International Students

We strongly recommend that international students applying to the seminary submit their application six (6) months prior to their desired starting date.

International Student Handbook

*Late applications may not allow enough time for a study permit to be processed by the Government of Canada. A delayed start date may need to be considered. To check processing times for study permit applications, visit the Government of Canada website.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A letter of acceptance for the purpose of obtaining a study permit cannot be released until the application portfolio is complete and reviewed and sufficient funds have been deposited into the applicant's student account.

Step 1

Be informed

Read the general Seminary Admission Requirements before proceeding.
Read the Financial Requirements [(below) before proceeding.
Read the Official Transcripts Requirements (below) before proceeding.
Read the English Language Requirement (below) before proceeding.

Step 2

Submit your Briercrest application

• Complete the Online Application Form (International students must provide a $250 non-refundable application fee made in Canadian funds; American students pay a $50 non-refundable application fee in Canadian funds).
• Submit all requested documents
  • Official transcripts sent from all post-secondary institutions you have attended
  • Pastoral Reference form
  • Academic Reference form
  • Outcomes Assessment form for the program you are applying for.
    • Outcomes Assessment: Certificate of the Seminary
    • Outcomes Assessment: MA Biblical Languages and Exegesis
    • Outcomes Assessment: MA Leadership and Management
    • Outcomes Assessment: MA Marriage and Family Therapy
    • Outcomes Assessment: MA Theological Studies
    • Outcomes Assessment: Master of Christian Ministries
    • Outcomes Assessment: Master of Counseling
    • Outcomes Assessment: Master of Divinity

*Faxed or emailed copies of your transcripts will not be accepted as official copies.

*Please note that the Briercrest College Admission Office reserves the right to request additional information from any applicant.

Step 3

Deposit the full amount of your first year’s tuition, fees, and living expenses into your Briercrest Seminary student account. (Not applicable for American students, though proof of funds must be shown at customs/border crossing.)

• After applying, a cost of attendance letter will be sent to you with the estimated cost for your first year of studies and steps for depositing the required financial guarantee.
• See Financial Requirement (below) for more information.

Step 4

Prepare documents for your study permit application

• Once accepted, your letter of acceptance and a proof of funds statement will be sent to you. You will need these to apply for your study permit with the Government of Canada.
• Learn more about study permits and what’s needed here.
• NOTE: You will receive a letter of introduction from the Government of Canada once your application has been approved. Please note that this is NOT your study permit. Study permits are given at customs/borders.

Financial Requirements

All unused funds deposited to a student account for the purposes of demonstrating financial stability for entrance into the country will be refunded to the student.

See these pages for more information on:

• Tuition and Fees
• Payment and Refunds
• Scholarships

For the study permit application, the Canadian government requires international students to provide a financial guarantee for themselves and all dependents that will be accompanying them to Canada for their first year of study. International students must deposit sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and other school fees for the student and family for the first year of studies in the applicant's Briercrest College and Seminary student account. Your financial estimate will be sent to you by your Admissions Adviser during the Briercrest application process.

NOTE: Payment should be made in Canadian funds and is payable only by wire transfer, certified cheque, MasterCard, or VISA. These amounts will be held on deposit at Briercrest until they are needed for their intended purpose. If a study permit is denied, the full cost of attendance deposited minus processing fees will be refunded to the student.

Official Transcripts Requirements

Students must submit official copies of transcripts from:

• All post-secondary institutions from which have graduated or attended
• Any classes taken from another graduate school or seminary

Where transcripts are in an original language other than French or English, notarized English translations of the transcripts must also be provided.

Transcripts will be analyzed for transfer credit.

Transcripts are to be mailed directly from the issuing institution to:

Briercrest Admissions
510 College Drive
Caronport SK S0H 0S0 Canada

See our general policy on Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning.

Foreign Credential Recognition

Briercrest requires that the academic records of applicants who have completed postsecondary education outside of Canada and/or the United States be assessed for Canadian equivalency. Briercrest requires a course-by-course or comprehensive assessment. (This policy can also be found in our Seminary Academic Calendar.)

English Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants for whom English is not their first language must show that they are able to perform at a high academic level in English. This must be demonstrated by completing one of the following Standardized Tests, and submitting test results to the Admissions Office (scores are valid for a maximum of two years):

• TOEFL (Briercrest Institution Code: 9644) – Internet-based test. Minimum total score of 90 with minimum of 20 in each test category; www.toefl.org/index.html
• CAEL – Minimum score, 60; cael@carleton.ca, www.cael.ca
• IELTS (academic) – Band score, 6.5; www.ielts.org
• MELAB – Minimum score, 85; www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/