- Admissions
- Programs
- Application process
- Tuition and fees
- Tuition deposit
- Immigration
- Student support services
- Settle in Saskatchewan
Admissions
Who is an international student?
An international student is a student living in Canada or abroad, that does not have
Canadian citizenship, a permanent resident card or refugee status in Canada, and may
need a study permit to study in Canada. Students studying for less than six months
do not need a study permit. For more information regarding international students,
please contact International Education.
Where is the International Education office?
The International Education department has two student advisors at each campus who
work with our international student population. Please contact International Education.
How can I find the list of educational agents associated with Sask Polytech in my country?
Please view the list of educational agents. It is your decision whether or not to use an educational agent.
Programs
Which programs admit international students?
You can find the list of programs that accept international students on the International Programs page.
Are there any programs with a January intake?
Yes. Please check the length and start date(s) section on the program webpage. Programs
that accept international students can be found on the International Programs page.
Does Sask Polytech offer any post-graduate certificates?
Yes. Programs that accept international students can be found on the International Programs page.
What are program bundles?
Program bundles are available exclusively to international applicants. These bundles
or program packages combine 1-year certificates to make for a two-year term of study.
This provides you, as a Sask Polytech international student, more options to obtain
a post-graduate work permit. This option allows you to secure your seat and receive
acceptance into both programs at the same time. The bundle option is available only
at the time of application.
Visit the Program Bundles page for more information.
Visit the Program Bundles page for more information.
Application process
How do I apply to a program as an international student?
Step-by-step instructions to apply to Sask Polytech can be found on the How to Apply page.
Be sure to read up on Learning in Saskatchewan items of interest in Sask Polytech and Saskatchewan.
Be sure to read up on Learning in Saskatchewan items of interest in Sask Polytech and Saskatchewan.
What are the English language requirements?
The majority of students use International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to meet their English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. Students can meet ELP in a number of ways. Ensure you are familiar with ELP before you apply.
What is the application deadline for international students?
For programs with a September intake, complete your application by May 1 to ensure
consideration for programs beginning in September. If you choose to apply after May
1, please remember that combined processing times (Saskatchewan Polytechnic and IRCC)
may not give you enough time to begin studies in the fall.
After May 1, international students will be unable to apply for several programs that have been filled with a waitlist. Applications for these programs will reopen in mid-October for the next September intake.
As many of our programs fill up quickly, please apply far in advance of our deadlines. We begin accepting applications in October for programs that start in September of the following year.
For those programs with January intakes, you should apply by October 1.
After May 1, international students will be unable to apply for several programs that have been filled with a waitlist. Applications for these programs will reopen in mid-October for the next September intake.
As many of our programs fill up quickly, please apply far in advance of our deadlines. We begin accepting applications in October for programs that start in September of the following year.
For those programs with January intakes, you should apply by October 1.
Do international students need to send original documents when applying?
No. Colour scanned copies (PDF format is preferred) are acceptable for the initial
application/assessment phase. If you are accepted you may be asked to provide the
originals for verification when you register for classes. If you have post-secondary
transcripts, you may also be asked to have originals sent to us directly from the
granting institution.
After you apply you can prepare by arranging for your granting institution to send the documents to:
Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, Idylwyld Dr.
Registration Services, International Admissions
Box 1520
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3R5
Visit How to Apply for more information.
After you apply you can prepare by arranging for your granting institution to send the documents to:
Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, Idylwyld Dr.
Registration Services, International Admissions
Box 1520
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3R5
Visit How to Apply for more information.
Do my transcripts have to be translated into English?
Yes, this is a requirement to have your transcripts assessed. Saskatchewan Polytechnic
can assess many qualifications but for transcripts or documents not in English or
documents that do not clearly state your achievement level, you must ensure that they
are translated and notarized. You will need to submit both the notarized copy and
the original.
How do I make corrections to my application?
If your application has not yet been assessed, contact us immediately to correct your
application.
Once your application is assessed and you receive a letter regarding your assessment you are required to complete a new application. Please apply now if needed.
If a deposit has been paid and you change your program by applying to a different program, you may be required to pay a switch fee for changes made within 60 days of the start date of the program (see the Tuition and Fee Procedure (pdf)). A separate application would be required. Standard application processes would be applied.
Switching programs is not available to students with bundled applications.
If a deposit has been paid and you change the campus you plan to attend (but not the program), you will be charged a $80 application fee against your deposit (see the Tuition and Fee Schedule (pdf)). This option might not be available to students with bundled applications if the similar bundle is not offered at the alternate campus. A separate application might be required. Please email these requests to international@saskpolytech.ca.
Once your application is assessed and you receive a letter regarding your assessment you are required to complete a new application. Please apply now if needed.
If a deposit has been paid and you change your program by applying to a different program, you may be required to pay a switch fee for changes made within 60 days of the start date of the program (see the Tuition and Fee Procedure (pdf)). A separate application would be required. Standard application processes would be applied.
Switching programs is not available to students with bundled applications.
If a deposit has been paid and you change the campus you plan to attend (but not the program), you will be charged a $80 application fee against your deposit (see the Tuition and Fee Schedule (pdf)). This option might not be available to students with bundled applications if the similar bundle is not offered at the alternate campus. A separate application might be required. Please email these requests to international@saskpolytech.ca.
How do I withdraw or defer or get refund of my application?
You can fill the appropriate form to withdraw or defer your application. Please refer to our tuition and fee FAQs for refund amounts.
What is withdrawing?
Withdrawing your application is a final admission decision that closes your application
status with Saskatchewan Polytechnic. No further letters of offer will be provided
on the application. You may reapply should you wish to attend the program in the future.
I am eligible for a refund on my deposit. How long will it take?
It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition,
Sask Polytech's third-party partner. See Withdrawals, Transfers and Refunds for more information on timelines and refunds.
If I withdraw, does it affect future applications to programs?
No, but if you plan on attending the program you have been accepted to in the future,
you may want to consider deferring to a future program start date, rather than withdrawing
and reapplying.
What is deferring?
Deferring is delaying your attendance to a future intake. Requesting a deferral will
provide you additional time to prepare for your studies.
Non-attendance does not automatically give you deferral status and the applicable fee will be applied.
Non-attendance does not automatically give you deferral status and the applicable fee will be applied.
How many times can I defer?
International students may defer their studies up to two times free of charge. Should
you choose to defer beyond this limit, your $10,000 deposit will be forfeited.
See Deferral, Waitlist and Withdrawal Forms for International Students for more information.
See Deferral, Waitlist and Withdrawal Forms for International Students for more information.
I had my visa refused and am reapplying immediately. Can I defer my current application if I have had a visa refusal?
If your study permit application has been refused, you must withdraw. The $10,000
deposit payment can only be refunded with a copy of your study permit refusal (less
the administrative fee). Your money will be refunded by the method from which it was
originally sent. There are no other methods to refund your money.
If you wish to reapply for a study permit, you must withdraw your current application, apply for the program of your choice, pay the application fee and be accepted to the program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Deposits are not held if you decide to reapply. To start the withdrawal process please see Withdrawal and Deferral Form for International Students.
If you wish to reapply for a study permit, you must withdraw your current application, apply for the program of your choice, pay the application fee and be accepted to the program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Deposits are not held if you decide to reapply. To start the withdrawal process please see Withdrawal and Deferral Form for International Students.
Can I change my program when I defer?
You are required to complete a new application through the standard application process.
Once we offer you a seat, you can withdraw your initial application. To start the
withdrawal process, please see Withdrawals, Transfers and Refunds.
How do waitlists work?
Many of our programs are in demand and have capacity limits. If a seat is not available
in the intake for which you apply, you will be placed on a waitlist. If a seat becomes
available, additional applicants are accepted with priority given to those on the
waitlist. At this point, you will receive an acceptance letter. This letter will provide
information about your learning experience at Saskatchewan Polytechnic including information
about the non-refundable deposit, which is applied against tuition and fees.
If you are interested in a future intake, applicants may request one free deferral or you may apply to the intake of interest.
If you are interested in a future intake, applicants may request one free deferral or you may apply to the intake of interest.
What do I do if my study permit is refused?
If you are refused a study permit, you may be eligible to receive a refund of the
$10,000 deposit and paid tuition, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form located on MySaskPolytech and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business
days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of
the program.
Applicants must ensure they have sufficient time to process admission and study permit documents before applying to a program as delays are not considered a refusal.
Applicants must ensure they have sufficient time to process admission and study permit documents before applying to a program as delays are not considered a refusal.
Tuition and fees
How much is the tuition?
Tuition at Sask Polytech varies from program to program and is subject to change every
year. International students’ tuition is generally higher than the domestic rate on
the program information page.
Visit our International Tuition and Fees page to calculate an estimate of the full cost of the program over all years. .
Visit our International Tuition and Fees page to calculate an estimate of the full cost of the program over all years. .
Why is the tuition cost different for domestic and international students?
The rates listed for domestic students are the tuition rates Canadian students pay.
Sask Polytech requires a Permanent Resident card in order to confirm Canadian residency
and reduce an international student’s tuition to the domestic rate. When this proof
is provided, the domestic tuition rate is effective for all subsequent terms in the
program.
How do I pay my tuition?
Students entering the first year of studies are required to pay the balance for full
year tuition and fees on or before the program start date and are not eligible to
pay installments.
Learn more about how to make a payment.
Learn more about how to make a payment.
Where can I get my payment receipt?
Receipts for payments made through PayMyTuition will be sent to your personal and
Sask Polytech email accounts and posted under myElectronicLetters in the mySaskPolytech
portal within 48 hours of Sask Polytech receiving the funds.
You can also track your payments though PayMyTuition and download a receipt once payment has been confirmed.
You can also track your payments though PayMyTuition and download a receipt once payment has been confirmed.
Tuition deposit
What is the non-refundable deposit?
Upon acceptance into a program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a non-refundable deposit
to a maximum of $10,000 is required to reserve the program seat. This deposit is required
within 30 days of receiving a letter of acceptance. The deposit is applied against
tuition and fees. See How to Pay for more information on paying your deposit.
Why do you charge a non-refundable deposit?
Our goal is to provide a quality learning experience to students committed to joining
the Saskatchewan Polytechnic community. Late withdrawals from programs do not allow
sufficient time to accept the next qualified applicant. Remitting a significant amount
of tuition and fees in advance as a non-refundable deposit demonstrates your commitment
to attend and helps Saskatchewan Polytechnic to ensure students are able to attend
in available program spaces.
I am only able to make partial payments toward the $10,000 deposit. Is that okay?
Saskatchewan Polytechnic prefers the deposit payment be made in full in one transaction.
If you need to pay your deposit in more than one transaction, the full deposit must
be paid within 30 days of receiving your letter of acceptance. If you have paid only
a partial deposit within 30 days, your program seat will be offered to the next qualified
applicant and the deposit you have paid will be returned due to partial payment. The
partial deposit will be returned within 4-6 weeks by the same method payment was made.
I have been accepted but am not sure what to do. What are my options?
If you have been accepted prior to the change in the non-refundable deposit, you have
three choices:
- Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid.
- Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Your updated letter of acceptance will request the updated deposit amount and you will be required to ensure sufficient payments are submitted. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
Can I get a refund on the non-refundable deposit if my application is to a single program?
*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.
I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.
I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.
- You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $10,000 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.
- You have three choices:
- Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid.
- Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
- Withdraw from the program. Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit.
- You can defer your application to a future intake if you are unable to attend on your start date. This must be done no later than the fifth day of the program by completing a deferral form.
- You must complete a withdrawal form located in mySaskPolytech. Any amount paid toward tuition and fees, less the non-refundable deposit, will be returned to you. It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner.
- If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.
Can I get a refund on the non-refundable deposit if my application is a bundled program?
*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.
The $10,000 non-refundable deposit you have paid is split $7,500/$2,500 between the two programs you have been accepted into. For students accepted into a bundled program, your year one tuition for your first program will have $7,500 of your non-refundable deposit applied to your tuition due, and your year two tuition will have $2,500 of your non-refundable deposit applied to the tuition due for your second program. The $2,500 non-refundable tuition deposit for the second program is applied against tuition owing for that program's semester(s) after July 1.
I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.
The $10,000 non-refundable deposit you have paid is split $7,500/$2,500 between the two programs you have been accepted into. For students accepted into a bundled program, your year one tuition for your first program will have $7,500 of your non-refundable deposit applied to your tuition due, and your year two tuition will have $2,500 of your non-refundable deposit applied to the tuition due for your second program. The $2,500 non-refundable tuition deposit for the second program is applied against tuition owing for that program's semester(s) after July 1.
I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.
- You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $10,000 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.
- You have three choices:
- Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid.
- Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
- Withdraw from the program. Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit.
- You can defer your application to a future intake if you are unable to attend on your start date. This must be done no later than the fifth day of the program by completing a deferral form.
- You must complete a withdrawal form located in mySaskPolytech for the program. The non-refundable deposit you have paid is split between the two programs into which you have been accepted—one program is allotted $7,500 and the other program is allotted $2,500. If you withdraw from one program only, a $2,500 non-refundable deposit fee will be charged.
- If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.
- You must complete two withdrawal forms—one for each program you have been accepted into. The $10,000 deposit paid to retain your seat is non-refundable and will not be returned to you. Anything paid over $10,000 will be returned.
- If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.
Can I get a refund on the non-refundable deposit if my application is to a Learn English course and an academic program?
*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.
I have been accepted but have refused a study permit.
I have been accepted but have refused a study permit.
- You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $10,000 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.
- You have three choices:
- Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid.
- Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
- Withdraw from the program. Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit.
- You must submit a deferral form no later than the seven days before the start of the Learn English class/course. This will automatically defer your academic program attendance to a future program start date as you are not eligible to begin your program without meeting the English language requirements. The $10,000 non-refundable deposit will be applied toward tuition and fees for a future program intake.
- Any payments made toward the cost of your Learn English course will be returned to you. It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner.
- If you do not submit a deferral form seven days before the start of the Learn English class/course or do not attend, you cannot defer your Learn English course to a future start date. You will be required to reapply before your program start date so that your remaining deposit is not forfeited. You will not receive a refund for the cost of the Learn English course.
- If you have successfully met the English proficiency requirement by an alternate method, you must submit a withdrawal form located in MySaskPolytech seven days before the Learn English course start date. Your original application will convert to a single program application. Any payment made for the Learn English course will be applied toward your program tuition and fees and is non-refundable.
- If you do not submit a deferral form seven days before the start of the Learn English class/course, you forfeit the payment made for the Learn English course and it will not be applied to your program tuition and fees. See the Tuition and Fee Procedure non-credit course section for more information.
- If you complete your Learn English course and want to withdraw from the program, you must submit a withdrawal form. The deposit remaining from your $10,000 deposit paid to reserve your seat is non-refundable and will not be returned to you.
- If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.
- You must complete two withdrawal forms—one for the course and one for the program program you have been accepted into. The $10,000 deposit paid to retain your seat is non-refundable and will not be returned to you.
- If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.
Can I get a refund on the non-refundable deposit if I am a current Sask Polytech student and are applying to another program?
*The following does not apply to BScN applicants.
I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.
I have been accepted but have been refused a study permit.
- You are eligible to receive a full refund on the $2,500 deposit, less an administration fee of $200. A withdrawal form and the study permit refusal must be dated within 10 business days of each other. You must withdraw no later than the fifth day of the start of the program.
- You have three choices:
- Retain your seat by paying the $10,000 deposit if you have received a letter of acceptance and not yet made payment OR retain your seat if the deposit was previously paid.
- Defer your program start date to a future intake if you have paid your deposit and are unable to attend on your start date. Your updated letter of acceptance will request the updated deposit amount and you will be required to ensure sufficient payments are submitted. Please note you are not reissued a receipt. Please retain your PayMyTuition receipt or the receipt previously provided as your proof of payment.
- Withdraw from the program Withdrawals will result in a refund less the new required non-refundable deposit. Study permit refusal terms will still apply. Withdrawing form the program results in a refund less the required non-refundable deposit
- I have been accepted but want to defer and start the program at a later date. You can defer your application to a future intake if you are unable to attend on your start date. This must be done no later than the fifth day of the program by completing a deferral form.
- You must complete a withdrawal form located in mySaskPolytech. Any amount paid toward tuition and fees, less the $2,500 non-refundable deposit, will be returned to you. It will take 4-6 weeks to process your refund, which will be issued through PayMyTuition, Sask Polytech's third-party partner.
- If you choose to withdraw, you will be required to reapply should you wish to attend in the future. If you wish to attend a future intake, you may want to consider deferring your program start date rather than withdrawing.
Immigration
Can I work while I am a student?
Yes, but there are conditions. Please review the IRCC website for details.
Can I work in Canada after I graduate?
Yes. For more information regarding the post-graduation work permit program please
visit the IRCC website.
Am I eligible to immigrate to Canada following my studies?
There are many ways to come to Saskatchewan either temporarily or permanently. Learn about
the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and other options for immigrating.
Do I need a co-op work permit?
You will need co-op work permit only if you are in the program that has co-op, practicum,
clinical, work placement/experience, industrial attachment.
For more information regarding the co-op work permit please visit the IRCC website.
For more information regarding the co-op work permit please visit the IRCC website.
How can I apply for my study permit extension?
For more information regarding the study permit extension please visit the IRCC website.
Can I get advice on immigration from an international student advisor (ISA)?
Yes, if you are current student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic you can meet with an ISA.
To connect with an ISA, please contact International Education.
Student support services
Can I get some help settling into life in Canada and studying at Sask Polytech?
Yes! As an international student, you can access the support services. See the list
of student services you can access.
Can I get health coverage in Saskatchewan and how much will it cost?
Yes! In Saskatchewan, health coverage is free with proof of a study permit. In addition, international students are eligible
for the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Student Association’s Health and Dental Plan that provides supplemental coverage that may not be included in your Saskatchewan
health coverage.
Does Saskatchewan Polytechnic offer financial aid packages and/or scholarships for international students?
International students are eligible for all achievement scholarships available during
their studies at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Currently, there are no entrance scholarships
available for internationals students. For information please visit Student Awards.
Does Saskatchewan Polytechnic have student housing to accommodate international students?
No. Please visit the housing registry for a list of accommodation options.
Canada Homestay Network is pleased to offer homestay to Saskatchewan Polytechnic students studying in Saskatoon. Live with a Canadian family while you complete your studies, learn about Canadian culture, and make lifelong friends. Upon acceptance at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, complete the online application.
Canada Homestay Network is pleased to offer homestay to Saskatchewan Polytechnic students studying in Saskatoon. Live with a Canadian family while you complete your studies, learn about Canadian culture, and make lifelong friends. Upon acceptance at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, complete the online application.
Does Saskatchewan Polytechnic have tutors in place if I require extra help?
Yes! In addition to tutors, we have a variety of services for students. Contact Learning Services for more information.
Settle in Saskatchewan
How much does it cost to live in Saskatchewan?
Please refer to the housing section under Life in Saskatchewan in our International Student Guide.
Contact us
Questions? Contact International Education.