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Program choices and alternate offers

When you apply to UCalgary, you can pick two program choices on your application for admission.

Your first choice will be considered first. If you’re not yet admissible to your first choice, we’ll move on to consider you for your second choice.  

We suggest you pick your programs strategically. This’ll give you the best chance of gaining admission.

First choice

Pick your most desired program as your first choice. Be sure you read and understand the admission requirements. They include estimated competitive admission average and required courses.

If you’re admitted to your first choice, this is the only offer you will receive.

Second choice

Pick a program you’re interested in that has a lower estimated competitive admission average. If you receive an offer to your second-choice program, you will still continue to be considered for your first-choice program.

Do you need help selecting your program choices?

Selecting and customizing your degree

Learn more about choosing and customizing your degree.

Selecting and customizing your degree

Connect with the Recruitment and Admissions Team

The Recruitment and Admissions (RAD) Team is here to help.

Connect with our team

Attend an event

Attend a prospective student event like advising days or a faculty information night.

Learn more about tours and events

Application deadline

You can change your program choices until the application deadline.

See all dates and deadlines


Admitted to your second choice?

Congratulations! We look forward to welcoming you to the UCalgary community.

You can accept or decline your second-choice offer. Your first-choice program remains active whether or not you accept your second-choice program.

If you're admitted to your second choice, you'll continue to be considered for your first choice when we receive new grades, or if spaces become available.

You only need to pay the admission deposit once. If you receive an offer to your first-choice program later on, the admission deposit is automatically applied to your first choice acceptance.

Your second-choice offer is a great way to get started with UCalgary!


Admitted to an alternate program?

Congratulations! We look forward to welcoming you to the UCalgary community.

Alternate offers are granted to students who are academically strong and not yet admissible to the programs they have applied to.

You can accept or decline your alternate offer. Your first and second program choices remain active whether or not you accept your alternate offer. You'll continue to be considered for your program choices when we receive new grades, or if spaces become available.

You only need to pay the admission deposit once. If you receive an offer to your first or second choice program later on, the admission deposit is automatically applied to this acceptance.

Your alternate offer is also a great way to get started with UCalgary!


Frequently asked questions

Yes! After you get started with UCalgary you will have access to resources that will help you tailor your degree program to be as unique as you are. Every year from Oct. 1 to Feb. 1, you can apply for a change of program (COP) through your Student Centre to adjust your degree program. 

  • Yes! Register in courses for the program you’ve been admitted to.  
  • If you register for courses that apply toward your second choice and then you gain admission to your first choice, you’ll want to review your registration to make sure it’s still good.  
  • Use the first year degree guide or connect with your faculty advisors to ensure your courses can be applied toward your first-choice program.  
  • Once you pay the admission deposit, you don’t have to pay it again. If you’re admitted, pay the deposit and then receive an offer to another program choice, the deposit you already paid is automatically applied to the new offer when you accept it.
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