How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Calgary: Direct Entry to the BA or BSc, and Requirements and Timeline for Canadian and Chinese High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is in Calgary, Alberta. Psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc). Like the University of Ottawa, UCalgary lets you apply directly to psychology, with no need to compete for the program after first year, but its admission averages are much higher than Ottawa’s. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UCalgary’s official information, for students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students and international students in Canada), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. Which program to apply to

• BA and BSc in Psychology: both share the same description and core courses (developmental psychology, history of psychological thought, psychology of brain and behaviour, social psychology, principles of psychology), with an emphasis on research, statistics and writing, and opportunities to work in research labs as a volunteer or for course credit. The main difference is in admission prerequisites: the BSc requires chemistry and biology because it includes BIOL 241.
• Admission average: UCalgary estimates the competitive admission average for both programs in the low 90s for BC and Alberta high school students. For Chinese students it gives no figure, saying only that averages are competitive and meeting requirements does not guarantee admission.
• Two program choices: your first choice is considered first; if you are not yet admissible, you are considered for your second. UCalgary suggests a second choice with a lower estimated average. If you receive a second-choice or alternate offer, you remain under consideration for your first choice, and you pay the admission deposit only once. Once enrolled, you can apply for a change of program each year from October 1 to February 1.
• Honours program: students aiming for graduate school in psychology or professional programs such as law or medicine can apply in third year for the honours program, with a thesis in the final year. For fall 2026 entry, applicants needed 72 completed credits; a GPA of at least 3.5 over the most recent 42 credits and over the most recent 21 credits of psychology; a cumulative psychology GPA of at least 3.3; a B+ average in PSYC 300 and 301; and a signed agreement from a faculty supervisor.
• Combined degree: the BA or BSc in Psychology can be combined with a Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation in five years.

2. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• BC high school students:
  • BA: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12; Pre-Calculus 12 or Foundations of Mathematics 12; and three approved courses, one of which may be an approved option (Psychology 12 is an approved option).
  • BSc: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12; Pre-Calculus 12; Chemistry 12; Anatomy and Physiology 12; and one approved course or option. UCalgary recommends Life Science 11 in Grade 11 to receive an offer earlier.
  • Note that even the BA requires Grade 12 math at UCalgary, since some psychology courses list Pre-Calculus 12 as a prerequisite.
• Two review processes:
  • Early admission uses four program-specific Grade 11 courses, with fewer offers at a higher average.
  • Standard admission uses five program-specific Grade 11 or 12 courses, at least one at Grade 12, and issues most offers. Applications are reviewed each time new grades arrive, and completed Grade 12 required courses replace the Grade 11 equivalents.
  • Admitted students must complete all Grade 12 requirements, maintain the admission average and graduate.
• How to apply: high school students from Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Yukon apply through ApplyAlberta. BC students need only a basic Alberta.ca account, should enter their Personal Education Number (PEN), and should share their transcripts to ApplyAlberta after applying. Students from other provinces apply directly through UCalgary.
• Application fee: CAD $125 with Canadian education only, or CAD $145 with any international education.

3. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• Documents: your senior middle school transcript; the Gaokao is not required. Upload grades as requested, and to finalize admission your school must mail a verified transcript directly to the Admissions Office.
• BA: English, mathematics, and three approved courses, one of which may be an approved option.
• BSc: English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and one approved course or option.
• Tip: Grade 12 mathematics can count as two distinct approved subjects (mathematics and calculus). Approved courses also include physics, economics, geography and history; psychology, philosophy, politics and computer studies can serve as approved options.
• Two review processes: for students in their final year, early admission may use final Grade 11 results in four program-specific courses; standard admission uses interim final-year grades in five program-specific courses.
• Application window: international students who need a study permit can apply from August 15, 2026 to April 1, 2027.

4. English requirements

• Test scores: IELTS Academic 6.5; TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests on or after January 21, 2026, or 86 for earlier tests, school code 0813; Duolingo 120. Your application is evaluated only after the requirement is met.
• Exemptions: three years at an accredited English-language high school (Canadian, American, British or CIS) or in an exempt country; or two years at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada. A 4 on AP English, a 5 in IB English A or a 6 in English B HL also qualifies, among others.
• If you are close: UCalgary’s English pathway, the Academic Communication Certificate (ACC), may lead to conditional admission; it takes 4 to 11 months and carries 6 units of transfer credit.
• Note: the English language requirement is separate from the Grade 12 English course required for admission; you must meet both.

5. Transfer students

• Who is a transfer student: applicants with 12 or more units of academic post-secondary coursework; with fewer, you apply as a high school applicant.
• GPA: calculated on your most recent coursework up to 30 units, excluding high school grades. UCalgary estimates the competitive GPA at 3.5–3.8 (on a 4-point scale). If your GPA does not meet the program’s waitlist GPA, your application is cancelled and later grades are not reviewed.
• Prerequisites: there are no required post-secondary courses, but you must have completed the high school prerequisites (BC requirements as above), which may also be met by transferable post-secondary courses.
• Transfer credit: granted automatically according to UCalgary’s Transfer Credit Search Tool; courses from accredited universities in Canada or the U.S. not in the tool automatically receive generic credit.
• Dates: apply by March 1, submit unofficial transcripts by March 15, complete required courses by April 30, and submit final official transcripts by June 1.
• Scholarships: transfer students may become eligible for awards once they begin studying at UCalgary.

6. Timeline for fall 2027 entry

• August 15, 2026: applications open for international students who need a study permit.
• October 1, 2026: applications open for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; entrance award applications open too, 24 to 48 hours after you apply for admission.
• November 1, 2026: residence applications open.
• December 1, 2026: deadline for High School Prestige Awards (including the International Entrance Scholarship), with documents due December 15.
• March 1, 2027: fall application deadline (including the fee), and the last day to change program choices.
• March 15, 2027: deadline for unofficial transcripts and supporting documents.
• April 1, 2027: application deadline for international students.
• May 1, 2027: accept offers dated April 1 or earlier; later offers must be accepted within 30 days. Also the deadline for high school applicants to apply for guaranteed residence.
• Complete all high school requirements by June 30, 2027 and submit final official transcripts by August 1.

7. Scholarships

• President’s Admission Scholarship: awarded automatically to students entering from high school with a final admission average of 95% or higher; CAD $5,000, non-renewable, open to any citizenship.
• Entrance awards application: one application in your Student Centre puts you in consideration for all competitive entrance awards. International students can apply for awards that do not require Canadian residency.
• UCalgary International Entrance Scholarship: CAD $20,000, renewable, for new students paying international fees, based on academic merit and achievements outside the classroom; apply through the High School Prestige Awards by December 1. Renewal requires a GPA of at least 2.6 over at least 24 units in the previous fall and winter terms.
• Costs: UCalgary’s Undergraduate Student Cost Estimator lets you estimate first-year costs by status and program.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply through ApplyAlberta by March 1, 2027, with two program choices (a second choice with a lower average)
• BC: the BA needs English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Foundations of Math 12, and three approved courses; the BSc needs English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12, Chemistry 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12 and one approved course
• Enter your PEN and share transcripts to ApplyAlberta; submit documents by March 15
• For scholarships, submit the Prestige Awards application by December 1

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by April 1, 2027 (from August 15, 2026); no Gaokao required
• For the BSc: English, mathematics, chemistry and biology; Grade 12 math can count as mathematics and calculus
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4.5 (86 for older tests) or Duolingo 120
• For the $20,000 International Entrance Scholarship, apply by December 1
• To finalize admission, have your school mail a verified transcript directly to UCalgary

Transfer students:

• A competitive GPA over your most recent 30 units (estimated 3.5–3.8), plus high school prerequisites
• Apply by March 1, finish required courses by April 30 and submit official transcripts by June 1

Sources: University of Calgary, Psychology (BA); Psychology (BSc); BA: BC high school requirements; BSc: BC high school requirements; China high school requirements; Transfer requirements; Dates and deadlines; How to apply; English language requirement; Program choices; Entrance awards; President’s Admission Scholarship; International Entrance Scholarship; High school prestige awards; Department of Psychology: Honours program. Information is for fall 2027 entry; admission averages are UCalgary’s estimates. Check UCalgary for the latest details.