Apply to the MSc in Sustainable Energy Development Program
Bring your expertise, expand your perspective, and be part of an interdisciplinary community shaping the future of energy. The MSc in Sustainable Energy Development welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, creating a dynamic learning environment that bridges multiple disciplines for a holistic approach to sustainability.
Have questions about your application? Contact us—we are here to help.
Admission Criteria at a Glance
We are looking for driven individuals from diverse backgrounds who are ready to take on the challenges of sustainable energy. To be considered for admission, you should have:
- A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a four-point grading system in the final two years of study. f you completed your degree outside Canada, check the grade equivalency guidelines for your country: Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania, Europe, North and Central America, and South America.
- Two years of progressive work experience after graduation is preferred.
- Internationally educated applicants (unless from an exempt country) must provide proof of English language proficiency with one of the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL: 86 (Internet-based) with no section less than 20, or 560 (paper-based).
- IELTS: 6.5 (Academic version) with no section less than 6.0.
If you are ready to take the next step, review the application details below and start preparing your submission!
Key Dates
All supporting documents must be received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications—including missing résumés, statements of intent, transcripts, reference letters, or English language proficiency test results—will not be considered.
Ready to Apply? Here’s What You Need to Know
Your application is the first step toward joining the program, and a complete submission is required for review. Detailed instructions for each component are outlined above—review them carefully to ensure everything meets the requirements. Once submitted, you can track your status through your Student Centre, which updates daily. Stay on top of your application and take the next step toward your future!
The online application system will open as noted in the Important Dates section above. You can access the Faculty of Graduate Studies' online application system using the link below. You will be prompted to create or have your eID ready to access the application.
Request an eID and Register for a UCID
To begin your application, you must secure an eID and UCID by following the Account Registration instructions.
- If you previously studied at the University of Calgary, you do not need to create a new UCID. The application system will allow you to retrieve your UCID if you have forgotten it.
- If you have a staff UCID, you are welcome to register for a student UCID.
Submit Your Online Application
- Create or resume your application through the application portal below.
- Complete the online application form, ensuring you:
- List your complete academic history, as outlined in the Transcripts section.
- Provide your referee’s information, as outlined in the Two Letters of Reference section.
A non-refundable application fee is required to process your application. The fee must be paid by the applicable deadline listed above in the Important Dates section.
- $125 – Canadian citizens and permanent residents
- $145 – International applicants
- $180 – Applicants seeking readmission after withdrawal
The application fee can be paid via credit card, online banking, or international fund transfer. Additional details on payment methods are available by following the below link.
As part of the application process, applicants must submit one set of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including those for transfer coursework and non-degree studies. Providing a complete academic history is the applicant’s responsibility. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, and submission deadlines will not be extended to accommodate missing documents.
Applications will be reviewed based on unofficial transcripts, which must be uploaded when submitting the online application. If an offer of admission is extended, official transcripts will be required at that time. Additional details on submission requirements are outlined below.
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Unofficial Transcripts
All transcripts uploaded by the applicant are considered unofficial transcripts.
- After submitting your online application form, you must upload scanned copies of transcripts for each post-secondary institution attended through your online Student Centre.
- If transcripts are in a language other than English, you must also upload an English translation completed by a Certified Translator.
Transcript files must be combined into one PDF per institution and must include:
- Both the front and back of each transcript page, as the reverse side often contains important grading information.
- Terms (academic periods)
- Institution grading scale
- Course weight (units/credits)
- Grades
- Degree certificates (international graduates)
Unacceptable formats: Screenshots, copied and pasted text, or unofficial grade summaries are not accepted. Uploaded transcripts must be clear, legible scans of official institutional documents.
Third-party evaluations, including WES assessments, are not accepted for admission purposes.
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Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit one set of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution in sealed, signed envelopes to the address noted below.
- If preferred, institutions may send transcripts electronically to gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca.
- If original documents are not in English:
- Submit original or certified true copies of transcripts and degree certificates in the original language.
- Provide an official English translation from the issuing university or a notarized word-for-word English translation of a duplicate copy.
Official transcripts should not be sent before submitting your online application, as they are tracked through the application system.
Where to Send Official Transcripts
Faculty of Graduate Studies
MacKimmie Tower, Second Floor
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2N 1N4
A complete application requires one academic and one professional reference (a direct supervisor and/or manager). If you have been absent from studies for five years or more, you may submit two professional references instead; however, this is only permitted under these circumstances.
Once you submit your online application, your referees will receive an email notification with instructions to submit their letters of support.
Important Notes:
- Referee email addresses must be professional addresses. References submitted from free email providers (e.g., Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail) will not be considered.
- Letters from friends, family, general colleagues, classmates, fellow church members, clergy, current or past SEDV students, or general reference letters are not acceptable and will neither be reviewed nor kept on file.
As part of the University of Calgary's admissions process, all applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Internationally educated applicants must achieve one of the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL: 86 (Internet-based) with no section less than 20, or 560 (paper-based).
- IELTS: 6.5 (Academic version) with no section less than 6.0.
Further details on this requirement and alternate testing options can be found here.
Submitting Proof of English Proficiency
Official test results must be sent directly from the issuing organization. Digital submissions are preferred, but physical copies may also be sent to the address below.
- IELTS: The University of Calgary institution code is 139719.
- TOEFL: The University of Calgary institution code is 0813. If required, you may select “any program not listed” as the program.
- Additional details on sharing digital results can be found via the respective test provider: IELTS | TOEFL | PTE | Duolingo.
Official results must be received by the applicable deadline noted above in the Important Dates section.
Where to Send Physical Copies
Faculty of Graduate Studies
MacKimmie Tower, Second Floor
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2N 1N4
The Statement of Intent provides insight into your motivations for applying to the program and should be specific to your goals and interests. A template and detailed expectations for this document can be found below. Please save your statement as a PDF and upload it to your application.
Your statement must answer the following four questions in your own words, as clearly and concisely as possible. Each response is limited to 250 words, with a total maximum length of 1,000 words. Only the first 250 words of each answer will be reviewed, and any additional sections beyond these questions will not be considered.
Your responses must be original and personally written. AI-generated content is not permitted and is often easily identifiable.
Required Questions
- Considering your career progress to date, how does an MSc in Sustainable Energy Development align with your future career goals?
- What strengths, ambitions, and experience will you bring to the program?
- A capstone project is a requirement of this program. The work must be interdisciplinary, reflecting a minimum of three areas of study, with energy and environment as the two anchors. In what new and innovative ways will your project contribute to current knowledge?
- Describe your ability to work in a team atmosphere and how this has contributed to your successes.
Your résumé should be a professionally formatted document outlining your employment history, skills, and education experience. Please save your résumé as a PDF and upload it to your application.
If you are unfamiliar with the format of a North American résumé, many samples are available online to guide you.
Your résumé must be submitted by the applicable deadline listed above. Late submissions will not be considered.
You can check the status of your application online through your Student Centre. This information is updated daily and is the most efficient way to track your application, as it reflects the same system used to manage the admissions process.