Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
General Information
The Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is one of only two medical schools in Canada (alongside McMaster) to offer an accelerated three-year MD program. This intensive, year-round schedule allows students to enter residency a full year earlier than traditional four-year programs.
General Info
Established: 1967.
Location: Foothills Campus, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta.
Degree Conferred: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Duration: 3 Years (11 months of instruction per year).
Language of Instruction: English.
Accreditation: Fully accredited by CACMS (Canada) and LCME (USA).
Eligibility: Primarily for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents.
Alberta Residents: 85% of seats.
Non-Alberta Residents: Up to 15% of seats.
International Students: Generally not eligible for the MD program.
Campus Facilities
Foothills Campus: Unlike the main UCalgary campus, the medical school is located at the Foothills site, integrated directly with major provincial hospitals and research institutes.
Accelerated Learning: The program runs for 33 consecutive months. While this saves a year of tuition and time, it means students do not have traditional four-month summer breaks.
Presentation-Based Learning: The curriculum is organized around clinical presentations (e.g., "chest pain" or "shortness of breath") rather than traditional siloed subjects like anatomy or biochemistry.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
The school is deeply integrated with Alberta Health Services (AHS):
Foothills Medical Centre: The primary teaching hospital, a major Level 1 trauma center and the largest hospital in Alberta.
Alberta Children’s Hospital: A world-class pediatric facility located near the campus.
Rockyview General Hospital & Peter Lougheed Centre: Key sites for diverse clinical rotations in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care.
South Health Campus: A state-of-the-art "wellness" focused hospital in southeast Calgary.
UCLIC (University of Calgary Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship): Third-year students can opt to spend 32 weeks in a rural or regional community (e.g., High River, Yellowknife, or Banff) to learn medicine in a generalist, community-focused environment.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
Tuition is charged per year, but because the program is 3 years, the total degree cost is often lower than 4-year programs.
Annual Tuition (Domestic): Approximately $16,500 – $18,500 CAD per year.
Mandatory Fees: Approx. $1,500 CAD per year (includes transit pass, health insurance, and student union fees).
Application Fee: $150 CAD.
Total Degree Tuition: Roughly $50,000 – $55,000 CAD (Total).
City Details
Vibe: A vibrant, sun-drenched city famous for the Calgary Stampede and its proximity to the Rocky Mountains (Banff is only 1 hour away). It is Canada's "energy capital" and has a high concentration of corporate headquarters.
Transport: Students receive a U-Pass for the CTrain and bus network.
Climate: Cold winters but famous for Chinooks—warm winds that can raise temperatures by 20°C in hours. Summers are warm and dry.
Safety: Very high. Calgary is consistently ranked as one of the most livable and safest cities in the world.
Hostel & Mess
On-Campus Living:
Crowsnest Hall: A dedicated residence for graduate and professional students (located on the main campus, a short shuttle/bus ride away).
Cost: Approx. $1,100 – $1,500 CAD per month.
Off-Campus (Highly Recommended): Most medical students live in neighborhoods surrounding the Foothills Campus like Parkdale, St. Andrews Heights, or West Hillhurst.
Rent: Shared housing ranges from $850 – $1,300 CAD per month.
Dining: Professional students self-cater.
Food Budget: Approx. $450 – $650 CAD per month. The Foothills Hospital cafeteria and nearby Kensington shops are popular local spots.
Miscellaneous
Academic Requirements: Minimum 2 full-time years of university (competitive applicants usually have a completed degree).
GPA: Minimum 3.2 (Alberta) / 3.8 (Non-Alberta).
Standardized Tests:
MCAT: Mandatory. For 2026, only the "New" MCAT (2015+) is accepted.
Indigenous Education Requirement: Mandatory for all 2026 applicants. Must be completed via an approved course or certificate.
Selection: UCalgary uses a holistic "Top 10" life experiences section in the application.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates (approx. 500) participate in a virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
2026 Timeline:
Application Deadline: October 1, 2025 (4:00 PM MST).
Program Start: Mandatory orientation on July 2, 2026.
Collage Images Gallery
Facilities & Campus Life
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
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