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.
On this page
Registration Steps | Accessibility + Accommodation | Colleges + Faculties | Week of Welcome | Orientation Events | Student Life | Varsity Events
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
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 your new community and the supports it offers to help you thrive. 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. Residents living at Résidence Saint-Jean will attend orientation programming at both Campus Saint-Jean and North Campus and in a mixture of French and English.
Accessibility + Accommodations at the U of A
The U of A offers academic accommodations to eligible students who encounter restrictions to their ability to pursue post-secondary studies due to medical conditions, including physical and mental conditions and/or non-medical protected grounds.
Register early so that you are ready to take in your full academic experience. Available accommodation supports include adaptive technologies, alternate formats, CART/real-time transcribing, sign language interpretation, and other specialist services. 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) is your first-week celebration! From free pancakes every morning to Clubs Fair and games at WOW Village to live music on the MainStage, there is truly something for everyone. WOW events take place in Main Quad, Celebration Plaza and the Students' Union Building during the first week of classes every September.
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.
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!
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
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!
Follow varsity teams on Instagram: @bearsandpandas and @uab_varsitylife
Students
Involvement