These activities and events will help you build your community, meet your first university friends, learn more about campus life, and get ready for your first day in September!Ìý

Jump Start at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ OkanaganÌý

 will help you discover campus life and your new community, learn about opportunities, and connect with other students. This flexible multi-day orientation is a great way to make friends before the first day of term through fun social activities and educational workshops.

Jump Start at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Okanagan is a free and flexible conference-style program, offering dozens of sessions, events, and socials over several days to help you get to know your new campus,ÌýmeetÌýnew students,Ìýlearn about campus resources,Ìýand set yourself up for success.ÌýÌý

Build your own personalized orientation experienceÌýby selecting the social activities, academic workshops, and information sessions that suit your own interests and transition needs.ÌýÌýThroughout Jump Start, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô remain connected to your Orientation Leader and your group and have the free time that you need to access campus services, go to the Bookstore,Ìývisit the Hangar Fitness Centre, grab a coffee with your new pals, or takeÌýaÌýwell deserved break.Ìý By getting the essentialsÌýchecked off your list,Ìý²â´Ç³Ü’l±ôÌýhave more time to focus on what matters on your first day. Ìý

Who should take part

All new-to-ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ OkanaganÌýundergraduateÌýandÌýgraduateÌýstudents, includingÌýstudents attendingÌýdirect from high school, transfer,ÌýandÌýGo GlobalÌýstudents.

Dates and deadlinesÌý

Jump Start at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Okanagan runs fromÌýSeptember 3ÌýtoÌýSeptember 7. Residence students may move in onÌýSeptember 2. Ìý

You will need to register for Jump Start to get access to our Jump Start app which you will use to build and view your own personal program scheduleÌý— register by June 15 to be entered into a prize draw for your chance to win one of five $50 gift cards from the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Bookstore.  

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Academic EssentialsÌý

Academic Essentials is an online program designed to help prepare you for success as you transition to university. The program offers four courses: University Learning in the Age of AI,ÌýReading and Writing at University,ÌýReadiness for University Mathematics, andÌýLive Well to Learn Well. You can choose to take one course, a few, or all four depending on your interests and goals.ÌýÌý

Each course is offered online in a self-paced, self-directed format and is supported by facilitators who are current ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ undergraduate students. Along the way, they will help guide you through the course material, share their own first-year experiences, and offer practical tips for academic success.Ìý

Together, the Academic Essentials courses will help you build academic skills, strengthen your confidence and readiness for university, connect you with learning and wellness resources, and prepare you for today’s evolving learning environment, including the growing presence of AI in education.Ìý

Who should take partÌý

All incoming first-year students to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver are encouraged to participate.Ìý

Dates and deadlinesÌý

Academic Essentials runs from July 6 to August 14.  Registration opens June 8.

Jump Start at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ VancouverÌý

Jump Start at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver is a three-day orientation program designed to give you a first look at university life, let you meet your professors and academic community, and help you make your first university friends at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver.Ìý

You can take part in Jump Start’s commuter stream or residence stream, depending on whether ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô be living on- or off-campus in your first term. In both streams, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô enjoy scheduled group events with your classmates, as well as sessions and offerings you can take part in at your own pace. You’ll be assigned to a learning community which will be led by two upper-year students and a faculty fellow. Together, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô take part in fun activities like trivia nights, sports, dance tutorials, and art activities, as well as opportunities to explore campus and learn how to successfully transition from high school student to university scholar.Ìý

Who should take partÌý

All first-year students coming to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver from high school are encouraged to participate.Ìý

Dates and deadlinesÌý

Jump Start at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver runs from September 2 to September 4, and Jump Start move-in day for residence students is on September 1.

Registration closes July 2.

Imagine ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½Ìý

is an exciting full-day event that welcomes new students to the campus community and helps them get acquainted with university life. For most students, Imagine ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ replaces the first day of classes. If you are a first-year student, you will have the chance to meet other students in your faculty, your Dean, and some of your future professors. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn about support services available on campus and get introduced to hundreds of student clubs and groups to help you make friends and get involved. If you are coming to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ from another university or college, Imagine ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ is also for you! By participating in Imagine, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô be able to make connections that will help kick start your ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ experience.Ìý

Who should take partÌý

All first year, transfer, and returning undergraduate students coming to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver are encouraged to participate.Ìý

Dates and deadlinesÌý

Imagine ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ happens on September 8. There is no need to register.Ìý

In late August, every first-year student will receive an email outlining their detailed Imagine Day schedule.Ìý

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Obtaining your study permit and waiting for it to be approved can be frustrating. To help you, here are some tips from students who have been through the study permit application process.

Tips for a smooth study permit application process

Use official websites only. And celebrate every step of the way.

“Think of your application like assembling a perfect sandwich – every essential layer in place, no crumbs left behind. Passport? Layer one. Acceptance letter? Layer two. Financial proof? Layer three. Stack it all up, then double-check your masterpiece.

Start early, like way early! The earlier you apply, the smoother it’ll be. Plus, if something weird pops up, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô have time to fix it.

Use the official websites only! Sure, those third-party services promise magic and speed, but trust me, the official Government of Canada site is where you want to be. Avoid scams, avoid extra fees.

Hit ‘submit’? Do a happy dance. Got the acknowledgment? Take a moment to smile. Those tiny celebrations keep your sanity intact.”

– Bhavya J., fifth year Psychology and International Relations student

Use ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½â€™s International Student Guide.

“Read everything carefully and double check the documents ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð submitting. Applying for a study permit can seem like a long process and sometimes it is, but be patient and make sure that you are submitting the documents ³Ù³ó±ð²â’r±ð asking for. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ has an International Student Guide which was very helpful to me and always a good resource to look into. For me, it was helpful to make a list of things I had to do when moving to Canada, so: applying for a study permit, applying for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP for health insurance), applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), etc. Staying organized is so helpful to keep track of all your to-dos!”

– Miwa K., fifth year Media Studies student

Make sure your documents don’t expire soon.

“If I could give my past-self advice about study permits, I would say to ensure your documents do not expire soon. Study permits usually allow students to study until they graduate, but if the documents that you use to apply for your study permit expire before you graduate, your study permit will only extend to that expiry date. My passport expired before I expected to graduate from ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, which meant my study permit expired at the same time. I had to reapply for another study permit after I renewed my passport, and that process took a lot of time and required another fee. All of that would have been avoided if my passport was renewed before applying for my original permit.”

– Kodi B., fourth year Bioeconomy Sciences and Technologies student

Stay organized.

“Applying for a study permit can feel overwhelming, but staying organized truly makes all the difference. Make sure to apply early, if possible, ideally as soon as you receive your Letter of Acceptance from ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ and make your decisions. Also double-check document requirements as it might be different depending on the country, and be mindful of processing times in your country. Using the IRCC’s official website is key and there are useful guides to check out on the website as well, and don’t hesitate to reach out to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½â€™s International Student Advising for guidance. Keep digital and printed copies of all documents, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô thank yourself later!”

– Nusaibah H., fourth year Economics and Statistics student

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One option is to take , where ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô get a predesigned course schedule for your first year and take nearly all of your classes with the same people.

What is Science One?

Science One is a first-year program that integrates Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. The program focuses on the connections between disciplines and highlights the interdisciplinary nature of science, while teaching both the foundational content and the tools and approaches of modern scientific research — within a single, 28-credit course.

Why should you choose Science One?

Science OneÌýoffersÌýan immersiveÌýlearningÌýexperience and a solidÌýfoundation for yourÌýundergraduate education.ÌýIt also makes the transition from high school to university smoother with standard timetables, coordinated assignment schedules, a set space in the library to study, and support from a community of students and faculty. All Science One teachers attend each other’s classes to dynamically shape your curriculum, and ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô share your own work and study space with your instructors.

Because Science One takes a select number of students, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô find yourself spending a lot of time with your cohort, which will help you make friends. You’ll also be taught by a select number of professors who will decide together what will be on the curriculum each week and how the disciplines will interact – meaning that ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô make close personal connections with your profs. There will also be the opportunity to take part in peer-group workshops or field trips.

Is Science One right for you?

Science One can be challenging. It has a competitive application process, and teaches first-year science at one of the highest levels at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ to a tight-knit group of students. Its extended timetable makes it an intense program, but stimulating and rewarding at the same time. You’ll be one of just 75 individuals, and will be supported by nine instructors, offering you an excellent student-to-professor ratio of 8:1. You’ll also take part in weekly tutorials, learn from guest lecturers, and have extra instruction in science literacy and computer programming. The curriculum includes mentorship on two major research projects – the results of which can be published in undergraduate journals – and ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô attend student conferences and field trips.

Science One is also a social experience. You’ll help elect student representatives to sit in on the Science One student council and the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS), and take part in alumni-led mentorship and social activities such as the Winter Formal and Pie Day events.

How to apply

If you want to take part in Science One, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô need toÌýÌýat the same time or shortly after youÌý’s Bachelor of Science degree, as registration opened on November 1, 2025. You are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be assessed in the order ³Ù³ó±ð²â’r±ð received. Applications received after April 30 may be considered, but not with the same priority as those before that date.

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If you have been accepted into the Forestry or Land and Food Systems faculties, you are eligible to apply for theÌýÌýstudy option.

What is Land One?

Land One includes a selection of core courses in Biology, Economics, Math, and English, as well as an integrative seminar. You’ll take all of these key classes with a maximum of 50 to 60 other students. You will also take part in a seminar, where ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô enjoy hands-on experiences, build relationships with your instructors, and learn how to solve the problems that are negatively impacting our land.

Why should you choose a first-year study option?

If ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð looking to make new friends from your first day, Land One could be the right path for you. You’ll benefit from smaller class sizes in select courses and your seminar group, a dedicated study space, and low student-to-instructor ratios. Also, you will get to participate in experiential learning opportunities such as field trips and other hands-on activities.

Is Land One right for you?

To take part in Land One, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô need to take all of the classes required for the program, which will provide you with 17 credits that can be applied to meet your program requirements. On top of that, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô have time to choose additional courses in your first year that help you meet your program requirements and build your own educational path.

Land One’s seminar course covers a range of issues related to land use, climate change, food security, and sustainability. Much of your time will be spent discussing and addressing how to solve these problems. You’ll also take part in some hands-on activities, such as a visit the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Farm to learn more about sustainable food systems and a two-day field trip to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½â€™s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, where ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô experience the coastal old-growth rainforest first-hand.

If ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð in Forestry, Land One is particularly useful if you have enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources or the Bachelor of Urban Forestry. It is a particularly good fit for the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources.

If ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð in Land and Food Systems, ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð eligible for enrolment in Land One if ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð taking a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health, or a Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics . Land One is also a good fit if you plan to apply in second year to the Global Resource Systems program.

How to apply

Applications to Land One are now open and the deadline is May 15,Ìý2026. Once you have been accepted into your Forestry or Land and Food Systems degree program, you will need toÌýÌýthrough Land One’s website. As part of the process, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô be asked to write a letter of intent (500 words maximum) explaining why you want to join the Land One cohort. Land One is limited by size, so apply early!

Enrolment in the study option may require additional high school courses not required for admission, so it’s important toÌýÌýonline.

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There are three ways to shape your first year in the Faculty of Arts. Ìýand theÌý offer curated course schedules, where ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô take most of your classes with the same group of students—helping you build connections with peers and professors from the start. These programs provide a more structured, interdisciplinary learning experience with built-in academic support, making them a great way to transition into university. You can also choose to create a Custom Timetable, selecting individual courses and building your own schedule.

What are Arts One and CAP?

Arts One and CAP allow students to study together in small seminars (up to 25 people) and larger lectures (up to 200 people). Each brings courses and ideas together across different disciplines – for example literature, history, psychology, economics, and philosophy – by focusing on a shared topic or theme.

Both programs are worth 18 credits, but you can take up to 12 additional credits (2 classes each semester) to explore other subjects ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð interested in.

Why should you choose Arts One or CAP?

Arts One and CAP will help ease your transition from high school to university by offering:

• A pre-selected timetable — most of your first-year requirements are included, so you don’t have to worry about picking courses to fulfil your degree requirements
• Coordinated assignment deadlines, which means your major assignments won’t overlap or cause too much stress
• Dedicated academic support with program-specific advisors who are there to help you throughout your first year
• Access to exclusive study spaces where you can connect with your classmates and professors

The small-group format makes it easier to form friendships and build a sense of community, while close interaction with your professors helps you build personal connections and sets you up for a variety of degree pathways across different disciplines.

What’s the difference between Arts One and CAP?

Arts One

Arts One is a single, integrated course led by five instructors who work together to create the assignments and a reading list centred on a shared theme. The program is capped at 100 students, and then divided into five seminars each with up to 20 students. You will also meet regularly in smaller groups to present and discuss the papers ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð writing, offering a more personalized way to refine your work and ideas.

Rather than taking six separate one-term courses, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô take one cohesive course with multiple components that let you approach the materials from a variety of perspectives.

You’ll explore classical and contemporary texts from novels and philosophical writings to political texts, films, drama, and graphic novels to discuss their impacts on culture and society. The professors will take turns giving the weekly lectures, and ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô work closely with one instructor who leads your seminars and tutorials each week.

CAP

In CAP, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô get to choose from one ofÌý, each offering a different combination of courses from across the Faculty of Arts. This year’s streams are: Environment and Society, Individual and Society, Law and Society, Media Studies, and Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE).

While courses in your CAP stream are separate, the faculty members work together to make sure the themes and concepts you study in each course are connected. They also coordinate the timing of major assignments and tests within your CAP courses, helping make your core workload more manageable, (deadlines for elective courses are set independently).

Like Arts One, CAP offers smaller classes than you will find if you choose a Custom Timetable, with seminar-style courses typically having 25 students, and lectures having up to 200 students.

How to register

Registration for both Arts One and CAP is first-come, first-served. Both programs simplify the process by offering easy-to-use forms on their websites, or you can register directly in Workday when first-year registration opens in June. Find out more about and on their websites.

Looking for more information? Read what it’s like to be an and a and why students chose each program.

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