Your First Year: Frequently Asked Questions

A: To pass an individual course, you need 50% in that course. However, at U of T Engineering we also review students’ weighted session average at the end of every semester, and this average should ideally be 60% or higher. Here are some ways to learn more:

• Check out this video in the First Year Hub on the promotion regulations (UTORid login required).
• Read the full details about first-year academic regulations and options in the 2020-2021 Academic Regulations & T-Program Information Sheet (PDF).
• You can also read the full promotion regulations in the Academic Calendar.
• To check your progress, complete a Grades Assessment Chart (PDF) (you can also find an interactive grades spreadsheet and how-to video in the First Year Hub).

Do you have questions or concerns? Talk to your Academic Advisor.

Learn more about how averages are calculated.

A: If needed, it is possible to drop a winter semester course without academic penalty up until March 15, 2021. To do so, you must meet with your Academic Advisor.

Usually, the course will be pushed to your summer semester (May-June).

If you wish to drop a course after the above deadline, please review the Late Withdrawal policy, and check for any relevant updates in the U of T Engineering Undergraduate FAQs.

Petitions for Special Consideration are also available for students experiencing unforeseen difficulties. If you have any questions about your options, please reach out to the First Year Office.

A: Summer courses require separate per-course tuition charges. Fee amounts, when confirmed, will be posted on the Student Accounts website.

U of T Engineering undergraduate courses will be delivered remotely in the 2021 Summer Session. The remote access guarantee remains in place for all students. Find out more about summer courses in the Current Undergraduates FAQs.

A: There are a few ways to make an appointment* with your advisor!

• Use our online booking system through the Engineering Student Portal.
• If you have any difficulty booking online, or you have an urgent inquiry and would like to see if a same-day appointment is available, you can also contact the First Year Office through Live Chat or by phone for assistance.
• Or, you can email your advisor directly with your availability.

*All appointments will be held through MS Teams or by phone until further notice.

A: Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If something unexpected and beyond your control prevents you from fulfilling your academic responsibilities, you can file a Petition for Term Work.

The University’s Health & Wellness Centre provides a range of health services for your physical and mental health, wellness programs and information to help support you.

A: The University’s Health & Wellness Centre has a medical clinic that includes both general medical and mental health practitioners. They also offer a range of wellness workshops and online information. During the COVID-19 pandemic, services are being offered virtually.

Students have extended health coverage through the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU) for dental care, psychological services, and other benefits. For international students, visit CIE’s web page on health coverage.

Free, confidential 24/7 counselling support in multiple languages is available to all U of T students through the My Student Support Program.

There are also many other mental health programs and services available, which you can explore in this comprehensive Student Mental Health Resource.

A: Generally, academic probation is a warning status that comes into effect when a student has a sessional average of less than 60%.

There are several different scenarios for students on probation, so your status will depend upon your previous academic standing, what your average is, and whether you have failed any courses (and if so, how many).

The full details about probation and the promotion regulations are contained in the Academic Calendar (under “Academic Regulations,” “Promotion Regulations”), and are also explained in the 2020-2021 T-Program Information Sheet (PDF).

If you are concerned about your grades, contact the First Year Office to make an appointment with an academic advisor.

A: The T-Program, or Transition Program, allows first-year students who have struggled in the fall session to repeat up to three fall courses during the winter session and defer up to three courses to the summer session in order to obtain credit for their fall courses and proceed to the second year on schedule with their classmates.

Students with a fall session average between 50-60% and who have failed one or more courses are eligible for the T-Program. More information is in the 2020-2021 T-Program Information Sheet (PDF).

Since all first-year engineering classes in the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Terms are being offered online (for updates on this, please refer to the latest updates from the Dean of U of T Engineering), the University recommends you acquire a personal computer to support your learning needs. While a suitable system may be Windows- or macOS-based, a laptop can offer you additional flexibility. A personal computer will also allow you to access any software required for your classes. Please visit www.uoft.me/techspecs for recommendations.

When on St. George campus, the Engineering Computing Facility (ECF) provides 24/7 in-person and remote access to computers within U of T Engineering.

A: Please visit U of T Student Accounts for detailed information. Tuition invoices were posted to ACORN accounts in July.

In our experience, for students within Canada, the easiest way to pay is an online bank payment. Your account number with U of T is on your invoice in the "Financial Account" section of your ACORN account. U of T does not mail invoices.

Additional information is available in the Guide to First Year.

A: For information regarding on and off-campus housing, please visit the U of T Housing Services website.

You can also find updates regarding campus residences in the University's COVID-19 Information for Students Living in Residence FAQs.

A: The University of Toronto’s Centre for International Experience (CIE) has a number of pre- and post-arrival resources for international students.

The Office of the Vice-Provost, Students is also regularly updating an FAQ page for international students that addresses important questions relating to immigration, travel, quarantine, visas and other details.

We also encourage you to read emails sent to you by your First Year Advisor, Intercultural Learning & Experience, including our International Student Welcome Guide.

A: The Centre for International Experience (CIE) provides services specifically designed for international students.

The CIE has also prepared this helpful web page about getting your study permit.

A: Academic accommodations are provided when students experience disability-related barriers that prohibit demonstration of their knowledge and skills.

These accommodations are provided through Accessibility Services, which facilitates the inclusion of students with a wide range of disabilities into all aspects of university life.

If you are a student with a disability (including chronic or mental health conditions, sensory or physical disabilities, ADHD or ASD spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, concussion or brain injuries or temporary physical disabilities), and had academic accommodations in high school (e.g., extra test time, note-taking assistance, alternative-format textbooks), you may be eligible for similar support through this service.

We encourage you to register as early as possible with Accessibility Services to ensure you can access academic accommodations in a timely fashion if you need them.

A: Core 8 students who wish to request a program transfer may apply through the Engineering Portal by May 15. Transfer requests are reviewed early in the summer, and take effect for the fall term. More transfer details are posted here.

A: You can apply for an Internal U of T Transfer to be considered for admission to another Faculty/campus for September 2021. Deadlines for this type of transfer range from January-March, and we recommend you meet with your academic advisor about this as soon as possible.