Calgary is a Top Destination for International Students

Discover the welcoming, diverse, and scenic city located in Alberta, Canada.

Do you want to study in Canada? If so, there are a lot of reasons why you should consider choosing Calgary, Alberta as your final destination. In addition to offering a high standard of education at institutions such as Mount Royal University, it is also a charming city with endless opportunities to add to your overall experience.

Calgary: one of Canada's best-kept secrets

With around 1.5 million residents, Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the third-largest city in Canada. It has been globally recognized as a great place to live by multiple sources. For example, in 2022, Calgary was ranked the third most livable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit and among the top 10 most affordable housing markets in the world by Urban Reform Institute.

Calgary's also one of the most diverse cities in the country. People from over 200 ethnic backgrounds call Calgary home, and there are almost 120 different languages spoken.

Fun and games year-round in Calgary

As a big city, Calgary offers all of the resources and amenities needed for both everyday life and having fun. There are more than 30 major festivals each year, including the world-renowned Calgary Stampede — yahoo! — as well as professional hockey, lacrosse and soccer teams to cheer for. Calgary is also home to the largest bikeway network in North America, with more than 905 kms of paved paths and 95 kms of trails for walking, running, biking, and exploring.

When it comes to weather, Calgary experiences all four seasons and gets an average of 333 days of sun each year, making it Canada's sunniest major city. In the winter, it's the perfect destination for snow sports. Whether you're a beginner or expert, there are world-class ski resorts nearby to meet your needs. In the summer, you can raft down the Bow River, go hiking in nearby Banff National Park, or hang out in one of the city's many beautiful green spaces.

Calgary is also a rapidly-growing city, with many expansive and successful sectors, including the energy, aerospace, technology and entertainment industries. Fun fact: HBO's The Last of Us TV series was filmed in many locations across Calgary, including Mount Royal's campus!

Chat with current students

Want to learn more about what life in Calgary is like? You can chat with international students currently studying at Mount Royal University to hear about their personal experiences.