Pre-Arrival Guide
ESSENTIALS
As an international student, you must apply for a study permit to be able to study in Canada legally. Remember, don’t let your study permit expire!
Depending on your country of origin and program of study, you may also need to obtain documents other than your study permit. These may include co-op work permit, temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA). Please check out the International Student Centre’s resources on immigration documents for more information and instruction.
As you are ready to pack your suitcases and fly to Canada, make sure that you have the required travel documents for custom regulations with you.
Another thing to keep in mind is to learn about your Health Insurance. International students are covered by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Make sure that you understand how your healthcare and medical treatments are covered by UHIP.
TUITION FEES & ONLINE PAYMENT
Your tuition fee will be posted on your ACORN account. Follow the instructions on ACORN to complete the payment. Refer to this guide if you need help using ACORN.
If you are making a payment from outside of Canada, please refer to this outside-of-Canada payment guide.
If you must your first-year tuition fees before they are billed (Fall-Winter session fees are billed in mid-July) as part of a student visa application process (e.g. Student Direct Stream program), the estimated tuition fee amount will be displayed on your admissions offer and on the Finances card on the ACORN dashboard
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that you’re vaccinated for specific illnesses as a visitor to Canada.
If you can’t get immunized before arriving in Canada, please visit UTSC Health & Wellness Centre when you arrive. The Health & Wellness Centre provides many medical services including immunization and vaccines.
HOW TO SELECT YOUR COURSES
Before the start of your academic year, it is important that you plan and select your courses. Depending on your program and year of study, you will be assigned a start time for course selection. Your start time for enrolment will be posted on your ACORN account in early July. Learn more about course enrolment through the Registrar's Office. If you have questions regarding course enrolment, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
HOUSING OPTIONS
Finding a place to stay is another important task to do. For international students, the most common housing options are:
- Living in residence
- Finding off-campus housing
Finding accommodation can be challenging, especially for first-time seekers. If you need assistance with housing, please visit The Student Housing & Residence Life. The Student Housing & Residence provides support for both residence applications and off-campus housing search.
UTORID & STUDENT NUMBER
Your UTORid is an 8-character, alphanumeric identification that allows you to access various U of T online programs and services. Your student number is a 10-digit number, and is your U of T student ID.
Both your student number and your UTORid are printed on your TCard. You won’t be able to get your TCard until you’re physically on campus, but you can get a UTORid, email address and virtual TCard by appointment.
Once you activate your UTOR email address, U of T will ONLY communicate with you through this email.
Visit the TCard website for detailed instructions.
ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS
Throughout your studies at U of T, you will be using various online tools. Most of the time, you will use Quercus, an integrated tool for teaching and learning. Check out Quercus Quick Guide to find out how to use this online learning tool.
If you are taking online or hybrid courses, check out Getting Ready for Online Learning for tips and strategies to succeed in online learning.
ACADEMIC SUPPORTS
You may find the academic culture at U of T to be intensively demanding, especially during the transition into a totally new learning and living environment. UTSC offers a wide range of resources and services to assist you in your academic journey:
- Registrar’s Office: Your main source of academic and financial advising
- Academic Deadline: Keep track of important academic, registration, graduation and course enrolment deadlines
- Academic Advising and Career Centre (AA&CC): A place for students who are seeking for academic advising, study skills, career planning and employment coaching
- Centre of Teaching and Learning (CTL): The centre offer Academic Learning Support in language development, reading and writing skills, and many other disciplines
PREPARE FOR TORONTO’S CLIMATE
Toronto’s climate has significant changes between seasons, ranging from as high as 35° C in the summer, to as low as –20° C during the winter. Make sure that you dress accordingly for the weather.
Summer (June-late September.): lightweight and breathable clothing (e.g cotton), a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the Sun
Fall (late Sept.-Nov.) and Spring (March-May): sweaters and a lightweight waterproof coat
Winter (Dec.-Feb.): a good winter coat, boots, hats and gloves to keep yourself warm.
If you don’t come from a location where you experience a winter similar to Canada, we recommend that you wait and purchase your winter clothes here.
CAMPUS SAFETY & GETTING AROUND TORONTO
It is essential to familiarize yourself with safety services so that you know how to ensure your safety and wellbeings.
UTSC offer safety services that are available on campus:
- Campus Safety: The department provides services that support and promote a safe, secure and equitable environment for all students, staff, faculty and visitors.
- Community Safety Office: This Tri-Campus services provides short-term support and assistance to students, staff, and faculty members of the University of Toronto community who have experienced personal safety concerns
- Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre: The centre supports students, staff, and faculty affected by sexual violence and sexual harassment regardless of who was involved and when or where the sexual violence took place.
- A list of emergency and non-emergency numbers both on and off-campus
It is also handful to install UofT Telus app on your mobiles to access immediate counseling support in 146 languages.
There are a few common ways to get around Toronto:
- Toronto Transit Commission (TTC): A system of buses, streetcars and subways. Learn more about reduced student fares and Presto cards
- By bike (Tangerine), rideshare services (e.g Uber, Lyft), or taxi
- Driving: learn how to get a new license or exchange your license
- GO Transit if you are headed outside the city of Toronto
FAMILY SUPPORT
If you are coming to Canada with your children, connect with U of T’s Family Care Office for all the info and support you may need. You can also check out this online community for student parents. Moreover, UTSC also offers Family Support for Graduate and Postgraduate students.
WHAT TO PACK & BRING WITH YOU
As you are packing your luggage, make sure that you pack all your essential documents with you. Make copies of your important documents and carry the originals with you in your carry-on luggage:
- Passport with Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (if required)
- Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Don’t forget to show this to get your Study Permit at the airport!
- Letter of Acceptance from the University of Toronto
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada
- Immunization record
- Provincial Attestation Letter
If you will be living in residence, check out What to bring by Student Housing & Residence Life for recommended items for your room and daily life.