Other UCalgary COVID-19 FAQs
Get more information about how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the Fall 2020 term across the university.
Frequently Asked Questions for students in the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Fall-Winter 2020/21
Updated April 2021.
Additional information for international students, including details on travelling to Canada to study, is available from International Student Services.
Study permits and travel to Canada
I am an international student with a valid study permit OR a study permit approval. May I enter/return to Canada?
The Government of Canada recently announced an update to travel restriction exemptions. As of Oct. 20, 2020 UCalgary international students with a valid study permit or a study permit approval will be allowed to enter Canada. UCalgary's COVID-19 readiness plan has been approved by the provincial government.
This update applies to all international students, regardless of where they are travelling from or when their study permit was approved.
Students should not make any travel plans until they have met all requirements and received all necessary authorizations. Details about what is required are available on the Government of Canada travel exemptions website .
The Government of Canada also requires all students, and any family members accompanying them, arriving from an international location to present documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. This must be a PCR (COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to your departure.
The Government of Canada also requires all students, and any family members accompanying them, arriving from an international location to quarantine for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms. The University of Calgary has processes in place to support students while in quarantine. Incoming students must:
For information and resources to help you plan your quarantine in Canada, please visit our information page for international graduate students travelling to Canada.
Study permits and starting in of Fall 2020/Winter 2021 terms
Will I be eligible to begin online classes if I don't have my study permit by the start date for my classes?
Post Graduate Work Permits
I am an international graduate student in a PGWP-eligible program and my courses changed to remote delivery, AND/OR my status changed from full-time to part-time during the Winter, Spring or Summer 2020 terms due to COVID-19. Will I still be eligible to apply for a PGWP?
Tuition and fees for international students
I am an international student and cannot be on campus. How can I pay my tuition and fees or per-course fees?
Funding and scholarships for international students
I am a continuing international graduate student and cannot be on campus. Will I still receive funding and/or scholarships?
Yes. Funding and/or scholarships will be paid out if you are not on campus.
I am a new international graduate student starting my program remotely from my country of residence. Will I still receive funding and/or scholarships?
International students who are registered in a graduate program but are not in Canada due to COVID-19 travel restrictions are eligible to receive their guaranteed program funding and/or competitive scholarship funding while in their home country.
Information about your funding payments:
Funding will be paid directly to your tuition account.
Any credit accrued in the account will apply to future charges.
Once you are in Canada, have opened a Canadian bank account and notified the Faculty of Graduate Studies, payments will be made to your Canadian bank account.
Payment of this funding is conditional on you making academic progress while in your home country.
If you cannot proceed unless your funding comes to you directly, you may defer or decline admission. Please contact your program to discuss these options.
Tuition and fees for Fall & Winter 2020-21
Am I required to pay fees and tuition if I am not able to be on campus?
Fall 2020/Winter 2021
I am uncomfortable being on campus, or am unable to travel to Calgary to start my program. Can I defer my program start date?
Remote program delivery
What will my upcoming classes/academic program look like, and how can I complete lab/field components of my program?
Remote course delivery
Will remote courses be offered on the same schedule as in-person courses?
Will courses be delivered live or are they recorded sessions?
Supports for remote learning
What overall supports are available to help grad students navigate remote learning?
Completed Requirements/Fail (CR/F) grades
Is it possible to choose between CR/Fail or a letter grade for courses that are taught remotely?
CR grades are not included in GPA calculations; however, failing grades (C+ and below) will remain unchanged and will be used in GPA calculations. You must request the CR grade by January 15, 2021. Details will be posted here.
Working from home
Keep these practices in mind:
Returning to research/creative spaces
I would like to return to or initiate research or creative spaces on campus, in the field or in the community. What should I do?
In person exams (Field of Study, thesis defence)
Can I undergo exams in person during the pandemic?
Remote exam support
I don't have access to a stable or reliable internet connection. how will the university support me taking my exam remotely?
Is there technical support for Zoom meeting arrangements?
Library resources for Field of Study exams
Can I have access to library resources that I need to prepare for my examinations?
Rights and responsibilities of academically employed graduate students
What are the rights and responsibilities of academically employed students?
In-person appointments
If my Fall or Winter GAT appointment requires me to participate in person, am I able to refuse the appointment if I am not comfortable due to COVID-19? Will I be offered another appointment instead?
The University will take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances to ensure the health and safety of faculty and staff who return to work on campus. If you have health and/or safety concerns, please speak to your course instructor, researcher, graduate program director or department head or equivalent to review the concerns and determine whether any accommodations are required.
International students and academic employment
If I am a new international student starting my program at UCalgary, can I apply for graduate assistantship appointments?
UCalgary can only offer employment appointments to international students who have obtained a social insurance number as well as a work and/or study permit.
If I am an existing international student with an active SIN and study and/or work permit, can I continue working remotely in my graduate assistantship appointments in the next academic year?
Yes. Continuing international graduate students can work remotely in GAT/GANT/GAR appointments if they have an active SIN. Net pay will continue to be paid into students’ existing Canadian bank accounts.
Support for GATs
What support is available to support GATs in online, remote and face-to-face environments?
Additional GAT opportunities
Will additional GAT opportunities be available for online courses in Fall 2020/Winter 2021? How can students apply for these opportunities?
Work placements and internships
Is it still possible to pursue a work placement or internship during my graduate program?
Professional development resources
Are there any additional or alternate PD resources or workshops available to graduate students during the pandemic?
Work permits
What impact will changes to program delivery formats have on my Post-Graduation Work permit?
Office of the Registrar
Contact the Registrar's office for information about the university's emergency financial assistance program. To qualify, you must :
GSA bursaries
The Graduate Students' Association offers bursaries to help ease financial strain faced by GSA members. The bursary program is available in the Fall and Winter terms. Applications are only accepted within specific periods. Learn more on the GSA website.
Get more information about how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the Fall 2020 term across the university.
Includes information about course materials, learning technologies, face-to-face classes and more.
Includes information about services, resources, textbooks, medical notes and more.