Checklist

Here are some tips to help you get a head-start in preparing for University life at U of T.

1. Get to know us

Get to know the friendly faces at your registrar’s and learn more about student services and campus life. You can also peruse our A-Z list and pick up some “U of T speak” with this Glossary of U of T Terms. 

2. Finalize your offer of admission

If your offer of admission was conditional, be sure to submit your official final documents to Enrolment Services by the deadline shown on your offer of admission letter.   You’ll find a copy of your offer lettter on your JOIN U of T page.

3. Apply for a study permit (international students only)

 If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will need a study permit which is issued by the Canadian government. Apply for your study permit as soon as you receive an offer of admission. You can find answers to frequently asked questions here.

 Our International Centres at each campus are offering webinars students on applying for a study permit for the first time:

NOTE: The IRCC has updated study permit processing times for study permit applications submitted outside of Canada to 13 weeks. Students can check the processing times to find out how long it takes to process most applications. Students from Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, The Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or Vietnam are also eligible to use the Student Direct Stream (SDS).   

Students can direct questions to the University’s immigration advisors:

4. Get your TCard, UTORid and UTmail+ account

If you’re in town, skip the fall lineup and get your TCard early.  While you’re at it, take minute to activate your UTORid and set up UTmail+. When the first day of school arrives, you can also use your UTORid to log in to the Learning Portal.

5. Sign up for Emergency Alerts at UTAlert

Get notification of on-campus emergencies directly by text, phone and email.

6. Find a mentor

Want to get inspired and motivated by an experienced upper-year student? A mentor can help guide you and challenge you to do your best.  Find a mentorship program.

7. Check out the library system

Get to know the impressive U of T library system.  You’ll have access to 44 libraries across all 3 campuses, with a wide variety of study spaces to suit your needs, as well as over 12 million volumes in 341 languages, 1,500,000 electronic resources, 28,000 linear metres of archival material and 500 terabytes of data.

8. Get a meal plan

Planning to eat on campus, but not living in residence? Getting a meal plan saves you money, and you can pay with your TCard. Find information about meal plans on the St. George, Scarborough or Mississauga campus.

9. Get your bearings and plan your commute

You don’t have to wait until September to find your way around. Plan your routes early with U of T campus maps. Be sure to select your campus at the top right of the page. You can also find out about transit discounts for the TTC or GO Transit through your student union – UTSU (St. George), SCSU (Scarborough), or UTMSU (Mississauga).

10. Register for academic accommodation

If you have a disability, whether ongoing or temporary, register early with your campus accessibility office – Accessibility Services (St. George), AccessAbility Services (UTSC) or AccessABILITY Resource Centre (UTM).

11. Explore life outside the classroom

Learning at U of T doesn’t end in the classroom. There are many ways you can get involved on campus to upgrade your skills and find the people and activities that matter to you. Find out more about Student Services & Campus Life at U of T.