quantitative reasoning), a breadth requirement and cognate requirements.
• Research: the program page says that in the last two years you can do hands-on research projects under faculty supervision, and many students can do research at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron on campus; what CHEM 380, 482 and 483 consist of is not published on the pages read.

3. Prerequisites at a glance

• Arts and Science B.Sc. (including chemistry): Grade 12 standing or equivalent; Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 (admission with a math deficiency is allowed); a five-subject high school average of at least 70%; proof of English.
• The admission requirements page does not list high school chemistry or physics as prerequisites for the chemistry major; the first-year chemistry courses are CHEM 112, 115, MATH 110, PHYS 115 and so on. Prerequisites for these university courses (for example whether Chemistry 30 is required) are not published on the pages read; see the catalogue or ask the college.
• These are Saskatchewan course names. How other provinces’ courses map to them is not listed on the pages read; subject requirements for Chinese and international curricula (IB, AP, A-level and others) are likewise not published, the IB conversion is in the China section, and for the rest ask Admissions.

4. How to apply, documents and fees

• How: create an admissions account on USask’s application site and apply online. USask says it takes about 30 minutes and you can save and return later. You will need your name and contact details, educational history (including previous post-secondary study) and planned program; first-time and transfer applicants to most bachelor programs can list a first- and second-choice program. After submitting, log in regularly to check your status and the list of supplemental items.
• Application fee: the Chemistry program page says a non-refundable CAD 120 fee is assessed when you submit, paid by Visa or Mastercard; the “How to apply” page says most programs charge at least CAD 120 and to check the program page.
• Documents: the “How to apply” page lists transcripts (used to calculate the admission average and check prerequisites and Grade 12 standing) and proof of English proficiency where needed. Neither the Chemistry program page nor the Arts and Science admission requirements list an essay, reference letters or standardized-test scores; check with USask if you need to confirm. Documents are due by the “documents due” date shown with each application deadline.
• Transcripts: Saskatchewan high school students have the Ministry of Education share transcripts through MyCreds (choose “organization” and leave the expiry date blank). Out-of-province and international students upload their latest report card after applying, and the school, school board or governmental organization sends the final official transcript directly to USask. To start in the fall term, out-of-province Canadian students must finish all courses by June 30; for international students the end of the school year varies by country and curriculum. IB students upload predicted scores after applying and have the IB send final results; AP students have the College Board send results (institution code 0980).
• Agents: USask says you are not required to use an agent; if you do, check your application status and offer on the official application portal before making any payment or applying for a study permit.

5. How the admission average is calculated

• Direct-entry colleges, including Arts and Science, use a five-subject average: one English, one math and three other approved subjects (at most two natural sciences, at most two social sciences or humanities, at most one fine or performing art). Marks from international high schools are converted to the Canadian grading system.
• Timing: from September to February 1 the average uses Grade 11 marks; from February 2 to June 30 it uses marks up to the end of Grade 12 Term 1; after June 30 only Grade 12 subjects count. For conditional offers USask rechecks the condition against final Grade 12 marks. High school graduates are assessed on Grade 12 subjects only.
• Provincial examples (the “Calculating your average” page lists every province): in Alberta English is English Language Arts 30-1 (30-2 not accepted) and math can be Mathematics 30-1, 30-2 or 31, and for each course USask uses whichever of the diploma exam mark or in-class mark is better for the student; in BC English can be English Studies 12 and math can be Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12, and the page says the better of the in-class or diploma-exam mark is used for English 12; in Ontario English is English 4U and math can be Mathematics of Data Management 4U, Advanced Functions 4U or Calculus & Vectors 4U.
• The math prerequisite in the Arts and Science admission requirements is written with Saskatchewan course names (Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30). How other provinces’ and countries’ courses map to it is not published on the pages read for this guide, so ask USask Admissions (admissions@usask.ca).

6. Domestic students (Canadian citizens and permanent residents)

• Deadlines: for fall (September) 2027 the domestic application deadline is July 15, 2027 with documents due August 1. USask also says applying early gives access to early admission and scholarships, and some scholarship deadlines come before the application deadline. Other intakes (domestic): January 2027, December 1, 2026 (documents December 15); May 2027, April 1, 2027 (documents May 1); July 2027, May 1 (documents June 1); January 2028, December 1, 2027 (documents December 15).
• Saskatchewan versus out-of-province: the Arts and Science admission requirements do not distinguish Saskatchewan residents from other Canadians; the same average and math prerequisite apply. The differences are how transcripts are submitted (above) and the provincial course tables. The pages read do not describe any priority or guaranteed admission for Saskatchewan residents.
• Scholarships: high school students and graduates with fewer than 18 transferable credit units are considered automatically, based on admission average, for the USask Entrance Scholarships (600 a year, CAD 5,000 each) if the application, fee, transcript and other documents are in by December 1. The top Best and Brightest awards (for example the George and Marsha Ivany President’s First & Best Scholarship, CAD 40,000 paid over four years) also need a separate application in PAWS by December 15. Competitive entrance scholarships and bursaries need an admission application by February 15 and award applications in PAWS by March 1, and some awards ask for an activity list and reference letters. Canadian citizens and permanent residents completing the IB Diploma are considered automatically for a CAD 3,000 IB award (admission application by February 15).

7. International students

• Deadlines: for fall 2027 the international application deadline is May 1, 2027 with documents due June 1. Other intakes (international): January 2027, September 1, 2026 (documents October 1); May 2027, February 1, 2027 (documents March 1); July 2027, March 1 (documents April 1); January 2028, September 1, 2027 (documents October 1).
• English: if English is not your first language you may be asked for proof. Any one of these works: approved English-medium secondary study with the required years and Grade 12 English (at least 3 full-time years including Grades 10–12; or at least 2.5 years including Grades 11–12 with at least 70% in Grade 12 English; or at least 2 years including Grades 11–12 with at least 80%; students at overseas schools with a Canadian curriculum need at least 65% in Grade 12 English). The approved curricula listed are Canadian English-medium schools, overseas schools with a Canadian curriculum, US regionally accredited schools, the IB, India’s IGCSE and CBSE only, GCSE/GCE, NZQA, Australian curricula, CAPE, SQA, NQAI and WBQ; other curricula need another proof. Or a test: IELTS Academic 6.5 with 6 in each band; TOEFL iBT 4.5 with 4 in each section (the page uses the new score scale; older 0–120 scores from tests before January 21, 2026 stay acceptable for two years at 86 overall with 19 per component); Cambridge C1 Advanced 176; CAEL 70 with 60 per skill; Duolingo 120 with 100 per area (from January 1, 2026); PTE Academic 63 with 59 per skill. Qualifications such as AP English 4, IB English A or B Higher Level 5, GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-Level English grade B or GCE A/AS/AICE English grade B also count. USask states that all scores must come from one test date and not be combined, and that scores are valid for two years; if secondary standing was completed more than five years ago, extra proof may be required.
• Study permit and deposit: most international students need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from Saskatchewan for a study permit. USask states that since the 2024–25 cycle most international students, including undergraduates in Arts and Science, pay a non-refundable CAD 1,000 tuition deposit when accepting the offer (credited toward tuition; refundable only in limited cases); USask endorses you to the provincial government for a PAL only after you accept and pay.
• International awards: international students are considered for most awards on admission. With an admission application by February 15: the USask International Excellence Award (CAD 10,000, one award) and the IB Excellence Award (CAD 20,000, one award, for international students completing the IB Diploma). By May 1: awards by high-school province, namely Saskatchewan CAD 15,000 (four awards), Manitoba CAD 10,000, Alberta CAD 10,000 and British Columbia CAD 10,000, for applicants who will be temporary residents in their first year and awarded automatically on academic achievement; plus awards for Indigenous students from the USA (CAD 10,000, two awards, with documented verification of Indigenous membership).
• Work: USask says international students may be able to work in Canada while studying and after graduation, must follow regulations and might need a work permit; it has a page on this.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read for this guide do not say whether or how the Gaokao is used.
• Chinese transcripts and curriculum: USask says international marks are converted to the Canadian system; you upload your latest report card after applying and the school or education authority sends the final official transcript directly to USask. The “Requirements and deadlines” page has a lookup by country of high school (China is in the drop-down), but the China-specific average and prerequisite requirements are not published on the pages read for this guide; choose China on that page, or email admissions@usask.ca. Whether the Huikao records must be submitted is not published on the pages read.
• English: the list of approved English-medium secondary curricula does not include Chinese domestic curricula; applicants who did not follow a listed curriculum must give another proof (tests and qualifications in the International section above). The IB is on the list.
• IB: IB Diploma scores out of 45 (with bonus points) are converted to percentages, for example 45 = 99.9%, 36 = 93%, 30 = 87% and 24 = 79%; individual course scores of 7 = 100%, 6 = 93% and 5 = 87%. USask notes that some programs require a minimum score and that subjects and averages required vary by area of study.
• Interview and agencies: the pages read do not mention a separate interview for Chinese applicants, an accreditation body or a China country page.

9. Transfer students (from other universities and colleges)

• Which route applies: with 18 or more transferable credit units your admission average is calculated on your university record and you cannot be considered on high school marks; with fewer than 18 you apply as a high school applicant. For Arts and Science the average includes all attempted courses transferable to the college.
• Arts and Science transfer requirement: the 2027–28 admission requirements state a 60% average on all courses transferable to Arts and Science for applicants with 18 or more transferable credit units, plus Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 (admission with a math deficiency is allowed) and proof of English.
• Transfer credit: it is assessed during admission, and each institution you attended must send official transcripts directly to USask (transcripts emailed, delivered or mailed by the applicant are not official). Institutions in Canada are contacted if course outlines are needed; for institutions outside Canada you may receive general credit first, and if a deeper review is needed you provide institution-issued syllabi translated into English (weekly content, hours, assessments, credit units, textbooks, grading system). Transfer credit does not guarantee the credit counts toward your degree — the college decides, so talk to an advisor. Results can be viewed only after you accept the offer and submit final official transcripts.
• Transfer scholarships: transfer students who apply before May 1 are considered automatically if they transfer into a direct-entry program and completed at least 24 transferable credits in the preceding academic year (September–April): CAD 2,000 at an awards average of 85% or more, CAD 1,500 at 80%–84.9% and CAD 1,000 at 78%–79.9%; below 78% is not eligible. A CAD 2,500 award goes to the student with the highest average from selected institutions.
• Chemistry-related agreement: the transfer-credit page says graduates of the Chemical Technology Diploma at Saskatchewan Polytechnic receive 60 credit units of transfer credit on transfer into the four-year or Honours Chemistry programs in Arts and Science.

10. Costs and scholarships

• First-year estimate (2026–27 Canadian dollars, full course load, from the Chemistry program page): tuition CAD 8,449 for Canadian students and CAD 40,894 for international students; student fees CAD 1,331.66 for both (covering health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreation and more); books and supplies CAD 1,500 (USask suggests budgeting CAD 1,500–2,500 a year); the totals given are CAD 11,280.66 for Canadian students and CAD 43,725.66 for international students. Tuition varies with the type and number of courses you take.
• Housing and food are not in these estimates; USask has a housing page and a cost estimator. The pages read do not mention a differential tuition or extra fee specific to Chemistry.
• Scholarships: see the domestic, international and transfer sections above; USask says international students are considered for most awards on admission.
• Co-op: the Chemistry program page and the Arts and Science program page do not mention a co-op program; this is not published on the pages read, so ask the college.

11. Inconsistencies and what is not published

• China-specific averages and prerequisites, and how the Gaokao and Huikao are used: not published on the pages read. Use the “Requirements and deadlines” page for your country of high school or contact USask Admissions.
• Whether the chemistry major has an enrolment cap or entry grade threshold, prerequisites for the first-year university chemistry courses, accreditation by outside bodies such as the ACS, co-op, and any restriction on international students in research projects: not published on the pages read.
• The “How to apply” page says most programs charge at least CAD 120, while the Chemistry program page says CAD 120; rely on the program page and the application system.
• Confirm that any fee without a printed year applies to 2027 entry; degree requirements come from the current catalogue year and may change.

Checklist

Domestic students: Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30; five-subject average of at least 70%; apply by July 15, 2027 with documents by August 1 for fall; apply and submit documents by December 1 to be considered for entrance scholarships.

International students (including from China): high school transcript (upload now, final official transcript sent after graduation); proof of English (for example IELTS 6.5 with 6 per band, or TOEFL iBT 4.5 with 4 per section); apply by May 1, 2027 with documents by June 1; pay the CAD 1,000 deposit on accepting the offer so USask can endorse your provincial attestation letter; check the “Requirements and deadlines” page for the China-specific requirements.

Transfer students: 18 or more transferable credit units with at least a 60% average on transferable courses; official transcripts sent directly from every institution; apply before May 1 to be considered for transfer scholarships.

Sources: University of Saskatchewan, Chemistry program page, deadlines and costs; Catalogue: Chemistry; Catalogue: B.Sc. Four-year Chemistry; Catalogue: B.Sc. Honours Chemistry; How to apply; Requirements and deadlines; Calculating your average; English language proficiency; International students; IB students; Transfer credit; Scholarships; 2027–28 admission requirements; College of Arts and Science programs. Information is for September 2027 entry; tuition is the 2026–27 estimate and degree requirements come from the current catalogue year. Check the University of Saskatchewan website for the latest details.