Special (Mature) Admission

Special (Mature) Admission is available to applicants who do not qualify for Regular Admission. All direct-entry colleges except the College of Education consider applicants under Special (Mature) Admission. Special (Mature) Admission is also available to those applicants seeking admission to Open Studies.

Are you eligible?

To apply for Special (Mature) Admission you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be 21 years of age by the first day of classes.
• You must be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant.
• You must be entering the first year of study. Applicants who have completed 18 credit units or more of university-level credits are not eligible to apply for Special (Mature) Admission.

“Special Admission made attending the University of Saskatchewan possible by considering my life experience as a qualification. I am pursuing a History degree in preparation for a Law degree.

My experience at the University of Saskatchewan has been rewarding both intellectually and personally. In addition, the support from the faculty, specifically in the Department of History, has been wonderful. I would strongly encourage anyone considering Special Admission to go for it!”

—Alison Piwowar

What we need

In order to be considered for Special (Mature) Admission you must submit the following information:

• An Application for Admission form.
• A $90.00 application fee.
• Proof of age (e.g. photocopy of birth certificate or driver’s license).
• A written request for Special (Mature) Admission. Your written submission should demonstrate your capacity to undertake university-level studies and your commitment to educational goals. The request must include the college to which admission is sought (e.g. Arts & Science); why you have chosen this area of study; and a summary of your work and personal experience since leaving school.
• A copy of your current resume.
• Copies of supporting documents* covering any non-credit programs you might have completed (e.g. Business College, job-related courses, Adult Basic Education, General Equivalency Diploma) should be included with your written submission.
• If you have completed any Grade 12 subjects or courses at a recognized post-secondary institution we will require official transcripts.

*Although you are only required to submit one application for admission and application fee, you will be required to prepare a separate package of supporting documents for each college (including Open Studies) to which you are applying for Special (Mature) Admission.

Things you should know

• Some colleges may require you to appear for an interview as part of the admission procedure.
• Certain Grade 12 subjects are prerequisites for particular areas of study at the University of Saskatchewan. For example, you would require Calculus 30, Mathematics B30 (or Algebra 30), Mathematics C30 (or Geometry-Trigonometry 30), Chemistry 30 and Physics 30 if you planned to apply for Special (Mature) Admission to the College of Engineering.
• If you are accepted, you may be restricted to fewer than the usual number of credit units in your first year of study.
• It is recommended that you take advantage of the study skill sessions offered by the University Learning Centre.

Special (Mature) Admission is competitive and admission is not guaranteed. The admission decision is based on your written submission, demonstrated academic potential, successful completion of the required prerequisite subjects and in some cases an interview.

Subject Requirements

Some areas of study at the University of Saskatchewan require particular Grade 12 courses as prerequisites.