University of Alberta (reviews)

My experience at the University of Alberta has been wholesome. There are facilities and services to accommodate every student. There are also many opportunities and privileges for its students. I genuinely love my experience so far, despite the workload and difficulty of the courses sometimes.

The campus is beautiful year-round, but especially stunning in spring and summer. It’s a thoughtful mix of historic and modern architecture that mirrors the academic experience itself. As a Master’s student, I came expecting education rooted in foundational concepts with real-world application relevant to today’s context. Now, at the end of my program, I feel ready to enter the industry with in-depth understanding of not just what we apply, backed by historical knowledge and practical skills.

– What Made the Difference
The most valuable aspect was in-class discussion. I’ve seen professors in the media department (my home department) consistently encourage students from first-year undergrads to Master’s candidates to engage actively in class, share perspectives, and develop understanding through dialogue and hands-on exercises rather than passive lecturing. While the weekly reading load can be substantial, engaging with material in your own way pays off: it shows in the thoughts you contribute in class, the essays you write, and ultimately in how deeply you internalize the concepts.

Resources & Support
Resource-wise, you’ll be well supported. The libraries offer extensive physical collections plus access to specialized online databases and restricted research materials. The Students’ Union organizes career fairs, provides mental health and counseling services, and offers subsidized local transit passes. The university is practically welcoming to international students, with various on-campus employment opportunities available throughout the year.

A Realistic Perspective
Edmonton’s job market can be challenging. It is a smaller pool than Toronto or Vancouver but don’t let that become an obstacle from choosing this university. I think the U of A occupies a sweet spot: it offers strong academics and solid support without the astronomical tuition and living costs of schools like UBC or U of T, and it won’t feel like a compromise. Here, you’ll build meaningful relationships and establish a foundation for the life ahead.

Overall, it is a great investment in your growth as a citizen of the globe but also rooted in local values and knowledge.

I studied Education at Campus Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta with a minor in inclusion and overall had a very positive experience. One of the biggest strengths of the program is the small class sizes, which create a collaborative and supportive learning environment. Professors are approachable, my favourite professors being Asma M’barek, Dalbir Sehmby, Dominic manuel and Randy Lyseng, to name a few. It is easier to participate in discussions and build connections with classmates when professors foster such productive and welcoming learning environments.

Another highlight was the accessibility of student services. Whether it was academic support, health care or general guidance, it felt like there were always resources available for students on Main Campus. Because Campus Saint-Jean is a smaller campus, the selection of specialized courses were sometimes more limited compared to the main University of Alberta campus. Lots of things make up for this though.

Edmonton is also a great student city. It’s affordable compared to many other Canadian cities and has a strong sense of community, especially within the French-speaking environment at Campus Saint-Jean.

I would recommend the program to students who value smaller learning environments, close relationships with professors, and being part of a tight-knit campus community.

Such a welcoming university! The University of Alberta is a welcoming and diverse school that provides so many opportunities for students in the form of student clubs, the ability to connect with professors, and career opportunities like career fairs! I would say that the University of Alberta could improve on grants that are currently going on and response times, since if you do not have enough student funding and you apply for a grant that just opened, you will have to wait for a grant response, which may take longer than expected.