Admission requirements for international students
Updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
In January 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a temporary two-year measure to stabilize the number of new study permits issued to international students in Canada.
Undergraduate international students applying for a study permit to study at designated learning institutions will now require a provincial attestation letter (PAL) to accompany their study permit application.
You do not require a PAL if you are one of the following:
- A master’s or doctoral degree student
- An in-Canada visiting or exchange student studying at a designated learning institution
- An in-Canada study permit or work permit holder (including a study permit holder applying for an extension)
- An in-Canada family member of a study permit or work permit holder
- A student who has applied for their study permit prior to 8:30 a.m. EST on Jan. 22, 2024
Students may receive only one PAL from the province of New Brunswick, so if you have received a PAL from another New Brunswick institution, you will not be eligible to receive a PAL for UNB.
If you are an international undergraduate student who has attained admission to UNB, follow the step-by-step instructions on obtaining a PAL and study permit.
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
UNB requires Ordinary levels, plus a minimum of 3 qualifying AS/Advanced level subjects with the following individual program requirements:
Arts and Leadership Studies Programs
- English Language, English First Language, English Literature (other literature-based language courses will be considered)
- 4 electives from group 1
- 1 elective from group 1, 2 or 3
- Overall average of C or higher in the subjects above required for most programs
- Overall average of B required for the Bachelor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies
Business programs
- English Language, English First Language, English Literature (other literature-based language courses will be considered)
- Mathematics (must be taken at AS/Adv. Level)*
- 2 electives from group 1
- 1 elective from group 1 or 2
- Overall average of B or higher in the subjects above
*Special admission with conditions may be considered if applicants only present Ordinary level Mathematics.
Engineering Programs
- English Language, English First Language, English Literature (other literature-based language courses will be considered)
- Mathematics (must be taken at AS/Adv. Level)
- Chemistry
- Physics
- 1 elective from group 1, 2 or 4
- Each subject passed with a minimum grade of C or above
- Overall average B or higher in the subjects above
Nursing & Health Programs
- English A: Language & Literature (other languages will be considered)
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL)
- Chemistry
- Biology
- 1 elective from group 1
- Each subject passed with a minimum grade of B
- Overall average of B or higher in the subjects above
Science programs
- English Language, English First Language, English Literature (other literature-based language courses will be considered)
- Mathematics (must be taken at AS/Adv. Level)
- Chemistry
- 1 of either Biology or Physics
- 1 elective from group 1 or 2 (*a group 4 elective may be used for entrance to Computer Science only)
- Overall average of B or higher in the subjects above
IGSE Additional notes
- Language courses designated “Second Language” will not be considered to meet core requirements (only elective requirements).
- University credit may be awarded for eligible subjects taken at Advanced level depending on degree program selected and final grades obtained. See advanced standing for more information.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to any program.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)
UNB requires a minimum of 3 subjects to be taken at higher level (HL) with the following program-specific requirements:
Arts and Leadership Programs
- English A: Language & Literature (other languages will be considered)
- 4 electives from group 1
- 1 elective from group 1, 2 or 3
- Overall average of 3 or higher required for most programs
- Overall average of 4 or higher required for the Bachelor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies
Business programs
- English A: Language & Literature (other languages will be considered)
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (HL)*
- 2 electives from group 1
- 1 elective from group 1 or 2
- Overall average of 4 or higher in the subjects above
*Special admission may be considered for students who have not completed the required math.
Engineering Programs
- English A: Language & Literature (other languages will be considered)
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
- Chemistry
- Physics
- 1 elective from group 1, 2 or 4
- Each subject passed with a minimum grade of 4 or above with an overall average 4 or higher
Nursing & Health Programs
- English A: Language & Literature (other languages will be considered)
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL)
- Chemistry
- Biology
- 1 elective from group 1
- Each subject passed with a minimum grade of 4 with an overall average of 4 or higher
Science programs
- English A: Language & Literature (other languages will be considered)
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
- Chemistry
- 1 of either Biology or Physics
- 1 elective from group 1 or 2 (*a group 4 elective may be used for entrance to Computer Science only)
- Overall average of 4 or higher in the subjects above
IGSE Additional notes
- Language acquisition courses designated “ab” or “B” are only considered as group 1 electives and will not satisfy the senior literature requirement.
- University credit may be awarded for eligible subjects taken at higher level (HL) depending on degree program selected and final grades obtained.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to any program.
Group electives
- Group 1: Literature, maths, sciences, languages and social studies
- Group 2: Business and cultural courses
- Group 3: Performing and fine arts courses
- Group 4: Technology courses (including design technology)
- Group 5: Health, physical education, and leadership studies
Transfer students
We welcome and encourage applications from students wishing to transfer from another post-secondary institution.
Applicants who have completed prior post-secondary studies outside of Canada or the United States of America are required to submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Evaluation as part of their admission package. Applicants should request the WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course report. If you have a prior WES report, you must add WES ICAP to your evaluation report.
In addition to meeting our regular admission requirements, transfer students seeking credit for earlier post-secondary work must submit a detailed overview of their program of study and official course outlines for each course they have completed. Transfer credits will be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with UNB faculty standards. Transfer applicants should apply early to ensure time for faculty to review course outlines.
Applicants must disclose all prior attendance at other post-secondary institutions in Canada or abroad, regardless of whether they are seeking transfer credit. Failure to disclose this information may result in a rejection of the student’s application or subsequent suspension from UNB.
Graduate students
See the School of Graduate Studies for admission requirements for graduate programs.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email us: international@unb.ca. We are here to help!
