List of the different types of publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Alberta.
Publicly funded post-secondary institutions receive financial support from government and are accountable to Alberta taxpayers. Their programs and services are guided by legislation called the Post-secondary Learning Act.
This legislation requires publicly funded institutions to enter into an Investment Management Agreement with the Minister that should also contain the mandate for the institution.
Alberta’s publicly funded post-secondary institutions are organized into different institution types, based on the:
CARUs offer a range of academic and professional programs, and have a strong research focus.
Table 1. Comprehensive academic and research universities in Alberta
Institution name | Primary geographic service area | Mandate |
---|---|---|
Athabasca University | Provincewide | Athabasca University mandate |
University of Alberta | Provincewide | University of Alberta mandate |
University of Calgary | Provincewide | University of Calgary mandate |
University of Lethbridge | Provincewide | University of Lethbridge mandate |
CARU programs generally lead to undergraduate and graduate credentials. These institutions:
CARUs lead the province’s research and innovation agenda and can undertake all forms of research, including discovery.
CCC programs prepare students for work or further learning.
Table 2. Comprehensive community college institutions in Alberta
Institution name | Primary geographic service area | Mandate |
---|---|---|
Bow Valley College | Calgary and region | Bow Valley College mandate |
Keyano College | Northeastern Alberta | Keyano College mandate |
Lakeland College | East Central Alberta | Lakeland College mandate |
Lethbridge College | Southwestern Alberta | Lethbidge College Mandate |
Medicine Hat College | Southeastern Alberta | Medicine Hat College mandate |
NorQuest College | Edmonton and region | NorQuest College mandate |
Northern Lakes College | North Central Alberta | Northern Lakes College mandate |
Olds College | Central Alberta | Olds College mandate |
Portage College | East Central Alberta | Portage College mandate |
These institutions provide:
These institutions may also provide:
CCCs do not provide graduate level programs.
CCCs can undertake research and scholarly activities that either:
IAIs primarily provide liberal arts, science and education programs.
IAIs operate under their own legislation but are partly governed by the Post-secondary Learning Act, and work towards the province’s 5 adult learning system principles. IAIs have different governance and accountability requirements than other post-secondary institutions; their Boards are not appointed by the Minister and they are not required to have a government-approved mandate as part of their Investment Management Agreements.
*MaKami College is not publicly funded.
These institutions offer a blend of publicly and privately approved programming, including:
IAIs may also provide graduate level programs in niche areas under particular conditions.
Polytechnics provide industry and career training, including apprenticeship and continuing education.
Table 3. Polytechnic institutions in Alberta
Institution name | Primary geographic service area | Mandate |
---|---|---|
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) | Northern Alberta | NAIT mandate |
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic) | Southern Alberta | SAIT mandate |
Northwestern Polytechnic | Northwestern Alberta | Northwestern Polytechnic mandate |
Red Deer Polytechnic | Central Alberta | Red Deer Polytechnic mandate |
These institutions:
UUs focus on undergraduate level education and applied research.
Table 4. Undergraduate universities in Alberta
Institution name | Primary geographic service area | Mandate |
---|---|---|
Alberta University of the Arts | Provincewide | Alberta University of the Arts mandate |
Grant MacEwan University | Northern Alberta | Grant MacEwan University mandate |
Mount Royal University | Southern Alberta | Mount Royal University mandate |
These institutions:
Banff Centre is a unique institution with a focus on fine arts and culture.
Table 5. Specialized arts and cultural institutions in Alberta
Institution name | Primary geographic service area | Mandate |
---|---|---|
Banff Centre | Throughout and beyond Alberta | Banff Centre mandate |