Indigenous pathways

Indigenous Admissions

UCalgary welcomes the rich diversity of Indigenous learners, their communities and traditions. To ensure learners' successful participation, we offer pathways for eligible Indigenous students.

Admission pathways as an Indigenous learner

If you self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) on your application, you will first be considered under our general admission process. You will be asked to submit documentation to verify your Indigenous identity if it is required to support admission under a pathway process. The following are dedicated admission pathways for Indigenous learners:

Indigenous Admission Process

If necessary, we will automatically review your application under the Indigenous Admission Process at a lower admission average.

Indigenous Admission Supplementary Process

If you cannot be admitted to your desired program through the Indigenous Admissions
Process, you can submit a personal statement along with faculty-specific supplemental
requirements to be considered for admission by a faculty-specific admission committee.

Bridging Programs

If you do not meet the course requirements for your desired program, bridging programs offer foundation courses that can be taken concurrently with first-year courses. 

Indigenous Student Access Program (ISAP)

If necessary, you will automatically be considered for our Indigenous Students Access Program. This one-year program provides an alternative admission route into your desired program. You'll take mandatory first-year classes and classes relevant to your target degree program.

Indigenous graduation celebration

Learn how to apply

Understanding the Indigenous Admissions Process pathway

The Indigenous Admissions Process was implemented by UCalgary to ensure equitable access for Indigenous learners. 

If you meet admission course requirements but are below the competitive admission average, you can be considered if you are within 10% (0.5 GPA for transfer students) of the annual admission average (averages are program dependent).

A minimum of a 70% admission average (2.0 GPA for transfer students) is required.

Please note: Students admitted under the Indigenous Admission Process will be required to verify their Indigenous identity prior to course registration.


Eligibility criteria 

If you self-identify as Indigenous on your initial application, you'll be asked to submit documentation to verify your Indigenous identity under the Indigenous admissions process pathway.

Recognized verification documents

UCalgary recognizes the following documentation for verifying Indigenous identity:

  • Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card), issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Older Status cards may still be used, but if the “valid to” date has passed, students are encouraged to order a new card.
  • Letter from a government-registered First Nations community verifying the student is a member of that First Nation.
  • Letter of support from a First Nations organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student's Indigenous Identity.
  • Band Members who do not have Status can provide a letter from their Band or First Nation on appropriate letterhead and signed by a Band Administrator.
  • Non-status individuals with a Status parent or grandparent, may provide a long-form birth certificate with supporting documents of Indigenous identity from a parent or grandparent.
  • Letter from a recognized First Nations community similar to that provided for a person who has Status.
  • Métis card issued by a member Nation of Métis National Council of Canada, including Métis Nation British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.
  • Letter or membership card from one of the member Nations of the Métis Settlements General Council including Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth Lake, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine.
  • Letter of support from a Métis organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student's Indigenous Identity.
  • Inuit Beneficiary cards issued through Nunavut Trust.
  • Letter from a government organization such as Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik, Makivik Corporation or Nunatsiavut in Labrador. 
  • Letter of support from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
  • Inuit beneficiary card.
  • Letter from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and/or one of its affiliated provincial organizations.
  • Letter of support from a Inuit organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student's Indigenous Identity.

If the above-recognized verified documentation is not available, you're encouraged to contact UCalgary's Indigenous Recruitment Advisor for support and advice regarding documentation. Connect with them here.

Indigenous art

Bridging Programs

Students who do not meet the course requirements can be considered for admission to a Bridging program. Students are admitted to a Bridging program within the faculty and progress directly to their program after completing foundation courses. Pathways are individualized for each student.

All applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement in the format of the student’s choice (oral, written, video, etc.) that outlines their educational goals and how their past education, cultural knowledge, life and work experiences will enable them to succeed in university studies.

Please note: Students must submit proof of Indigenous identity to be reviewed through the Indigenous Admissions Supplementary process, including for admission to Bridging programs.


Faculties with Bridging Programs:

Faculty of Arts

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
  • Two approved courses at the 30 or 20 level

Supplemental requirements:

  • BMus: online audition form, audition and successful completion of RCM Level 8 Theory or the departmental music theory diagnostic exam.
  • Dance: statement of interest and audition.
  • Visual Studies: portfolio.

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
  • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2
  • One approved courses at the 30 or 20 level

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
  • Two approved courses at the 30 or 20 level

*Admission to the BSc in Psychology is not eligible through the Indigenous Bridging Program.

Haskayne School of Business

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1, or English Language Arts 20-2
  • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2, Mathematics 20-1, or Mathematics 20-2
  • One of: Biology 30, Biology 20, Chemistry 30, Chemistry 20, Physics 30, Physics 20

Faculty of Science

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2
  • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2
  • One of Biology 30, Biology 20, Chemistry 30, Chemistry 20, Physics 30, Physics 20

*Admission to the BSc Honours (Neuroscience) and any Biological Sciences Honours program are not eligible through the Indigenous Bridging Program.

Schulich School of Engineering

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
  • Chemistry 30 or Chemistry 20;
  • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2, Mathematics 20-1 or Mathematics 20-2

School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

Required courses:

  • English Language Arts 30-1, English Language Arts 30-2, English Language Arts 20-1, or English Language Arts 20-2
  • Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2, Mathematics 20-1, or Mathematics 20-2
  • One of: Biology 30, Biology 20, Chemistry 30, Chemistry 20, Physics 30, Physics 20

Find out everything you’ll need to do when you receive your admission offer.

Alysha Akins

Getting support for Indigenous Admissions

Support for Indigenous admissions is available through our Indigenous Recruitment Team.

Alysha Akins

Student Recruitment Specialist, Indigenous

You can connect with our Indigenous Recruitment Team at 403.220.6912, by email, WhatsApp or book a private meeting