Prepare for U of A
Welcome to the U of A! Use this checklist to navigate the essential steps from admission to your first week on campus.
AFTER YOU CONFIRM ADMISSION
As a U of A student, you are responsible for:
- Maintaining legal immigration status
- Registering for courses
- Monitoring deadlines, University Calendar
- Checking your @ualberta email regularly
- Understanding university policies and expectations outlined in the Code of Student Behaviour.
All official university communication will be sent to your @ualberta.ca account. You will receive the International Students Digest every Wednesday via email. Set it up now to ensure you don't miss critical updates.
You need a study permit if your program is longer than six months. Processing times vary by country. Apply as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to avoid delays.
Pay your tuition deposit (if applicable) to register for your courses.
You are responsible for course registration and any changes to your registration. If you decide not to attend the university, you must cancel your class registration to avoid the tuition charges.
Graduate, incoming exchange, and IVSP students are exempt from paying the tuition deposit.
Exchange students; Programs and Courses
Graduate students should consult with their supervisors and departments for course registration information.
Even after you are enrolled in courses, you can still change your schedule before the add/drop deadline. Refer to the University Calendar.
Pay attention to the term registration and payment deadlines to avoid late fees or problems with your course registration.
Choose between the convenience of on-campus residence or the independence of off-campus living. Book temporary housing between your arrival and move-in dates.
Plan to arrive in Edmonton around 2 weeks before to settle into your new home, meet with the International Service Centre team, and explore the University and the city. The academic schedule lets you know when classes begin. Book your flight and accommodations based on that date. Consider Travel insurance.
If you are living in a campus residence, check your move-in date. Follow the instructions sent to your Ualberta email address to register for your move-in time. It is best to arrive before your first day of class. You can move in the same day and take advantage of the orientation atmosphere.
Flights are often delayed, so a same-day arrival and move-in plan is not recommended and often is not possible.
If you plan to live off-campus, arrive a few days earlier to allow time to find a suitable place to live. Most rental agreements start on the 1st of each month, and it’s always good to be settled before classes begin.
Online Orientation consists of modules and is a self-paced Canvas course accessible through Bear Tracks with your CCID. Each module contains valuable information on the unique aspects of student life at the U of A. You have the freedom and flexibility to complete each module on your own time.
Before you travel
You can do some financial planning before you leave home.
- Decide on your banking arrangements.
- A currency exchange service is usually available at the airport from 4:30 a.m. to midnight.
- Bring $200 to $300 in Canadian cash to cover expenses for your first few days.
- Have an emergency plan in place and extra money (cash and credit) in case of an emergency. We recommend that you have enough money to cover at least your first month’s expenses, often around $3,000 for a single student. This is for costs such as paying an extra month’s rent as a security deposit and purchasing warm clothing, textbooks and supplies, furniture, and household items.
- Organize your financial documents. You may need to provide evidence of adequate funds for customs and immigration officials.
- If you plan to pay your tuition and fees from an international account, remember to initiate the payment well before the term deadlines because international payments take several business days to process. Failure to pay or late payment could result in late payment charges or interest and could mean that the university will withhold your grades, impacting your ability to graduate.
Do not put original documents in your checked luggage. Carry all documents, including valuable papers, cash, and traveler's cheques with you at all times.
When packing your bags, remember that Edmonton’s climate may not be what you’re used to at home. In the summer, daytime temperatures range from 20 to 25°C; in the winter, temperatures can drop below -30°C.
Winter clothing is quite bulky, so it's important to account for this if you're planning to pack it in your luggage. Buy your winter clothing after you arrive in Edmonton unless you are arriving from a similar climate and have winter clothing. Canadian winter clothing is insulated to handle Canadian winters.
Pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses, along with a copy of your prescription. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medication you take.
Under no circumstances should a student come to Canada without satisfying all of the Student Visa Requirements. Review the current travel information provided by the Government of Canada.
When you arrive
When you land at any Canadian airport, a border services officer will examine your travel documents and identification card. You may be asked a series of questions to determine your immigration status, the nature of any goods you are bringing with you, etc. Present your documents and get your permit.
Getting to Edmonton North Campus
- Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport.
- Rideshares (Uber, Lyft)
- Public Transportation
Getting to Camrose Augustana Campus
- Taxi
- Shuttle service
All new international students can receive a transportation discount voucher to help cover the taxi fare from the airport to their accommodation. The voucher is valid only for taxi rides and not for rideshare.
First Things To Do After Arrival
Visit the International Service Centre to complete your campus check-in. The ISVS Team and senior peers can answer all your questions and guide you through these first steps. Attend in-person orientation, open a bank account and set up a phone plan, obtain a social insurance number, and learn about your health insurance coverage.
Arc Cards can be purchased at participating retailers listed on the myarc.ca website. Arc Card is a reloadable transit card used to pay for public transportation, including buses and LRT through Edmonton Transit Service.
Register your card in the U-Pass App. U-Pass is a discounted transit pass for students, included in your fees (if eligible). Gives you unlimited transit access during the term.
Learn more about the U-Pass program
Medical care in Canada is expensive without coverage. Apply for Alberta Health Care or University health care insurance as soon as you arrive.
Get a government ID card if you do not have a driver's license.
Update your emergency contact information. Emergency contacts are loved ones, such as a parent, spouse, or trusted friend who should personally know you. Your emergency contact will be notified if something happens to you.
Do not put yourself as your emergency contact. It is best to have at least two emergency contacts.
- First Contact: This should be a family member in your home country, preferably, someone who speaks English.
- Second contact: This should be a backup person in case your first contact cannot be reached. Your second contact can be located in or outside of Canada, but they should be someone who can quickly get in touch with your immediate family and friends. This way, your contacts can work together, or if one is unavailable, the other can take charge.
Your emergency contact should also have access to your other family members or close friends, who may want to know if you are in a health crisis. Does your emergency contact feel comfortable reaching out to your circle of loved ones? Do they have their phone numbers available for quick access? Will they know who you want to contact? Make sure your emergency contact is someone easy to get a hold of and is available.
You can open your bank account during international student orientation on campus. A representative from the bank will describe available services and help you choose the account that best meets your needs.