The First Nations University of Canada was established in 1976 as Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and is presently a federated college of the University of Regina. Due to this reason, admissions and other academic activities at the institute are conducted as per the guidelines of its parent university. The institute is a renowned higher education institute of Canada, specialized in offering indigenous knowledge and is highly respectful of diverse cultural beliefs. 

The university provides undergraduate, graduate, diploma, and certificate programs in various fields of study. It has also proposed the creation of an 18-credit (6 courses) Certificate of Reconciliation Studies (CRS) for its aspirants. It maintains a Dene immersion educational setting with the help of the Clearwater River Dene Nation and the Northern Lights School Division. The student-faculty ratio at the institute is around 20:1 which ensures individual attention for all its students and makes it a coveted choice for studying in Canada. 

First Nations University of Canada admissions are offered in fall and winter semesters and requires a non refundable application fee of 100 CAD. Ambitious international students must complete their application and submit the documents before the deadline in order to ease the process of visa and transportation. The institute observes an acceptance rate of over 80% and is thus a moderately selective university in the country.

Rankings

  • The institute has been ranked in the top 100 in the category of Canadian University rankings by UniRank
  • The similar survey ranked the institute at 7981 under the international University rankings

Highlights

Programs offered Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and post-graduate studies.
Application Portal University of Regina website
Application fees 100 CAD
Academic calendar Semester based
Mode of Payment Credit Card, Flywire, cash.
Financial Aid Scholarship, loans, and grants.
Tuition deposit 500 CAD
Student-faculty ratio 20:1
Work experience Required

Programs, Campus and Accommodation

Campus

The university has three campuses in the following locations:

  • Regina Campus: 1 First Nations Way, Regina, within the campus of the University of Regina
  • Saskatoon Campus: 226–230 20th Street East, Saskatoon, within the campus of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
  • Northern Campus: 1301 Central Ave, Prince Albert
    • Each of the three campuses of the university has its own library containing both the printed copies and the e-copies of the books
    • The institute believes in Healthy learning and offers counseling services for students dealing with personal issues and several seminars and workshops are conducted on exam stress, anxiety, etc.
    • The University offers highly equipped computer labs, computer facilities in libraries (available in all the three campuses) and parking facilities for its students.
    • Apart from regular classes, the students can also avail the benefits of tutor services and writing centers where one can improve writing skills. 
    • The institute also has a women’s center, student success center, and UR Pride Center for diversity and gender equality. All these groups work towards the well-being, basic rights, and success of students.

Housing Facilities/Residence

  • The University offers an on-campus housing facility only in Regina campus. Saskatoon and Northern campus do not have residences.
  • The Regina campus has five housing options namely, kisik tower, La Cite, Paskwaw and Wapka tower, Luther College, College West.
  • All the residencies have amenities such as lockers, bike storage, TV room, internet connection, laundry service, games and music room, etc.
  • The University students also get benefits of University bus and grocery bus which takes students for grocery shopping on a weekly basis.

Courses

  • The university offers a range of courses for international students including academic programs in Business, Humanities, Social science, Health Science, and Arts at undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Community-based programs and Reconciliation Studies are the two unique and interesting kinds of courses offered by the institute.
  • Apart from traditional classroom teaching, the University also provides online and distant learning methods. Online certificate of Administration (indigenous management) is one such online course offered by the business school of the university.
  • The organization also offers popular graduate programs like Masters of Linguistics, Masters of Indigenous Education and Masters of Indigenous Social Work

First Nations University of Canada Admission Process

How to Apply?

Undergraduate Admissions:

Application Portal- Apply using the online application portal of University of Regina

Application fee- 100 CAD (non-refundable)

Application deadline- March 1 (Fall semester), September 1 (Winter Semester)

Basic Admission Requirements-

  • High school results of 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. 
  • English Language Proficiency Test scores.
  • Copy of passport.
  • Statement of purpose.

Graduate Admissions:

The First Nations University of Canada offers graduate courses via the University of Regina. For applying to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and research, the requirements are as follows:

  • The students are required to complete an online application form with a 100 CAD fee. For applying to more than one course, a separate application is needed.
  • The documents required are:
    • Unofficial transcripts sent via email for review. The transcripts should be translated into the English language and the degree certificate should be attached.
    • Two Reference forms have to be submitted.
    • Resume or personal statement. Paper copies are not required.
    • Test scores such as ELP, GMAT, or GRE are required. GMAT is required only for Business courses.

The students are recommended to check the program page to find any additional requirements.

When and where to apply?

  • Since the university is a federated college of the University of Regina, the applicants are required to visit the official website for both online and offline applications
  • In order to apply online for the programs offered by the institute, the applicants are required to have a valid e-mail address and credit card number
  • In order to apply offline, the students are required to submit the hard copy of the application form carrying details of the chosen faculty and program
  • Applicants from high schools are required to submit one original copy of their high school transcript
  • Two official transcripts are needed to be submitted by the applicants who have previously completed any post-secondary education at any institute other than the University of Regina
  • Candidates willing to apply for graduate programs are required to contact the Graduate Studies and Research Office through grad.studies@uregina.ca

English Language Proficiency for International Admissions

These are the minimum scores requirement and anything less will not be accepted.

Tests accepted Minimum scores for undergraduate Minimum scores for nursing Minimum scores for graduate
TOEFL (iBT) 83 90 20-25 each band
TOEFL (PBT) Not accepted Not accepted 20-25 each band
IELTS 6.5 7.0 6.5-7.5
CAN test 4.5 4.5 4.5-5
PTE 59 - 59-68
CAEL 60 70 70-80

Note that the students who fail to submit ELP can be offered a conditional offer letter. 

First Nations University Cost of Attendance

For the provable aspirants of the institute, it is highly recommended to have an estimate of the cost of living in Canada when applying for admission at the university. The details mentioned below are the estimated costs for two semesters.

Type of Expenditure Cost
Tuition and fees (based on 24 credit hours) 6,214.90 CAD
Health and Dental plan 215.25 CAD
Books and supplies 1,500 CAD
Residence 6,404 CAD
Food 1,772 CAD
Miscellaneous 2,500 CAD
Total 18,606 CAD

Note that the tuition fee, residence cost, and food cost may vary.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

The students admitted to the university are eligible to receive awards and scholarships in Canada for international students offered by the First Nations University of Canada as well as the University of Regina.

Some of the scholarship details are as follows:

  • Adam Dreamhealer Prize: The students enrolled in bachelors of Science or applied sciences are eligible to apply for this scholarship. The amount is 500 CAD and Students must have an academic standing of 65%. The application deadline is February 28.
  • Dr. Oliver Brass Graduate Studies Award: This is available only for Masters and Ph.D. students. The student must be of aboriginal heritage and a Canadian resident. The award amount is 1000 CAD and is a merit-based scholarship.
  • Indigenous Author Award: Any student of Indian ancestry, enrolled in a full-time or part-time course in FNUniv is eligible to apply for this scholarship. The award amount is 350 CAD. The students will have to submit 8 poems, or 2 pieces of fiction, or 1 play, on the basis of which the award is presented.
  • Rose Nolan scholarships: This is available for status Indian women who are Canadian residents. The student must have completed one year of full-time education in any course at FNUniv. The award amount is 5000 CAD.

Alumni Network

The First Nations University of Canada has an alumni network of over 5,400 members. Some notable alumni of the University are Raven Sinclair (faculty), Connie Walker (Journalist), Lita Fontaine (artist), and Morgan Wood (curator).