Diploma Programme
Software Development
A two-year NAIT diploma in Edmonton for people entering software without prior coding experience. Students work through full-stack development, data and AI basics, DevOps, systems skills and UX-focused apps, then move toward roles such as software developer, web developer or data-minded IT contributor.
University
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Country
Canada
Level
Diploma
Field
Software Development
Duration
2 years
Language
English
Campus
Edmonton (Main Campus), hybrid
Degree
NAIT Software Development Diploma
Intake
September, January, May
Application Deadline
International applicants (NAIT program delivery data and international checklist, checked October 12, 2026): applications for Fall generally open August 1 of the prior year; Winter opens January 1 of the prior year. Program-specific international application closing dates on the program page for 2026/27 deliveries include Fall 2026/27 closes July 1, 2026; Winter 2026/27 closes January 7, 2027; Spring 2026/27 closes May 3, 2027. Seats can fill or close earlier, so confirm open status on NAIT's Program Availability for International Students tool before applying. Canadian applicants: apply through ApplyAlberta and watch each delivery's domestic close date on the program page
Tuition Information
NAIT international students tuition table for 2026/27 (study periods September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027), checked October 12, 2026: CAD 735 per credit; year 1 CAD 22,050 (about 30 credits at a full-time load); year 2 CAD 22,050; full program tuition CAD 44,100. Canadian students (domestic 2026-2027 per-credit table): CAD 340.00 per credit; about CAD 10,200 in year 1 and CAD 10,200 in year 2 (roughly CAD 20,400 over two years at the same credit loads). Figures are tuition only; mandatory fees (technology, recreation/athletics, NAITSA, U-Pass, health and dental, and any program/material fees) are extra and listed on NAIT's additional fees page. Books and supplies are not included.
Admission Requirements
- Apply: international applicants use NAIT's International Application for Admission (application.nait.ca), submit required documents, and pay NAIT's non-refundable international application fee. After an offer, accept by paying the non-refundable tuition deposit by the deadline on the offer letter; NAIT then requests a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and usually emails it within about seven business days of the deposit (international checklist, checked October 12, 2026). Canadian citizens and permanent residents apply through ApplyAlberta.
- Academic: Grade 11 Language Arts (English 20-2) and Grade 11 Mathematics (Math 20-2 or Applied Math 20), or equivalents
- English proficiency (NAIT ELP page, checked October 12, 2026; results valid two years): IELTS Academic 6.0 in each section; TOEFL iBT before January 21, 2026: 70 overall with at least 17 in each section, or on/after January 21, 2026: 4.0 overall with 4.0 in each section; Duolingo 115 overall with at least 100 in each integrated subscore; PTE Academic 58 overall; CAEL 60 overall; Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with 169 in each section; NAIT ELP Exam 73% or B in each section; plus other tests NAIT lists. NAIT also accepts consecutive full-time English study in Canada or an ELP-exempt country (for example three years of high school including Grade 12 English, or two years of for-credit post-secondary), NAIT ESL Level 6, or other pathway courses NAIT lists
- Intakes and delivery: campus Edmonton (Main Campus); international full-time delivery listed as hybrid; start terms open to international applicants include September, January, May
- Optional co-op: the program lists a co-op work permit among work-integrated learning requirements; international students who take co-op need the appropriate co-op work permit
- PGWP: NAIT's program data does not flag this credential as PGWP-ineligible (pgwpIneligible false) for the standard international deliveries checked October 12, 2026. Online-only deliveries can be marked PGWP-ineligible. NAIT does not guarantee individual eligibility; IRCC rules can change