How to Apply as an International Student
Get information about admission requirements, important documents, English language proficiency and study permits so you can apply in advance.
When to apply
SAIT's programs in advanced technology are popular, and classes tend to fill up quickly. We recommend students apply well in advance. Applications will be accepted starting on the following dates:
| Term | Applications open | Applications close* |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2022 (May - August) |
June 14, 2021 | Jan. 24, 2022 |
| Fall 2022 (September - December) |
Oct. 6, 2021 | May 24, 2022 |
| Winter 2023 (January - April) |
March 31, 2022 | Sept. 27, 2022 |
| Spring 2023 (May - August) |
June 13, 2022 | Jan. 23, 2022 |
| Fall 2023 (September - December) |
Oct. 6, 2022 | May 23, 2022 |
*The closing dates are tentative and might be changed if IRCC Study Permit processing times change. The closing dates do not apply to English Language Foundations, Academic Upgrading or Open Studies.
The deadline to submit a valid study permit to the Office of the Registrar is one week prior to the program start date.
You may apply to more than one program but a separate application and fee are required for each when applying to programs in the Winter and Spring 2022 terms. Beginning in the Summer 2022 term you have the option to choose two programs on one application and pay one application fee.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure SAIT has updated contact information. Failure to respond to our communications may result in the application being cancelled.
Do you meet the admission requirements?
All full-time programs have specific admission requirements that you must meet to qualify for admission. Also, all applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency, including students educated in Canada.
Early admission
Some programs offer early admission to applicants who have achieved or will achieve, higher grades in specific admission requirements. The timeline and the course percentage(s) required for early admission are listed on the program's admission and selection page, if applicable.
Selection criteria
To determine program suitability, some programs may require supplementary documentation or additional information to be submitted after you apply — this could include a career investigation report, aptitude test, resumé, essay, interview, etc. Specific programs will also use academic ranking as part of the selection process.
If you do not meet the admission requirements
- Consider the Academic Upgrading program for all core academic subjects.
- See the English Language Foundations program if English is an additional language.
- Learn more about admission testing for admission to SAIT programs.
Application process
Step 1: Apply online
First, use the How to Apply Checklist to make sure you're ready to apply.
Choose a program and apply online using SAIT's self-service system. Each online application and document assessment fee is $150 CAD.
Step 2: Submit your educational documents
If you were educated outside of Canada, you will require an international document assessment to ensure you've met the admission requirements for your program. Scan your original high school and/or post-secondary documents in colour with certified English translations and submit them. Please do not send us original documents. For any questions or technical issues when submitting your documents to us please contact the Office of the Registrar.
We will require:
- Secondary and/or post-secondary transcripts, mark sheets, and examination results.
- Secondary diploma or graduation certificate, and/or post-secondary degree.
- Explanation of grading scale (often found on the back or the front page of transcripts).
- If your documents were not issued in English, you must provide certified translations and the original documents (in the original language). Refer to the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA) to find a certified translator.
- Your transcripts must show at least three years of consecutive education (secondary and/or post-secondary).
- If your name has changed, we will require validation of name change (marriage certificate, etc.).
Refer to our International Document Assessment section for more information about country-specific document requirements. Once all of the required educational documents have been submitted, the assessment will be completed within approximately six weeks. You can monitor your application status at mySAIT.ca.
SAIT also accepts external assessments from IQAS, WES, and others.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions. Find more information here.
Submit your documents for assessment
Step 3: Demonstrate English language proficiency
All applicants to SAIT must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. English language proficiency is a requirement for all SAIT programs. Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency in the following ways:
- Successful completion of English, at the required level, as outlined in the individual program descriptions, including a minimum of three years of education at an English-speaking Canadian school or at a recognized international English-speaking school.
- Successful completion of SAIT's English Language Foundations Level 5 or a recognized alternative.
- Successfully complete assessment testing in one of the following:
| Common English tests | Direct entry admission requirements |
|---|---|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | 80 Internet-Based Test (IBT), with 20 in each category |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 6.0 in each skill |
| Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) | 8.0 in all sections |
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) | 60 in the overall band |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Minimum 53 |
| Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) | A required score of 76 |
Tests are valid for admission purposes at SAIT for a one-year period from the date of issue.
If you do not meet the English language proficiency requirement, consider the English Language Foundations program.
Step 4: Check your application status online
Within a week of submitting your application online, you will receive an email acknowledging that SAIT has received your application. The email will include your SAIT ID number and instructions on how to log in to mySAIT.
Within six weeks, your application will be updated to one of the statuses below. When you submit updated documentation or progress through the competitive entry process, your application decision will be updated. Monitor your application status online on mySAIT.
'Missing documents' means we have not received the transcripts/documentation required to make a decision on your application. Review your application checklist to see the admission requirements needed for the program.
- Submit your transcripts and/or international document assessment.
- If you are currently in high school, upgrading, English Language Foundations, or planning to take an English exam such as IELTS or TOEFL, you need to complete and submit an anticipated final grades form. Your anticipated final grades are your best guess as to what grade you'll achieve in the course or exam. You may be granted a conditional offer or placed in a selection based on these grades. If you do not meet or exceed your anticipated final grades before the transcript deadline, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
If your transcripts and/or international document assessment aren't received within 30 days, your application decision will be changed to 'declined-missing requirements'. If you submit transcripts and/or documents within the program's application period, your application will be re-evaluated.
'In selection' means you have met the admission requirements and have now been placed in selection for the program. Selection may be based on a career investigation report, resumé and references, aptitude testing, academic ranking, and/or an interview.
- Review your program's admission information to ensure you're familiar with the selection deadlines and criteria.
- We recommend you add the 'sait.ca' domain to your safe sender's list or you risk missing email messages critical to your selection process.
- If your program has more than one step in the selection process, your application decision may be updated to 'In continued selection.'
- If you are not successful in the selection process or do not complete the selection criteria within the program's timeline, your application will be 'declined through selection.'
'Qualified waitlist' means you are qualified for admission to the program, but the program is currently full, so you have been placed on a waitlist. You will be offered admission to the program if a seat becomes available.
Seats can be offered until the program start date — be prepared by having your funding and living arrangements in place. Please keep in mind that international students must obtain a valid study permit before the beginning of classes. For this reason, we do not recommend that international students accept a late offer if there is insufficient time to obtain a study permit before the program's start date.
If your application decision is 'waitlist/documents Required,' you need to submit your final transcripts before the transcript deadline.
'Secondary waitlist' means your application, transcripts, or documents were received after the program selection deadline. You have been placed on a secondary waitlist.
Review the program's admission and selection dates and consider applying for the next intake.
Applicants on a waitlist can apply for another program or have their current application moved to a future intake within the same academic year. Submit an online support ticket to inquire.
'Declined - missing documents' means you have not met the minimum admission requirements for the program. If you submit additional transcripts and/or documents within the program's application period, your application will be re-evaluated.
- Ensure that we've received all of your transcripts/documents.
- If you are currently in high school, upgrading, English Language Foundations, or planning to take an English exam such as IELTS or TOEFL, you need to complete and submit an anticipated final grades form.
- Consider Academic Upgrading, admission testing, or our English Language Foundations program to meet the program's admission requirements.
'Offered seat' means you have been offered admission to a program. Congratulations!
- Contact the Office of the Registrar to pay the tuition deposit and confirm your seat.
- The tuition deposit must be paid within 30 days. You will lose your seat in the program if the tuition deposit is not received by the deadline stated in your offer letter.
- The tuition deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. The money will be applied to your account and will go towards your first-semester tuition payment. Applicable to applications for spring 2018 onward — SAIT will consider refunding the tuition deposit less a $250 administration fee under certain circumstances only.
- If you pay your tuition deposit and are offered a seat in another SAIT program, you can transfer the deposit if the program starts in the same academic term.
- If your application decision is 'offered seat/documents required,' your offer is conditional. You need to submit your final transcripts before the transcript deadline. If you do not achieve your anticipated final grades, your offer of admission may be rescinded.
'Confirmation paid' means we have received your tuition deposit and your seat in the program is now confirmed. At this time, international students are automatically sent a confirmation/acceptance letter and IRCC form to use for their study permit application.
If your application decision is 'confirmation paid/documents required,' your confirmation is conditional. You need to submit your final transcripts before the transcript deadline. If you do not achieve your anticipated final grades, your offer of admission may be rescinded.
If you have applied to the English Language Foundations program, please contact english.language@sait.ca to schedule a Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA) test at SAIT. The CLBA is a requirement for all students in English Language Foundations. Be sure to schedule the exam at least two weeks prior to the start of classes.
Step 5: Apply for a study permit
International students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada require a study permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to study in a program that is longer than six months.
Once you have received your SAIT confirmation/acceptance letter and accompanying documentation for IRCC, you can start the application process for your study permit.
Most students will also require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in order to enter the country. Please check the IRCC website to see if you require a TRV or eTA.
Step 6: Pay your tuition and fees
Approximately six weeks before your program begins, you will register for your classes. At this time, you'll see your tuition amount in your account summary on mySAIT under the myStudent tab.
Payment of these tuition fees confirms your attendance in your program. Tuition for the semester will be due on the first business day of the month before classes begin (see important dates).
Also, be sure to check out the Next Steps to help you prepare to begin your academic journey at SAIT.
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