Orientation
Welcome to UAlberta and to your new community!
If you have questions or are feeling nervous about what's to come – U of A Orientation programs will answer those questions, calm those fears, and help prepare you for life as a UAlberta student.
The UAlberta community is excited to be offering a virtual Orientation for 2020! We encourage you to register for Orientation 2020 – see below – and to check this page and your UAlberta email account for the latest updates over the summer.
Wondering where to start? Register for Orientation!
You can sign up for the 2020 University of Alberta Orientation experience in one place. The single registration form will guide you through the process and place you in the appropriate programs to best get to know the University of Alberta campus and create a custom experience just for you.
Orientation Programs
1. New Undergraduate Student Orientation
Undergraduate orientation is a great opportunity to learn about university from academic, administrative and social perspectives. New students learn about university procedures, how to integrate into campus life, where classes are, and more through presentations, tours, and activities!
All undergraduate students are encouraged to attend. Registration is free.
Contact orientation@su.ualberta.ca for any questions!
2. Graduate Students
The Graduate Students' Association (GSA) has developed an e-Class to help you learn about the GSA and what it provides for graduate students. You will also learn about the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) and University Services, including those provided by the Office of the Dean of Students, University of Alberta Library, and OneCard.
3. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students
Hosted by First Peoples’ House, Bridges Orientation is for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who are new to the U of A.
Join us as we introduce you to the U of A and provide an overview of the services available to support your physical, mental (academic), emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing.
This year, Bridges Orientation will be held virtually through a combination of self-guided modules in eClass and live sessions via Zoom.
Bridges will be available on eClass starting Monday, August 24. Live sessions will be held August 24 to 27.
4. International Students
Transitions is an orientation program specifically for international students. Through a series of workshops and tours, international students learn about the U of A's academic environment and receive tips on adjusting to life in Canada. Advisors are on-hand to answer all questions and there are several social activities for students to meet people from other countries, make friends, and have fun!
Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to attend. Registration is free.
5. First-year Lister, Peter Lougheed, and Residence Saint-Jean Residents - BaseCamp
BaseCamp is a residence based orientation program specifically designed for first year students living or delaying their arrival into residence to help ease the transition into residence and university life. Residents will have the opportunity to get to know other students in the residence community, familiarize themselves with residence and campus, and be introduced to academic strategies and resources, all before their classes begin.
Residents are automatically enrolled in BaseCamp when they confirm their space in residence.
Students will have access to their BaseCamp Schedule through Expedition: Connect as of August 17.
6. East Campus Residences - Eastern Ascent
Eastern Ascent is the Residence Services upper-year student Orientation program specifically designed for students living in our East Campus residences or students who have had to delay their arrival into one of these residences. Eastern Ascent was implemented to enable residents to become comfortable in their new living environment, develop peer connections and become better oriented to the Edmonton community and UAlberta campus upon move-in. Eastern Ascent focuses on providing residents with the chance to explore and develop a sense of citizenship within the Edmonton community and establish a strong support system in residence prior to the start of Fall Term Classes. This year, Eastern Ascent will be primarily online and delivered through our Expedition: Connect virtual program.
Residents are automatically enrolled in Eastern Ascent when they confirm to live in residence or delay their arrival into residence.
7. Faculty Orientations
Faculty of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Science
Your Faculty will reach out to you through your ualberta email address regarding Faculty specific orientation programming. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email questions.ales@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is excited to welcome its new students and plans are being finalized for our own Arts Orientation. Check back in early August for full details. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email arts.recruiting@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Business
The Business Faculty session will take place virtually via Zoom on Friday, August 28. Registration details will be sent to all New BCom students in early August. Please continue to check your UAlberta email for updates. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email ugradbus@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Education
Your Faculty will reach out to you through your ualberta email address regarding Faculty specific orientation programming. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email edevents@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Engineering
Your Faculty will reach out to you through your ualberta email address regarding Faculty specific orientation programming.
Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
Your Faculty will reach out to you through your ualberta email address regarding Faculty specific orientation programming. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email ksr.info@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Native Studies
Join us for the Faculty of Native Studies' Virtual Orientation 2020, where you can get an introduction to all things Native Studies. Meet other new FNS students, hear from current students, and learn all about campus life, student services, and how to have a successful first term. Plus, you can enter to win a FNS prize pack! In the meantime, if you have any questions please email nsrecruitment@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Nursing
Your Faculty will reach out to you through your ualberta email address regarding Faculty specific orientation programming. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email nursing.studentadvisor@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Science
We invite you to spend a small portion of your morning with us, this is your chance to learn about your new faculty and meet other students. Sessions will cover key dates, labs and classes, your degree, where to go for help, plus much more and will end with breakout sessions where you will meet the faces of your specific program. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email science.recruiting@ualberta.ca.
8. Professional Programs
New students in professional programs will receive information about orientation events directly from the Faculty unless otherwise noted.
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
If you have any questions about orientation programming, please contact the Office of Advocacy & Wellbeing at oawadmin@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine holds mandatory orientation programming for new students in the Faculty. Please refer to your program-specific orientation information. If you did not receive this information via email, please contact frminfo@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Law
Mandatory incoming student orientation for the Faculty of Law is on September 8, 2020. Information about this programming will be communicated to students directly from the Faculty. If you have any questions, please contact law.studentlife@ualberta.ca.
School of Public Health
If you have questions about orientation programming, please contact sph.programs@ualberta.ca.
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The date for the new Pharmacy student orientation will be August 26th, 2020 for the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences led orientation (live program delivered via Zoom from 0930-1200) and August 27th, 2020 for the Alberta Pharmacy Students' Association led orientation (live program delivered via Zoom, Time TBA.) Formal invitations and the orientation agenda will be extended to successful candidates, in conjunction with our offer of admission. For more information, please contact phstud@ualberta.ca.
9. Campus St. Jean
Your Faculty will reach out to you through your ualberta email address regarding Faculty specific orientation programming. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email lacentrale@ualberta.ca.
10. Augustana Campus
New Students Start Here on the MyUAlberta App Augustana Campus experience.