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New Grad Student Guide

New to Grad School at UVic? We can help!

Are you a new international student? Scroll down for curated resources!

If you haven’t already, follow UVic’s New Graduate Student Guide which will take you through accepting your offer, setting up your Netlink ID account, course registration, and more.

The GSS administers your bus pass (U-Pass) package and your Extended Health & Dental Plan (which is distinct from Guard.me or BC MSP). For questions about the latter, reach out to the International Centre for Students.

Come say hi in our office in the Graduate Students’ Centre (aka Halpern Centre), just by the #26 stop in the bus loop. We can get you a GSS planner, direct you anywhere you might need to go, and loop you in on any events happening for grad students. Make sure you stop by the Grad House restaurant, where you get a discount if you show your grad student OneCard! Come to our Wednesday Coffees each week from 9am – 10:30am in Halpern Centre to meet other grad students and get connected to the GSS!

Learn more about us and ways to get involved by clicking through our website or visiting in person!

Campus A-Z:

Find our curated list of UVic resources here, including advocacy groups, childcare, and more!

Our GSS Linktree can also save you time while you look for resources.

Key Contacts & Resources

The Faculty of Graduate Studies oversees graduate admissions, fellowships, grants (most funding not direct from your department), plus academic employment, preparation for teaching, supervision, advising, accommodations, concessions, oral exams and degree completion. 

Review the Graduate Supervisory Relationship Policy to prepare you for a productive and positive relationship with your Supervisor, and to be aware of tools available to help you if you hit any bumps.

If you are working as a sessional instructor or TA, CUPE 4163 is your union.

The Office of Student Life is a great resource for both undergraduate and graduate students, and the International Centre for Students is the best place to find information on getting started in Victoria, work visas, and more.

For departmental funding, advice about what courses you need to take, and more program-specific questions, reach out to your program adviser, graduate adviser, or department secretary.

Campus Quickstart:

New International Grad Students

Welcome! Here’s where to start.

As an international grad student, it can be hard at first to figure out what resources are available, and where to go or who to talk to to find the specific support you’re looking for. The GSS is still your society, but there are other organizations and services on campus which you will need to connect with as soon as possible.

 First and foremost is the International Centre for Students. Explore their website, find them here on campus, or send an email with your student number, full name, country of citizenship, study permit expiry, passport expiry, where you are currently residing, and a full list of your questions.

Gustavson School of Business (GSB) students should contact the GSB International team.

Continuing Studies students should contact the Division of Continuing Studies.

For questions about your coverage as an international student, head first to the International Centre for Students’ website.

  • Most new international students are automatically enrolled in the guard.me@UVic plan when they register in a course at UVic. Coverage is valid for the first four months at UVic, and is meant to cover students during the waiting period while they apply for the BC Medical Services Plan.
  • International students must submit a BC MSP enrolment application when they arrive in Canada. (You will not be eligible if you are in Canada for less than 6 months, however.)
  • All UVic graduate students need comprehensive coverage, i.e. both basic and extended health insurance.
    Find info about what comprehensive coverage means, and information about the GSS Extended Health & Dental coverage, explore our Health & Dental page. For more information about our coverage, please see our Benefit Booklet for the current year.
  • Need coverage for eligible prescription drugs, medical supplies and pharmacy services not covered by your primary and extended health insurance? Visit Fair PharmaCare.
  • Looking for health & wellness providers? See the International Student Centre’s list of care available for specific services and groups.
  • If you have questions about study permits, work authorization, or are looking for pre-arrival support, you must contact the International Centre for Students. No one at the GSS is legally allowed to discuss anything to do with immigration with students, and we will always redirect students to the ICS for the best information.
  • The ICS has a team of international student advisers (ISAs) — regulated immigration practitioners who provide non-academic support and immigration advice for international undergraduate and graduate students.
  • The ICS offers drop-in immigration advising appointments.
    • Make sure you have the following information ready:
      • Student number or UVic OneCard.
      • original or copy of your Canadian temporary resident documents (e.g., study permit, work permit, temporary resident visa) and passport
      • any other relevant documents you have that may be needed for the consultation
      • your list of questions
  • The international student advisors (ISAs) cannot complete your immigration applications for you or advise on permanent residence (PR) programs. Students seeking immigration representation or PR consultations should consider hiring an authorized immigration representative.

Please reach out to the International Centre for Students regarding Exchange Programs — their Exchange Team coordinates and supports student exchanges, incoming and outgoing, and their Exchange advisers are available to support and guide prospective and current exchange students on a first come, first-served basis.

To schedule an in-person or online advising appointment, please email goglobal@uvic.ca or phone them at +1-250-721-6361.

You can also visit the International Centre for Students (Jamie Cassels Centre, room B202d) between 9am and 4:30pm. Drop-in advising cannot be guaranteed and is based on advisers’ availability. 

UVic Global Community (toggle)

  • The UVic Global Community (GC) initiative provides opportunities and creates space for international and domestic students, staff and faculty to share perspectives, celebrate diversity, foster intercultural connections and cultivate an inclusive and globally-minded campus.
  • The best way to stay connected with Global Community is via their Facebook page, where all events and activities are posted.

Find how you can connect with the UVic campus, get your identification (including Provincial ID and International Student Identity Card), open a bank account, set up your cellphone, and more on the ICS website.

Find information about on-campus and off-campus housing here. 

If you need help finding your way around campus, aren’t sure the right place to start for what or who you’re looking for, have questions about your bus pass or are looking for events to attend or more ways to get involved on campus, come to the GSS Office! 

If you have questions about your GSS Extended Health & Dental Coverage, stop by or email gsoc@uvic.ca.

Our best tip for meeting other grad students? Come to Wednesday Coffee! Every Wednesday from 9am – 10:30am in Side Project inside Halpern Centre, we have free coffee, tea, and snacks available for graduate students on campus. Come join us!

Get Involved

Join us in shaping the grad student experience at UVic! Connect, advocate, and gain valuable skills. Explore opportunities to get involved today!

Get Involved