UCalgary to welcome more students on campus thanks to provincial investment

From new teachers in rural and remote communities, to scientists advancing Alberta’s current and future energy industry, the University of Calgary is growing to meet the province’s workforce priorities.

Thanks to a new provincial investment, UCalgary is expanding capacity for more students to enrol and learn in nine high-demand programs. 

The province has pledged $15 million under the third round of Alberta’s Targeted Enrolment Expansion (TEE) initiative, adding more than 1,600 new seats starting this fall and over the next several years.

“We thank the Government of Alberta for this timely investment to expand some of our most in-demand academic programs. This new funding will allow the University of Calgary to prepare even more highly educated graduates and help address some of Alberta’s most pressing labour market needs. Increasing capacity at UCalgary is essential for supporting Alberta’s strong economy and growing communities today and in the future,” says Dr. Ed McCauley, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary

This initiative allows the university to match the high-quality educational experience it offers with qualified students who graduate ready to work in some of Alberta’s most rapidly growing industries. 

New seats are open now in programs within Engineering, Energy Science, Education, Neuroscience, Psychology, Kinesiology and Biochemistry at the undergraduate level, and Educational Psychology and School Counselling at the graduate level.

"Our government is proud to support the expansion of more spaces at the University of Calgary in high-demand fields such as engineering, neuroscience, psychology, energy science, kinesiology and education," says Hon. Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education. "By creating more opportunities for students to train in the professions that Calgary and Alberta need most, we are helping build a stronger workforce, supporting innovation and strengthening our province's long-term economic competitiveness.”

Each degree was submitted by UCalgary and approved by the province for fulfilling a specific need in Alberta. 

The Bachelor of Education (BEd) Community-Based degree was created specifically in response to student pressure, and to address challenges in attracting and retaining teachers in rural and northern Alberta.

Other new seats at UCalgary reflect both student interest and industry needs. 

That includes the Bachelor of Kinesiology, a program strengthened by its strong reputation, hands‑on learning opportunities, and ties to emerging fields such as sport and health technology. 

Kinesiology graduates build careers across health care, wellness, sport, recreation, and tourism, with many continuing on to professional programs in physiotherapy, medicine, occupational therapy, and chiropractic studies. 

Through this targeted growth, UCalgary is directly tackling the need for graduates in all nine programs, offering more access to high-quality education and helping Alberta thrive as communities expand and key industries grow.

“University of Calgary continues to see record demand across our academic programs, particularly in these targeted areas. By expanding capacity, we can give more students access to a high-quality education in our province, thus helping to meet the needs for skilled graduates,” says Dr. Sandra Davidson, provost and vice-president (academic).

Another program slated for TEE expansion is UCalgary’s Bachelor of Science in Energy Science, launched in fall 2025 and already positioning the university as a leader in energy education in Canada. 

Developed in partnership with industry, the Energy Science BSc equips graduates with the skills needed to succeed in Alberta’s evolving energy landscape — from conventional oil and gas, nuclear, and hydropower, to emerging areas such as hydrogen, biofuels, wind, and solar.

The full list of programs benefitting from the province’s TEE support include:

• Bachelor of Education After‑Degree (Community Based)
• Bachelor of Kinesiology / Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
• Bachelor of Science  –  Biochemistry
• Bachelor of Science  –  Energy Science
• Bachelor of Science  –  Engineering
• Bachelor of Science  –  Neuroscience
• Bachelor of Science  –  Psychology
• Master of Education in Educational Psychology
• Master of Education in School Counselling

The third round of the TEE initiative sees Alberta investing more than $148 million over three years to expand high-demand degree, diploma and certificate programs across the province. 

This investment builds on nearly $313 million provided earlier through the first two rounds of the TEE, which will add more than 15,000 funded spaces overall.