Competitive Admissions Challenge Students in Alberta’s STEM Programs

Students in Alberta are facing increasing challenges in gaining admission to highly sought-after STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs. This trend is exemplified by Asiya Iskander, a Grade 12 student at the STEM Innovation Academy, who has been wait-listed for biological sciences at the University of Calgary despite maintaining an impressive average of 93 percent. Iskander expressed her disappointment, stating, “It was definitely heartbreaking just because I did think that my portfolio was competitive enough.”

The demand for STEM programs in Alberta has surged in recent years, with many students vying for a limited number of spots. Jeff Crane, assistant principal at the STEM Innovation Academy, emphasized that while competition has always been a factor, the current landscape has changed significantly. “When competition gets in the way of good kids getting access to programs, that’s when there is an issue,” he remarked.

Over the past five to ten years, admission rates for STEM programs across Alberta have become increasingly competitive. The University of Calgary reported that the estimated competitive average for biological sciences now stands in the low 90s. This year, applications for fall 2025 increased by nine percent compared to the previous year, reflecting a growing population of university-aged students. To address this, the university has expanded enrollment in six high-demand faculties, including engineering and science, resulting in a 12.5 percent increase in total enrollment since 2021.

“Demand continues to outpace available capacity, impacting admission rates,” the university stated in a release. Similar trends are evident at the University of Alberta, where admission averages for engineering programs have fluctuated between the mid- to high-80s, while certain science programs require averages in the low 90s. The university noted that, over the past decade, undergraduate STEM admission rates have shifted from 53 percent in 2016 to 50 percent for fall 2025. During this period, first-year STEM capacity has grown by more than 15 percent to accommodate the nearly 52 percent rise in applications, reflecting a robust domestic interest in these fields.

Students and their families are feeling the pressure of this competitive environment. Wayne Bobrosky, co-founder of Upperhand High School & Post-Secondary Counselling, noted that many students are striving to maintain averages in the low 90s, which he described as a significant challenge. “Over the past six years, we’re seeing a lot more of a competitive space for post-secondary students. The academic averages since COVID have been exceedingly high and they’ve remained quite high,” Bobrosky explained.

In light of these challenges, the STEM Innovation Academy is advocating for increased funding for STEM programs in the province. Lisa Davis, the academy’s founder, expressed hope that the upcoming provincial budget will include substantial investments to create new spaces for post-secondary students. “We have this amazing group of students who have big dreams about what their future holds and they’re concerned that they’re not going to be able to get into the programs they need to,” she stated.

In response to the growing demand, Myles McDougall, Alberta’s minister of advanced education, announced that the government is investing more than $97 million to expand high-demand STEM programs. This funding will add 624 seats in computer and software engineering, 609 seats in engineering, and 2,874 seats in technology programs across the province as part of targeted enrolment expansion in the 2025 budget.

As of the 2024-25 academic year, approximately 65,000 students were enrolled in STEM programs in Alberta, with about 25,000 women and 40,000 men. The increasing participation highlights the growing interest and necessity for STEM education in shaping future careers, further underscoring the importance of addressing the challenges associated with admission rates in these vital fields.