Graduate Diploma Programme
Data Analytics
A one-year SAIT post-diploma certificate in Calgary for graduates who want to move into data work. It covers turning raw data into insights, visualization and storytelling, data mining and predictive analytics, industry analytics tools and data ethics and security, ending with a capstone business case for an industry partner.
University
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Country
Canada
Level
Graduate Diploma
Field
Data Analytics
Duration
2 semesters full-time (one year); part-time evening online option over 3 semesters
Language
English
Campus
Calgary (Main Campus); part-time stream online
Degree
SAIT Post-Diploma Certificate in Data Analytics
Application Deadline
International applicants (SAIT apply page, checked October 11, 2026): Winter 2027 (classes start January 6, 2027) applications close October 30, 2026; Spring 2027 (May 3, 2027) close February 5, 2027; Fall 2027 (September 1, 2027) opened August 4, 2026 with the closing date still to be announced; Winter 2028 opens December 9, 2026. Not every program starts every term and programs can fill or close early, so check SAIT's Available Seats for International Applicants tool before applying. Canadian applicants: Fall 2027 applications close June 30, 2027
Tuition Information
SAIT 2026/27 estimate for international students starting in 2026/27 (program page, tuition plus additional fees at the suggested full-time course load): year 1 CAD 20,724.50 (tuition 18,960 + fees 1,764.50); program total CAD 20,724.50. Canadian students: year 1 CAD 15,372.50; total CAD 15,372.50. Additional fees are SAIT's mandatory student fees (technology, learning support, wellness, career readiness, athletics and recreation, and the UPass transit pass) plus Saitsa student association, health and dental plan fees. SAIT says the program total on an international student's admission letter is a maximum tuition guarantee for the program, so it won't rise in later years. Books and supplies are about CAD 1,000-1,500.
Admission Requirements
- Apply: international applicants apply online through SAIT's Virtual Admissions System and pay a non-refundable CAD 175 application fee; one international application can list up to two programs (a first and a second choice). Applicants educated outside Canada must prove they meet the admission requirements with an international document assessment, and SAIT only assesses an application once every required document is in. Canadian applicants apply through ApplyAlberta (CAD 120 fee).
- Academic: a degree or diploma from a recognized university, institute or college; a mix of education and work experience may be considered with the Academic Chair's approval
- English proficiency (SAIT English proficiency page, required of every applicant): IELTS Academic with 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT taken before January 21, 2026 with at least 20 in each section, or taken on or after January 21, 2026 with 4.5 overall and 4.5 in each section; PTE Academic 53; Duolingo 115 with no subscore below 95; CAEL 60 in each section; Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with 169 in each skill; plus other tests SAIT lists. Test scores must be from within one year of applying. SAIT also accepts, among other proof, at least three years of full-time English-taught study at an English-speaking secondary school, two years of English-taught post-secondary study at a recognized institution, a post-secondary English, literature or communications course passed with a C or better, SAIT's English Language Foundations program, or a recognized partner language-school pathway
- Intakes: the program page and calendar don't list start terms. SAIT's international bundle page offers it in January 2027, May 2027 and Fall 2027 bundles (Data Analytics followed by Integrated Artificial Intelligence, or Object-Oriented Software Development followed by Data Analytics)
- PGWP note: international students should take the full-time on-campus stream; SAIT's calendar says students attending all classes online aren't PGWP eligible
- PGWP: SAIT's program page lists it as accepting international applicants and PGWP eligible (CIP 30.7101), saying it currently meets IRCC's field-of-study requirement. SAIT doesn't guarantee individual eligibility, and IRCC's rules can change