Admission Basics

Grande Prairie and Fairview
780-539-2911
admissions@nwpolytech.ca

Application for Admission

When applying to our institution, there is an $80 non-refundable application fee for domestic students. For international students, the fee is $150. For the application process to proceed, all transcripts or forms must be received and any pre-program assessments or interviews completed as required by admissions.

Admission Requirements

General Admission

Admission requirements for programs are listed in the Entrance Requirements charts on the following pages and are described in greater detail at the beginning of each program description. If an applicant does not meet the admission requirements for their program of interest, they should contact the Admissions Office. 

Home schooled students considering applying to Northwestern Polytechnic should contact the Admissions Office.

English Language Proficiency

The language of instruction and communication at Northwestern Polytechnic is English. Regardless of the country of origin or citizenship status, if an applicant's native language is not English, they must demonstrate proficiency in the English language before they will be considered for admission to any credit course or credit program.  For more information, please see NWP.me/InternationalStudents  

University Transfer Admission

Admission requirements for university transfer programs include English 30-1 and four grade 12 subjects, as specified by the chosen program. Normally the program will require a minimum overall average of 60 per cent. If applicants have a mark less than 50 per cent on a high school course, that course will not be considered for admission.

Degree Admission

Having the minimum admission requirements for entry into Northwestern Polytechnic university transfer programs is no guarantee that applicants will be accepted at their chosen university or into a degree program offered on site. Admission to the universities may vary from program to program and university to university. Quota programs at the universities tend to have higher academic requirements for admission.

Universities have various admission requirements for high school graduates and for non-matriculated adult students. Carefully examine the admission requirements for the university and the program of choice.

Mature Student Admission

Admission requirements for adult students, 21 years of age or older on the first day of classes, to university transfer programs may include English 30-1 and up to three additional 30-level subjects, depending on the program to which applicants are seeking admission. A minimum grade of 50 percent is required in each course and applicants must have a minimum overall average of 60 percent. Placement assessments and a recommendation from an advisor in the Registrar's Office may be required. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Out-of-Province Student Admission

Admission requirements for out-of-province students include completion of high school and presentation of the equivalents of the Alberta Education high school subjects required for admission to the chosen program.

High School and Post-Secondary Transcripts

The application process cannot be completed until appropriate transcripts have been received.

Alberta high school and post-secondary students will normally have their transcripts requested on their behalf by the Northwestern Polytechnic Admissions Team.

If applicants are currently in Grade 12 outside of Alberta, they should arrange to have official high school transcripts sent, after June exams, from the Department of Education of their home province or their last high school. These official transcripts are to be sent directly to Admissions, Northwestern Polytechnic.

All transcripts submitted for admission purposes become the property of Northwestern Polytechnic and will not be released to, nor photocopied for applicants or anyone outside Northwestern Polytechnic.

Interviews and Testing

Admission will only be considered when pre-program testing or interviews have been completed as required for program admission.

Identification and Classification of Students

Mature students must be 21 years of age or older on the first day of classes, have been out of school for at least one full year, and do not have the regular admission requirements for their chosen program.

Audit students observe designated course activities and are normally exempt from course evaluations. Audit students require written approval of the instructor who specifies how much participation is required. Approval is subject to space, impact on other students, and such other factors as may be deemed important by Northwestern Polytechnic.

International students are not Canadian citizens nor Permanent Residents of Canada.

Special or Unspecified students are normally enrolled in a credit course load that departs from particular programs described in the calendar and are not working towards a specified certificate or diploma offered by Northwestern Polytechnic.  They may be taking a combination of upgrading courses along with specific program courses.

Visiting students take credit courses to be applied by advanced agreement to a degree or diploma program at another institution. A letter of permission is recommended.

Selection Criteria

Northwestern Polytechnic reserves the right to determine the criteria for selection in all of its programs and courses. General regulations notwithstanding, Northwestern Polytechnic, at its discretion, may refuse admission to any applicant.

Confidentiality

The personal information that applicants provide when they apply for admission to Northwestern Polytechnic will be collected under the authority of the Post-Secondary Learning Act and Statistics Act (Canada) and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation of the Government of Alberta. Information collected is used to maintain institutional records in processing enrolment, monitoring academic progress, providing tax receipts, distributing related follow-up information, conducting polytechnic research, distributing awards, assessing graduation, fundraising, and maintaining contact with alumni. 

Files are maintained on every student. They include correspondence, grades, applications, admission rulings, and official transcripts. Students can access their file upon request; their advisor and the Chairperson responsible for administering their program will be permitted to view data on their progress.

Outside agencies may see information in a student's file only with the student's written permission. Northwestern Polytechnic will not release information on progress, attendance, etc., to sponsoring agencies without a signed release from the student giving Northwestern Polytechnic explicit permission to do so. Personal information and academic records will not be released to parents, spouse, guardian, or any other person or agency, without the student's written approval.

Students may wish to review the polytechnic policy on Access to Confidential Student Records and Information. Public inquiries related to the collection, use, and disclosure of the personal information provided should be directed to the Registrar or to the Information and Privacy Coordinator.