University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university in Edmonton serving 46,201 students across 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, with major federally funded platforms in AI compute (CAICV), health data (VITAL), defence innovation (DEFENDS), and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1908
- HeadquartersEdmonton, Canada
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Alberta does
The University of Alberta is a public research university established in 1908 under Alberta's Post-secondary Learning Act, headquartered in Edmonton with five campuses across Alberta (North Campus, South Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, Augustana Campus in Camrose, Enterprise Square, and Calgary Centre). It serves 46,201 students from 159 countries across more than 200 undergraduate programs and 500 graduate programs, supported by 10,000+ employees and a 300,000+ alumni network spanning 140 countries.
Revenue is generated through four primary streams: tuition and educational services (subscription model across domestic, international, graduate, and continuing education programs), research grants and funding (federal and provincial government grants across health, defence, AI, and pharmaceuticals), donations and endowments (including a record $93.5 million gift in 2026 from the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and Alberta Women's Health Foundation), and campus services such as dining, residences, recreation facilities serving 600,000+ annual visitors, and retail operations.
Core technology platforms include the Data Analytics Research Core (DARC) powered by SAS Viya, the Canadian AI Compute Vault (CAICV) for SME AI development at up to 70% lower cost than hyperscalers, the DEFENDS dual-use defence research platform, and Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), one of Canada's three national AI institutes. The university also operates AI-powered smart prosthetics (Bento Arm, NekSpine exoskeleton), VR nursing simulation, the VITAL national health data platform serving 160 hospitals, and the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. Distribution occurs through direct enrollment, the Upper Bound AI conference, government and industry partnerships (Hanwha Power, City of Edmonton, First Hydrogen, Optima Living, Canterbury Foundation), and commercialized IP via the spinoffs database and licensing office.
University of Alberta firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Alberta
- Legal name
- University of Alberta
- Website
- https://ualberta.ca
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1908
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of Alberta is a public research university in Edmonton serving 46,201 students across 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, with major federally funded platforms in AI compute (CAICV), health data (VITAL), defence innovation (DEFENDS), and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Alberta industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG), Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)
Keywords
Where University of Alberta is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edmonton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
University of Alberta business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue from domestic and international undergraduate and graduate tuition fees across more than 200 undergraduate and 500 graduate programs. Includes continuing education programs with 200+ courses and 40+ programs.
- Research Grants and Funding: Federal and provincial government funding for research programs. Recent examples include $3M from PrairiesCan for Canadian AI Compute Vault, $21M provincial investment for DEFENDS, $3M federal for DEFENDS, $6.1M+ through Regional Defence Investment Initiative, $560K for MAID national review, $1.5M through New Frontiers in Research Fund, $50M for Canadian Critical Drug Initiative, and $3M for PRIME national initiative.
- Donations and Endowments: Landmark $93.5M gift from Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and Alberta Women's Health Foundation over 10 years — the largest gift in the institution's history. Combined support exceeding $112M since 2006 from these foundations.
- Campus Services and Facilities: Revenue from campus services including dining services, residence meal plans, recreation facilities, printing services (SUBprint), retail (SUBmart), events venues, and catering. The Students' Union operates with a budget of more than $10 million annually.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Domestic Undergraduate Tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | International Undergraduate Tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | Graduate Tuition |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Continuing Education Programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Residence Meal Plans |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels9 records
University of Alberta product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Alberta is a public research university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education degree and certificate programs to more than 46,000 students across five campuses, and conducts large-scale funded research spanning health, energy, AI, defence, and Indigenous studies. Revenue is generated through tuition, government operating and research grants, philanthropic donations, and campus-based services such as housing, dining, and recreation.
Product overview
The University of Alberta is a comprehensive research university offering educational programs across multiple faculties and colleges, with significant research infrastructure and technology platforms. Its technology offerings include research platforms (DARC for health data analytics, CAICV for AI compute infrastructure, DEFENDS for defence innovation), educational technology (VR nursing simulations), and healthcare facilities (Neurology Rehabilitation Centre). The institution operates across five campuses serving over 46,000 students from 159 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Augustana Campus: Campus located in Camrose, Alberta offering liberal arts and sciences education
- Campus Saint-Jean
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI)
- DEFENDS
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs More than 200 bachelor's-level programs offered across the Faculties of Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Law, Science, Agricultural Life & Environmental Sciences, Medicine & Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Kinesiology, Public Health, and Rehabilitation Medicine, as well as Augustana Campus and Campus Saint-Jean. Open to domestic and international applicants through the university's online admissions portal.
- Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs More than 500 graduate programs spanning 250 specializations and 300 research areas, including master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral training across all faculties, with applications through the graduate studies portal.
- Continuing Education Programs More than 200 courses and 40+ certificate and professional development programs offered part-time or online through the coned.ualberta.ca portal for working professionals and lifelong learners. Includes organizational training services.
- International MD Program (Alberta Institute at Wenzhou Medical University) International medical degree program delivered in partnership with Wenzhou Medical University in China, allowing students to receive Canadian and Chinese medical training through the Alberta Institute.
- Data Analytics Research Core (DARC) Health data management and analysis platform powered by SAS Viya, enabling university and hospital researchers to process and analyse large volumes of health data including diagnostic imaging, clinical trials, and patient records.
- Canadian AI Compute Vault (CAICV) Secure AI development hub providing high-performance computing and cybersecurity certifications to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses operating under Canadian law, at costs up to 70% cheaper than commercial hyperscalers such as Google Cloud and AWS.
- VR Nursing Simulation Program Pilot virtual reality program providing immersive clinical scenario training through VR headsets and online simulations, enabling nursing students to practice high-stress situations such as caring for mpox patients or assisting with labour.
- Neurology Rehabilitation Centre $2.7-million Neurology Rehabilitation Centre at University of Alberta Hospital equipped with advanced robotic technology including an Ekso exoskeleton and Zero-G track system for early rehabilitation of neurology patients after injury or stroke, funded by the University Hospital Foundation.
- DEFENDS (Dual-Use Ecosystem for Future Engineering, National Defence and Sovereignty) Partnership platform connecting university researchers, Canadian businesses, and the Canadian Armed Forces for defence innovation, leveraging regional strengths across Alberta municipalities including Edmonton's advanced manufacturing and Calgary's aerospace expertise.
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI) Research institute at the University of Alberta advancing research addressing gaps in women's and children's health, supported by a landmark $93.5 million gift from Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and Alberta Women's Health Foundation over 10 years.
- VITAL Health Data Platform Health data platform expanding across 160 hospitals in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec to break down health data silos, enable AI tool development for healthcare, and ensure Canadian data sovereignty. Awarded $100 million in federal funding for national expansion.
- On-Campus Residence and Meal Plans Residence accommodation in Lister and Peter Lougheed Halls with mandatory and voluntary meal plan options for first-year, upper-year, and graduate students, including access to all dining halls.
- Campus & Community Recreation Recreation services operating 750,000 square feet across 37 facilities including the Hanson Fitness & Lifestyle Centre, Wilson Climbing Centre, Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome), Saville Community Sports Centre, Saville Fitness Centre, Competition Gymnasium, Curling Rink, Tennis Centre, and Foote Field, serving over 600,000 annual visitors.
- Follett Course Material Access Program Canada's first campus-wide course material access program through Follett of Canada, providing all undergraduate students immediate access to required course materials starting Fall 2026.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% reduction in CT scans in children through health data analytics algorithm developed on DARC platform
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Alberta
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles8 records
University of Alberta technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
University of Alberta partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Hanwha PowermajorHanwha Power signed an MOU with the University of Alberta on May 22 for joint R&D in low-carbon energy technologies including waste heat recovery systems, Turbo Expander Generators, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). The partnership is part of the Industrial and Technological Benefits program linked to Hanwha Ocean's $40 billion Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. The collaboration aims to advance Hanwha Power's energy recycling technologies and evaluate their feasibility in the North American market.
- City of EdmontonmajorThe University of Alberta partnered with the City of Edmonton and Diesel Tech Industries (DTI) to research hydrogen fuel integration into the city's diesel-powered bus fleet, aiming to reduce carbon emissions through hydrogen-diesel dual fuel combustion and 100% hydrogen combustion technologies. The project is funded through NSERC Alliance and Emissions Reduction Alberta grants, with retrofit kits to be commercialized across Canada.
- Diesel Tech Industries (DTI)majorDTI partners with the university and City of Edmonton to produce hydrogen-diesel retrofit kits for Edmonton's buses that can be sold to vehicle operators across Canada. Researchers in U of A's Mechanical Engineering Energy Control Lab develop the technology while DTI handles commercial production.
- St. Michael's HospitalcoreThe VITAL health data platform, founded by St. Michael's Hospital physicians Dr. Fahad Razak and Dr. Amol Verma, has been awarded $100 million in federal funding for national expansion starting with 160 hospitals in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. The university participates in this expansion which aims to break down health data silos, enable AI tool development, and ensure Canadian data sovereignty.
- Alberta SPCAminorThe University of Alberta and Alberta SPCA co-developed a new toolkit to help peace officers address both animal welfare concerns and the mental well-being of animal owners they encounter. Funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the project uses the World Health Organization's One Health approach to improve rural health outcomes.
- First Hydrogen Corp.minorFirst Hydrogen partnered with the University of Alberta on molten salt fuel research for future small nuclear reactors (SMRs), aiming to identify non-radioactive molten-salt fuel mixtures to guide R&D and prototype development for safe, efficient, and flexible nuclear energy options.
- Optima LivingminorA four-year partnership between Optima Living and the University of Alberta's Department of Medicine focused on improving dementia and aging care through research, care models, and community engagement. The collaboration developed the Spark Memory Living Program which has shown measurable benefits for residents.
- Canterbury FoundationminorUniversity of Alberta researchers led by professor Megan Strickfaden partnered with the Canterbury Foundation on a five-year project to redesign Canterbury Lane seniors' residence, creating a memory care wing for residents with dementia featuring destination spaces designed to help residents maintain autonomy.
- NiaHealthminorNiaHealth conducted a qualitative research study in 2025 in partnership with the University of Alberta, involving interviews with users of their biomarker testing platform. The study identified key themes around user motivation, perceived value, user experience, and healthcare integration.
- Vortex Energy Corp.minorVortex Energy Corp. partnered with the University of Alberta resulting in an abstract submission for the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, focusing on assessment of the Robinson River Salt Dome for hydrogen storage using ambient noise tomography.
- Wenzhou Medical UniversityminorInternational MD program partnership established in 2019 combining Canadian and Chinese medical training. The Alberta Institute at Wenzhou Medical University celebrated its first graduating cohort in 2025 and received the ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award at a global conference.
- Healthcare Excellence CanadaminorCanadian Institutes of Health Research investing $3 million in partnership with Healthcare Excellence Canada to support the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium, bringing together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and patients to test and scale team-based primary care models.
- Edmonton Region Defence Alliance (ERDA)majorERDA is a newly created consortium aimed at establishing Edmonton as a defence hub in Canada, building on regional assets including proximity to military installations, industrial capacity, skilled workforce, and supported by federal funding and regional organizations.
- University of CalgaryminorUniversity of Calgary's drone research capabilities are identified as a complementary strength within Alberta's broader defence innovation ecosystem, alongside Edmonton's advanced manufacturing and Medicine Hat's drone capabilities.
Scale indicators26 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
University of Alberta competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Toronto: Canada's top-ranked research university and the most direct comparator to U of A in terms of comprehensive graduate programs, research output, and federal funding capture. Both compete for talent, federal grants, and industry partnerships.
- McGill University: Another Top-3 Canadian research university with comparable program breadth, graduate school depth, and international student profile. McGill is a key competitor for international student recruitment and federal research funding.
- University of British Columbia: Top-3 Canadian research university with multi-campus system (Vancouver, Okanagan) and comparable research intensity. UBC is an existing research partner of U of A on the vaping study, illustrating their peer-level collaboration.
- University of Waterloo: Research-intensive Canadian university with deep tech/AI/quantum focus and strong industry partnership model. Directly comparable to U of A on AI commercialization, computer science research, and SME engagement.
- McMaster University: Top Canadian research university with comparable medical school strength, research funding scale, and graduate program breadth — particularly comparable on health research and nuclear/hydrogen energy research.
- University of Calgary: Alberta's other major research university and most direct geographic competitor. Complementary drone research is part of the Alberta defence ecosystem alongside U of A's DEFENDS platform.
- Queen's University: Established Canadian research university with comparable graduate program depth, professional schools (law, medicine, business), and federal research funding capture.
- Western University: Comparable Canadian research university with strong professional schools, federal research funding, and similar enrollment scale. Director-level U of A staff have been recruited from Western, indicating parallel academic markets.
Broad incumbents
- University of Saskatchewan: Western Canadian research university with comparable agricultural, life sciences, and synchrotron-light-source research infrastructure. Less internationally competitive but overlaps with U of A on prairie-region research funding.
Emerging players
- Simon Fraser University: BC-based research university with growing AI/computing focus. Smaller and less comprehensive than U of A but competing for similar tech-talent and federal innovation funding pools.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Alberta social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Alberta financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Alberta leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
University of Alberta funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds13 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Alberta M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments3 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Alberta
What does University of Alberta do?
The University of Alberta is a public research university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education degree and certificate programs to more than 46,000 students across five campuses, and conducts large-scale funded research spanning health, energy, AI, defence, and Indigenous studies. Revenue is generated through tuition, government operating and research grants, philanthropic donations, and campus-based services such as housing, dining, and recreation.
Is University of Alberta a public or private company?
University of Alberta is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Alberta founded?
University of Alberta was founded in 1908. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is University of Alberta based?
University of Alberta is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does University of Alberta make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Educational Services are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Funding, donations and Endowments and campus Services and Facilities.
Who are University of Alberta's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, McMaster University, University of Calgary, Queen's University and Western University. University of Saskatchewan is listed as a broad incumbent. Simon Fraser University is listed as an emerging player.
Does University of Alberta have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Alberta.
What industry is University of Alberta in?
University of Alberta's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAF, Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools, with a secondary code of EDAHAAAG, Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.