St. Mary’s University

St. Mary’s University is one of Calgary’s smallest universities, and it wears that size as a strength. Its hilltop campus in the city’s south end has about 800 full-time students, classes that average around 25, and heritage buildings from the early 1900s, including a red wooden water tower that has become the university’s symbol.

This guide covers the 13 bachelor’s programmes St. Mary’s (StMU) offers to international students for 2027: a science degree in biology, arts degrees in English, history, psychology, general and liberal studies, and social justice and Catholic studies, plus a two year Bachelor of Education for students who already hold a degree. Because every one of them is a degree, all 13 lead to a post-graduation work permit of up to three years.

StMU is a Catholic university that receives Alberta government funding, and it suits students who want close contact with their professors in a big, affordable prairie city. It is not the right fit for anyone looking for an engineering, computing or business degree, none of which it offers.

What this guide covers

1. St. Mary’s University at a glance
2. Why every StMU degree leads to a PGWP
3. The 13 programmes for 2027
4. The Bachelor of Education after-degree
5. English and academic requirements
6. Fees and costs
7. Living in Calgary
8. Staying in Alberta after graduation
9. What other StMU pages get wrong
10. How to apply to St. Mary’s University
11. Is St. Mary’s University good for Indian students?
12. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. St. Mary’s University at a Glance

St. Mary’s became St. Mary’s University College in 2004 and took its current name in 2014. It offers eight Bachelor of Arts degrees and a Bachelor of Science across about 35 disciplines, plus teacher education, and added a Master of Education in 2026. Its sports teams, the Lightning, compete in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

2. Why Every StMU Degree Leads to a PGWP

StMU is on IRCC’s list of institutions with PGWP eligible programmes. Since November 2024, college diplomas and certificates must match a field of study list, but bachelor’s degrees are exempt. That means an StMU degree in English, history or psychology qualifies in the same way as biology.

A three or four year degree, or the two year Bachelor of Education, supports a work permit of up to three years. For degree graduates the PGWP language level is CLB 7.

3. The 13 Programmes for 2027

Three year or four year?

English, history and psychology each come as a three year concentration or a four year major, and psychology also has an Honours route. The three year degree is quicker and cheaper; the four year major adds senior courses and is the usual expectation for Canadian graduate programmes. Honours Psychology is not chosen at entry: you apply after third year with a 3.0 GPA on your last 30 credits and complete a thesis in fourth year.

Science

The BSc in Biology is StMU’s only science degree. It asks for Grade 12 English, Biology, Chemistry and Maths, and offers optional field school courses that travel for hands-on ecology work at extra cost.

Arts

General Studies gives a broad three year arts degree, while Liberal Studies builds a four year degree around a chosen concentration, some of which need particular Grade 12 subjects. Social Justice and Catholic Studies combines ethics, theology and community work, and suits students heading into non-profit, advocacy or faith-based work.

4. The Bachelor of Education After-Degree

The Bachelor of Education is a two year programme for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, with Elementary and Secondary routes. It combines education courses with field experience in Calgary area schools and prepares graduates for Alberta teacher certification.

It asks much more of your English than the arts degrees: IELTS 8.0 with no band below 7.0, or TOEFL iBT 98 with 27 in speaking. You also need a 2.5 GPA on recent study and specific literature courses in your first degree. It admits once a year, for September, and international applications close on 1 May.

5. English and Academic Requirements

The IELTS rule for the arts and science degrees is per band, so every section must be 6.0 or higher. Psychology also asks for Grade 12 Maths, and Biology asks for Biology, Chemistry and Maths.

6. Fees and Costs

StMU’s entrance scholarships are aimed at Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Alberta high school graduates, so international students should not count on one. Ask the awards office which in-course awards open up after your first year.

7. Living in Calgary

StMU’s fee pages list no on-campus residence, so plan to rent. Calgary rents have eased: in September 2026 a one bedroom averaged about CAD 1,618 a month and a two bedroom about CAD 1,965, and most students share. The U-Pass in your fees covers Calgary Transit buses and CTrain.

Calgary is one of Canada’s largest cities, with a large Punjabi community, no provincial sales tax, and more sunshine than most Canadian cities. Winters are cold but broken by warm chinook winds.

8. Staying in Alberta After Graduation

For 2026 the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program can nominate 6,603 people, and its largest stream, the Alberta Opportunity Stream, takes 3,562 of them for people already working in the province. Demand is high, with more than 36,900 expressions of interest waiting at the end of July 2026.

A three year PGWP gives an StMU graduate time to build Canadian work experience for Express Entry or the Alberta Opportunity Stream. Graduates of the Bachelor of Education who gain Alberta teacher certification are in a field with steady demand across the province.

9. What Other StMU Pages Get Wrong

10. How to Apply to St. Mary’s University

11. Is St. Mary’s University Good for Indian Students?

StMU suits you if

• Your goal is an arts, psychology or biology degree that still leads to a PGWP.
• You like small classes and knowing your professors by name.
• You hold IELTS 6.0 or more in every band.
• You are a graduate aiming to teach in Alberta and have very strong English.

StMU does not suit you if

• Your plans centre on business, computing or engineering.
• You need on-campus residence.
• You are relying on an entrance scholarship.
• Your only English result is a Duolingo score.

12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)