University of Calgary Continuing Education

What University of Calgary Continuing Education does

University of Calgary Continuing Education is the non-credit continuing education and professional development division of the University of Calgary, a public post-secondary institution operating under Alberta's Post-Secondary Learning Act. The department delivers certificates, diplomas, micro-credentials, and individual courses spanning more than 60 program areas, including business, technology, design, human resources, project management, digital transformation, languages, and personal enrichment. Programs range from 28-hour short courses to 275-hour diplomas and are offered online, in-class, and in blended formats to adult learners balancing work and family commitments.

The portfolio is delivered through the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system with VMware Horizon providing virtual lab environments for technology courses such as .NET Application Development. Certificates are priced from approximately $1,400 to $6,245 and individual courses from $319 to $879, with bundle discounts of 5–10% and a 24/7 chatbot (Hana) supporting self-serve registration. Digital badges and CPHR Alberta-aligned credentials provide formal recognition of completion, and the department maintains strategic content partnerships with Tantus for the Digital Transformation certificate and with the Esmail and Safana Bharwani Foundation for student scholarships.

Revenue is generated primarily through student tuition with secondary streams from customized corporate training contracts and donor-funded scholarships. The department operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer self-serve registration via online, phone (403-220-2866 / 1-866-220-4992), and in-person channels (Downtown Campus, 906 8th Avenue SW), plus a direct corporate training sales channel for employer-sponsored professional development. The customer base comprises thousands of lifelong learners annually across mid-career professionals, new Canadians, non-profit sector organizations, and personal-enrichment learners, with operating geographies spanning Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Name

University of Calgary Continuing Education

Legal name

University of Calgary Continuing Education

Website

https://conted.ucalgary.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

University of Calgary Continuing Education delivers non-credit professional certificates, diplomas, and individual courses across 60+ program areas to adult learners in Calgary, Alberta, via online and in-person formats under the University of Calgary brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education / Professional Development

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Business and Secretarial Schools (61141), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Digital Skills & Tech Upskilling (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAE), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

Keywords

• Professional certificates
• Continuing education
• Adult learning
• Corporate training
• Non-credit programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certificate Program Fees: Revenue from professional certificates ranging from 60-250 hours, priced from approximately $1,400 to $6,245. Programs include Visual Design ($4,459), Digital Transformation ($3,894), Human Resource programs ($2,002-$6,245), and IT Fundamentals ($3,516-$4,395).
2. Individual Course Fees: Per-course fees for professional development courses ranging from approximately $319 to $879. Includes technology courses, design courses, business courses, and skill-building seminars.
3. Corporate Training: Customized training programs delivered to organizations seeking professional development for employees. Collaborative approach with industry professionals tailored to employer needs.
4. Donations and Scholarships: Support from corporate and private donors for student financial assistance through grants, funding, and scholarships programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

University of Calgary Continuing Education delivers non-credit professional certificates, diplomas, and individual courses for adult learners seeking career advancement, upskilling, or personal enrichment. Offerings span IT, design, human resources, project management, digital transformation, and small business subjects, delivered online, in-class, and in blended formats using the Desire2Learn LMS. Programs range from 28-hour short courses to 275-hour diplomas, with digital badges and stackable credential pathways.

Product overview

University of Calgary Continuing Education offers a diverse portfolio of professional certificates and diplomas designed for adult learners seeking career advancement, skill development, and personal enrichment. The offerings include IT and programming certificates (IT Fundamentals, .NET Application Development), design programs (Visual Design, Graphic Design), business and management credentials (Project Management, Human Resources, Digital Transformation, Small Business Management), and sector-specific programs. Programs range from 28 to 275 hours, combining online and in-class delivery with digital badge and professional credential options. The portfolio serves entry-level professionals through advanced practitioners, with stackable credentials leading from certificates to diplomas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate in IT Fundamentals A 120-hour professional certificate providing foundational knowledge in computer programming, databases, networks, and development methodologies using C# and .NET framework, targeted at entry-level IT professionals.
• Certificate in Visual Design A 250-hour flexible certificate program covering foundational design principles including interior design, photography, graphic design, fine art, and landscape design, with specializations in Art Theory and Practice and Interior Design.
• Digital Transformation Certificate An 84-hour program delivered in collaboration with Tantus, focusing on strategic digital transformation, change management, AI, Big Data, IoT, and Cloud Computing to enhance business processes and customer experience.
• Graphic Design - Design Essentials A 90-hour micro-credential program covering graphic design history, principles, and best practices, awarded with a digital badge credential.
• Human Resource Fundamentals Certificate A 100-hour certificate covering human resource management, employee development and training, and recruitment and selection, aligned with the CPHR competency framework.
• Human Resource Advanced Certificate A 120-hour certificate for mid-level HR professionals covering workforce planning, talent management, and Canadian human resource law, aligned with CPHR competency areas.
• Human Resource Generalist Diploma A 275-hour diploma preparing professionals for HR department operations including recruitment, workforce planning, training and development, and EDIA, with a real-world applied learning project.
• Project Management Foundations Certificate A professional certificate providing fundamental competencies, knowledge, and tools for project management roles.
• Advanced Project Management Diploma A diploma providing advanced competencies and tools to advance projects that impact business growth.
• Project Management Basics for the Non-Profit Sector A 28-hour short program for non-profit sector individuals covering project management essentials, developing high-performing teams, and developing business proposals.
• Small Business Management Basics for Entrepreneurs A 60-hour program covering starting a business, managing small business growth, and marketing and sales for entrepreneurs, awarded with a digital badge credential.
• .NET Application Development Certificate A certificate program teaching C# programming, Visual Studio, .NET framework, software development processes, and Agile methodologies for developing professional Windows applications.
• Customized Corporate Training Customized training programs delivered to organizations seeking professional development for employees, using a collaborative approach with industry professionals tailored to employer needs.
• Individual Continuing Education Courses Standalone non-credit courses in technology (e.g., Computer Programming Level 3), design (e.g., Typography, Kitchen Design, Interior Design), and business (e.g., Building High-Performing Teams, Developing Business Proposals) offered for personal enrichment and professional development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Flexible completion timelines - certificates can be completed in 1-3 years depending on course load
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TantuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Transformation program delivered in collaboration with Tantus. Tantus appears to be a technology consulting firm contributing expertise to the digital transformation curriculum covering topics like AI, Big Data, IoT, and Cloud Computing.
• Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta (CPHR Alberta)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman Resource programs offered in alignment with CPHR Competency Framework. CPHR is a non-for-profit professional association dedicated to strengthening the HR profession. Programs help prepare students for CPHR designation and continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• McGill School of Continuing Studies: McGill University's continuing education school offering professional certificates and diplomas with industry-aligned content. Directly comparable in scope, delivery model, and learner segments to UCalgary CE.
• University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies: Another major Canadian university's non-credit continuing education division offering certificates, diplomas, and professional development across business, technology, and design — directly comparable in mission, portfolio, and target learner to UCalgary CE.
• Athabasca University: Canadian online-first university offering flexible distance continuing education programs. Directly comparable to UCalgary CE's online and part-time learner focus, particularly for non-credit and professional development programming.
• Toronto Metropolitan University (G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education): Ryerson/TMU's continuing education division offering certificates and diplomas across business, design, and technology with strong online and part-time delivery — directly comparable in operating model to UCalgary CE.
• UBC Continuing Studies: University of British Columbia's continuing education unit delivering certificates and diplomas in business, technology, and design to working professionals. Highly comparable in structure, program mix, and audience to UCalgary CE.
• York University School of Continuing Studies: York University's continuing education school offering certificates, diplomas, and professional development across business and technology — comparable in mission, learner segments, and program portfolio to UCalgary CE.

Regional players

• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology): Calgary-based polytechnic delivering continuing education and professional development, with strong overlap in technology and business programming. Competes for the same Calgary-area adult learner audience.
• Mount Royal University Continuing Education: Calgary-based post-secondary institution offering professional development and continuing education courses. Operates in the same Calgary market with overlapping program areas, increasing local competitive intensity.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities to deliver certificates and specializations. Overlaps with UCalgary CE's professional certificate and digital skills offerings at much larger scale and lower price points.
• Harvard Extension School: Established, well-known university continuing education division offering professional certificates and courses with a powerful global brand. Comparable in offering structure but operates at much larger scale and brand recognition than UCalgary CE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UCalgaryContEd
• Facebookfacebook.com/uofcconted
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-calgary-continuing-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucalgarycontinuinged
• TikToktiktok.com/@ucalgaryconted

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Calgary Continuing Education