International Student Portal
Important Notice
Alberta's post-secondary sector is continuing to explore the impact of recent changes announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For the latest NWP information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit our updates page.
Study in Alberta
Every year, Northwestern Polytechnic proudly welcomes students from all corners of the world. They bring a unique perspective to our campus and enrich our community with their diverse cultures and experiences.
At NWP, you will be part of a Wolfpack that cares. Be it on campus, in our classrooms and labs, or collocated in the heart of industry, you will benefit from unmatched support and a memorable educational experience.
We aim to make you feel welcome and supported during your time at NWP, so we have provided several resources and important information on this page to help you adjust and thrive.
Please be aware that the information on this page is subject to change. Although we do our best to update the information quickly, we encourage you to consult the Department of International Education for the most up-to-date information.
Important Information
Before you start on your journey to becoming a student at NWP, please take note of these important details.
- Documents will not be reviewed for admission until an application has been received.
- All documents provided must be in English or come with certified translations.
- You will be notified if an IQAS assessment is required.
- During busy times of the year (August - September and December - January) processing times may increase.
- A completed Release of Information Consent Form is needed if you would like us to communicate with a 3rd party about your application, admission, financial details, etc.
What Programs are Available to International Students?
Several programs, including Certificates and Diplomas are available to international students. Programs that are not available include Apprenticeship programs, ThinkBIG Service Technician and all University Transfer except Nursing.
Certificate and Diploma Programs
For admission to our programs, some prerequisites must be met by all students, including English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Here you will find details about our programs and the requirements to gain admission, as well as the most up-to-date information on post-graduate work permits. As a public institution, most of our Certificate and Diploma programs are currently eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permit applications if they are eight months or longer.
Certificates Diplomas Work PermitsSelection Criteria
We reserve the right to determine the criteria for selection in all of our programs and courses. General regulations notwithstanding, at our Administration's discretion admission may be refused to an applicant.
When Should I Apply?
Our school operates on a three-semester system: Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April) and Spring (May to August). Not all programs are available in every intake. Please visit 2024-25 program dates for available intakes.
If you are applying for a study permit, we recommend applying 4-6 months before the start of the semester. You can check the IRCC processing times for your country to determine if you have enough time to receive a study permit before the start of classes.
If you have a valid study permit, we recommend applying before July 30th for the Fall semester and by November 30th for the Winter semester. Applications received after these dates may not be processed in time for admission.
How do I Apply? How Long Will it Take?
Step 1
Complete an online application and pay the $150.00 CAD non-refundable application fee.
After your application has been processed you will receive instructions on what supporting documents to submit and how to submit them.
Step 2
After all the documents have been provided, if admissible, an offer of
admission will be sent to you via email.
Step 3
After you have accepted the offer and paid the tuition deposit, your Letter of Admission
will be issued. This letter can be used to apply for your study permit.
How Much Does it Cost? When and how do I pay?
Admission to a program does not guarantee you a seat in that program. Once you have been admitted, and have shown proof that you have been approved for a study permit, you will be given instructions on how to register in your courses. After you have registered for courses all remaining tuition and fees will be due by the ADD/DROP deadlines for each semester.
Registration for new students opens in May of each year for all semesters, so we strongly recommend that international students apply early, and register as soon as they are eligible to avoid being waitlisted in required classes. Waiting to register until the start of classes may result in students being waitlisted in required classes for their program, and there is no guarantee students will be accepted if the class is full.
What are the Housing Options?
Our campuses offer on-campus housing, and most students choose to live on-campus, so housing can fill up fast. We strongly recommend submitting an online application as soon as you have been admitted to a program.
Do I Need Health Care Coverage?
Yes, all students require health insurance while studying with us and you are responsible for obtaining personal health care coverage. International students must have basic health care coverage from either the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), health care from another province, or health insurance from a private provider.
Students moving permanently to Alberta from another country or students with a valid study permit may be eligible for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
More About AHCIPFull-time students in most of our credit programs may be automatically enrolled in, and be required to pay for, the Student Health and Dental Plan, which provides extended health and dental care coverage not covered under AHCIP. The plan can be opted out of if alternate coverage can be proven, and eligibility requirements are met.
Useful Information
Joining a community in new country can be overwhelming. Here are some useful links to help you learn more about our province and community.
Welcome toAlberta Our Fairview Campus City of Grande Prairie GP Community Groups GP Tourism Newcomers to GPContact Us
For more information about becoming an international student at NWP, please contact:
| International Education | |
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| Office: H205 Phone: 780-539-2775 Email: international@nwpolytech.ca Web: Visit Homepage | |