Your First Year: Frequently Asked Questions

A: We understand that study permit delays are stressful. All incoming first-year students who cannot arrive on campus by September 8 due to study permit delays will be provided with accommodations that allow them to begin their learning remotely, on a short-term basis.

Please keep us updated on the current status of your study permit and your travel plans by completing the Late Campus Arrival Request form: https://uoft.me/EngineeringLateArrival. If you experience any changes to your status or travel plans, please include this information in the form. Because the U of T Engineering curriculum is designed to give a hands-on learning experience, students are encouraged to arrive on campus as soon as possible.

If you are an incoming TrackOne or Core8 student and are unable to arrive by September 25, you will be required to enrol in a modified course load and will complete your remaining first-year courses during the summer term. Upon successful completion of your summer courses, you will be able to continue into Year 2 with the rest of your cohort.

If you are an incoming Engineering Science student, your department will work with you directly to provide remote accommodation and academic planning support.

A: Welcome to U of T Engineering! At a minimum, we expect all incoming students to carefully read the Guide to First Year to understand your options, responsibilities and next steps.

You should also check your email regularly for important updates.

A: First-year students do not have to select their courses. You can simply view your timetable on ACORN in early August. Additionally, the Guide to First Year outlines which courses you will take in your first year of studies in U of T Engineering.

A: Unfortunately, we are not able to change first-year students’ timetables to accommodate personal preferences, as we must ensure that all newly-admitted students fit into their required class sections.

It’s also our aim to spread out enrolment numbers over all the sections as much as possible. The timetables students receive are the result of this balance, which, unfortunately, does not allow for personal schedule preferences.

However, if you have a conflict of a medical, religious, Varsity athletic, or other important nature you may complete a Timetable Change Request form (posted in the First Year Hub or available at the First Year Office), and bring it to the First Year Office in GB 170.

The deadline to request timetable changes for the 2022 Fall Term is Monday, September 19 at 4 p.m.

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 in person, through Live Chat or by phone for assistance.
• Or, you can email your advisor directly with your availability.

A: Please visit U of T Student Accounts website for detailed information. Tuition invoices will be posted to your ACORN account 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.

The deadline to register (pay or defer your tuition fees) for the 2022 – 2023 academic year was August 18, 2022. Additional information is available in the Guide to First Year.

If you missed the deadline to register, please contact the Registrar's Office as soon as possible.

A: Congratulations! All University and Faculty scholarships will be automatically applied to students’ ACORN invoices during the fall semester (before October 15).

When making your minimum payment to register, you can subtract the amount of your scholarship from your payment.

A: The University recommends that 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. Please visit www.uoft.me/techspecs for full recommendations.

The Engineering Computing Facility (ECF) provides in-person computer lab access when on campus, and is available 24/7 through remote access to computers and software within U of T Engineering.

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

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

The Office of the Vice-Provost, Students is also regularly updating an FAQ page for international students that addresses questions relating to immigration, travel, visas and other details that may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

You should also have received further information via email from the First Year Advisor, Intercultural Learning & Experience, including details on our E-Buddy peer mentorship program, and a First-Year Engineering Welcome Guide for international students.

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/or 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: Yes, included in your tuition fees is health and dental coverage. For domestic students, visit the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU) website for more details. For international students, visit CIE’s web page on health coverage.