Winter Orientation

Welcome your new community!

Orientation prepares you for life as a U of A student. The U of A community offers online and in-person orientation experiences.

Augustana students, check out your campus orientation.

On this page

Registration steps

Step 1: Register for orientation

When you register for orientation, you receive a personalized in-person orientation schedule of all the programs we recommend you attend.

Orientation registration opens mid-April 2025.

Step 2: Start online orientation

Start learning about your U of A community with online orientation. Each module introduces you to a different aspect of studying at the U of A. Use your CCID to access.

Step 3: Attend in-person orientation events

Get the complete orientation experience; attend in-person events to connect with campus resources and new friends!

Undergraduate Students open in a new tab

New Student Orientation is your welcome to the U of A! Ease your transition to student life by attending presentations, panels and campus tours. Connect with clubs and groups at Week of Welcome’s fair and explore events hosted by the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU).

Graduate Students Orientation

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) supports your graduate journey with academic guidance, professional development, awards, and funding. The Graduate Students’ Association’s (GSA) in-person orientation introduces you to their resources.

International Students Orientation

International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) supports you with programs, events, and resources. Their in-person International Student Orientation events cover everything you need to prepare for life in Canada.

First Peoples' House Orientation

First Peoples’ House welcomes First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students with an orientation program designed to support your academic, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial well-being.

Campus Saint-Jean

Le Campus Saint-Jean te réserve de nombreuses surprises et nous avons très hâte de te rencontrer!

Students living in Residence

Residence orientation introduces you to the tools you need to succeed during the upcoming academic year. It is offered in two streams: BaseCamp for first-year students and Ascent for upper-year and graduate students. Residents are automatically enrolled in BaseCamp or Ascent when they confirm their space in residence.

Dr, Douglas Gross and student ZiYing Lin looking at a new clinical support tool, which helps clinicians treat injured workers by suggesting a course of treatment

Accessibility + Accommodations at the U of A

The U of A offers academic accommodations to eligible students who encounter limitations or restrictions to their ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary level due to medical conditions, including physical and mental conditions and/or non-medical protected grounds.

Take advantage of this support for your first term! Submit your request early to ensure timely verification. Take advantage of this assistance to apply them to your first term. Verification takes time; if you submit later, your accommodations may not be granted in time. Accessibility supports include adaptive technologies, alternate formats, CART/real-time transcribing, sign language interpretation, and other specialist services.

For non-medical: You can access the Student Equity and Accessibility team for non-medical accommodations at any time. Learn more »

Colleges + faculties

This list is for undergraduate students’ faculty orientations only. Graduate students will hear directly from their program about any program-specific orientations.

College of Health Sciences

Advancing the full spectrum of human health and wellness in individuals, families and communities around the world.

College of Natural + Applied Sciences

Advancing the full spectrum of scientific teaching and research to better understand our world, transform technology, sustain the environment and improve lives.

College of Social Sciences + Humanities

Expanding the boundaries of knowledge and understanding to foster a creative, equitable, inclusive, just and democratic society, with opportunity and well-being for all.

Faculty of Native Studies

Educating Indigenous and non-Indigenous students through community engagement, teaching and research focused on the complexity of Indigenous issues and thought.

Native Studies

Week of welcome

Week of Welcome (WOW) Village & MainStage is your hub for games, student clubs, services and live performances. Located in Main Quad, the heart of North Campus, you can explore some of what the university has to offer. There truly is something for everyone! WOW Village takes place in September.

Week of Welcome open in a new tab

U of A students at the WOW Village making 'W' with their hands

Orientation events

Family Orientation

Family Orientation is a program offered by the University of Alberta Students’ Union as part of New Student Orientation. It aims to help new undergraduate students and their parents or guardians transition into the U of A community. This program features service providers from across campus, offering sessions about academics, finances and student life. The sessions give students and families tips and tricks to support one another throughout the transition to university.

Family orientation events open in a new tab

Student Life

TGIGGF: Thank Goodness It’s GREEN+GOLD Fridays

We’re taking our own spin on the classic TGIF! Thank Goodness It’s GREEN+GOLD Fridays are where we celebrate our U of A school spirit and our vibrant community one colourful Friday at a time! Whether it's your favourite green t-shirt, head-to-toe U of A swag or an understated touch of gold with a lapel pin, show your spirit in a way that feels good to you. Subtle or bold, go GREEN+GOLD!

Students chatting around a table with pens and notebooks

YouAlberta

Start reading the YouAlberta blog by students for students to get a slice of what you can expect as a U of A student. The YouAlberta student bloggers know what it’s like to balance study, work and play at the U of A.

Their stories represent everything from the everyday to the extraordinary experiences of U of A students. Topics include mental health, study tips, relationships and all things academic.

Varsity Events

Crowd of fans cheering on the Golden Bears hockey team.

Be the Roar!

The U of A spirit is alive at athletic events. Cheer on your fellow U of A athletes and soak in the school spirit at these varsity games. All current students get access to a free ticket to each of our conference home games! open in a new tab

Follow varsity teams on Instagram: @bearsandpandas open in a new tab and @uab_varsitylife open in a new tab

Audience

Students