What should I do before classes begin?

It's helpful to learn about university expectations, opportunities, services and timelines before you arrive. Be sure to check out our Online Orientation modules starting in the summer. Here, you will learn about academics, extra-curricular opportunities and personal wellness at the university.

Speak with a faculty advisor

Program Advising

Map out which courses you need to take, and when you need to take them. Program advisors from your faculty can provide you with insight into the best way to approach your degree.

Contact your Faculty Advisor

Build your academic skill set

Student Support

The Student Success Centre (SSC) offers seminars, workshops and programs to support all your academic needs. No matter which faculty you're in, the SSC can help you become a more effective, efficient and confident student.

Vist the Student Success Centre

Explore UCalgary's academic majors

Exploring Majors

Not sure if the degree you're enrolled in is right for you? A Student Success Centre advisor can help you choose a program best suited to your interests, abilities and career aspirations.

Explore Academic Majors

IT Username

Your IT username (also known as your eID) is what you'll use to log in to your UCalgary email and D2L. You'll also need it to register for courses, pay your fees, and more.

Set up your IT username

Unicard

Your Unicard is your campus identification card. You’ll need it for writing exams, borrowing books, accessing the gym, using your meal plan and more.

Find out where to get your Unicard

UPass

If you're a full-time student, your tuition includes a UPass, which is an unlimited transit pass. To get your UPass, you’ll need to get your Unicard first.

Find out where you can get your UPass

UC Emergency Mobile App

Available on your iPhone or Android device, this app includes a contact button to help you reach Campus Security quickly, emergency alerts to keep you up-to-date on incidents, and more.

Learn about the UC Emergency app

Desire2Learn (D2L)

Desire2Learn is UCalgary’s online learning management system for students. D2L is where you’ll find course content, submit assignments and take quizzes for all of your classes.

Get started with D2L

Sign-up for Orientation

Meet other new students, and learn about academics and the campus community through events, workshops and more. Set yourself up for success in university by registering for Fall Orientation when it becomes available.

Online Orientation

Online Orientation is a way for you to connect with important information, ask questions, and learn about topics like academic advising, writing support, and co-curricular activities before, and throughout your first year. Stay tuned to your email inbox for more information.

Buy your textbooks

Visit the UCalgary Bookstore website for information on how to get your textbooks for the upcoming semester. If you don’t know which books you need yet, your course outline will be uploaded to D2L close to when classes begin

Visit the Bookstore FAQ

You at UCalgary

Typically, this this event is packed with lectures, Q&A sessions, and information booths to teach you about academic and campus life at UCalgary. The event will be held online this year, so be sure to accept your offer and register at the link below.

Learn more about the event

Campus Mental Health Support

There are many mental health supports available to new students. Whether it's concerns about COVID-19, self isolation or anything else, take a moment to learn more about the Campus Mental Health Strategy and how to get support at UCalgary.

Visit the Mental Health Strategy webpage

Online Learning

Why not brush up on your online learning skills? Participate in workshops where new students can learn about academic integrity, group work and how to thrive when working online. Workshops begin in July.

Learn more about Student Success Centre workshops

Campus Tours

Never visited campus? Now's the time! Follow the link to take one of our virtual video tours, or join an in-person tour to check out our popular study spaces, fitness facilities, labs, and residences. Connect and take a tour of campus today!

Visit campus

Do you have questions about university life? Check out "UCalgary Online Orientation 2023 - 2024," opening in the Summer of 2023. Visit the site