Prepare for classes

Enrol in Courses

The time has come to register for classes! In a few short semesters, building your timetable will feel like second nature, but like any new undertaking, the first time around might feel confusing. Luckily YU Start was designed to make your life a little easier. Create an account and follow along not only to enrol in courses, but also to connect with peers, faculty members and staff!

YU Start is available for most programs. For other faculties go through the Undergraduate Enrolment and Registration Guide

English Proficiency Supports

If you're at all worried about your English language skills as you prepare for university, we have resources to support you. Even if you're just looking to develop friendships through conversation, or getting assistance from experts to help you understand your assignments, there is something for everyone!

English Conversation Partner Program

The English Conversation Partner Program is designed to help students who speak English as a second language to improve on their skills by being paired with a student who speaks English more fluently. Students have an opportunity to develop friendships while exploring on and off-campus activities.  

ESL Open Learning Centre

The ESL Open Learning Centre provides support for students looking to improve their English Language Skills through reading, writing, and speaking in English. Experts from the writing centre provide support through drop-in, individual or small group sessions.  
 

Academic Integrity

During your studies at York University, you will be required assigned a wide variety of writing-based projects including essays, presentations and more. It is important to know how to use incorporate your research properly to avoid the risk of plagiarism. 

Plagiarism means taking another person’s ideas, or words, and presenting them as if they were your own. It's imperative that you understand how to cite your sources, and refer to them in your work.

Academic integrity is enforced to ensure that you’re studying responsibly and applying yourself. You should be honest, respectful, trustworthy, fair and responsible when you complete assignments and exams. It is your responsibility to ensure you understand the Academic Integrity policies and how this is applied to your coursework and assignments.


York University has created an Academic Integrity website that is dedicated to providing you with resources, tools and the knowledge to help you carry out your work with integrity. You will find information on:


•    Avoiding a breach;
•    Resources help you succeed;
•    Academic Honesty modules;
•    Frequently asked questions around Academic Integrity.
 

Get to know your Faculty

Depending on which faculty you belong to, you will be able to access various resources and programs made specifically for you to support with your academic success and transition at York University. 

Explore what's available from your faculty below:

Resources:

Pass Program

Peer-Assisted Study Sessions, or PASS, can help LA&PS students succeed in challenging courses. Collaborate with other students in a group study session to tackle your challenging coursework together!

SNACK Program

Student Numeracy Assistance Centre at Keele (SNACK) provides support to students in LA&PS courses that involve math, stats, coding and Excel. Through SNACK, you can become an expert in a variety of math concepts.

Study Meet Program

Through our Study Meet program, you will have the opportunity to learn new study skills with an International Student Success Ambassador and a PASS or SNACK Leader. Study Meets are designed for international students.

Academic Advising

LA&PS Academic Advising Services is here for you with the information, guidance and support to help you achieve your academic goals. We are available to help you with issues such as changing degrees, fulfilling degree requirements, academic petitions, what to do when a class is full and more. You can also access advising as an incoming student.

Resources:

Academic Advising 

The Faculty of Health's Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) provides student advising services to Faculty of Health major students. Advising is available to all current and incoming students. 

Academic Resources

If you would like to improve your course performance, browse the many programs and resources accessible in the Faculty of Health, and at Calumet and Stong Colleges. These can support you in your own learning and success. Some resources are also available to incoming students.

Resources:

Academic Advising

The Lasssonde team of advisors at the Lassonde Student Welcome & Support Centre is committed to providing Lassonde students with the advice you need as students in a professional School. Advising helps you to make informed and thoughtful decisions about your academic pathway as you progress through the Lassonde School of Engineering. Advising is available to both current and incoming students.

Lassonde Academy

Up Your Skills in the Lassonde Academy! Lassonde Academy is an online learning platform designed to help you boost your confidence and brush up on key skills before you join our School. This is a resource for incoming students.

Peer Helpers & Peer Mentors

Lassonde’s Peer Helper & Peer Mentor Program is a peer support service that assists new students to make a smooth transition into university life at the Lassonde School of Engineering.

Academic Supports and Resources

Browse all other resources on offer from Lassonde including program checklists.

Resources:

Academic Advising

Science Academic Services is the undergraduate advising office for all Science students at York. Our team provides a confidential and secure environment for Science students to get assistance. Advising is available to both current and incoming students.

Peer Assisted Study Sessions

Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are facilitated study groups: voluntary, regularly scheduled, informal review study sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools and predict test items.

Peer Tutoring

Peer Tutoring is a Bethune College service that aims to help students in Science and/or Engineering gain an enhanced understanding of the concepts and material presented in class

Math and Stats Help Centre

Located in ROSS S525 for one-on-one tutorial help. Visit the Discord server for course questions.

New Student Page

These pages are specifically for students who have been recently admitted to the Faculty of Science. You’ll find all the information that you will need for getting ready to start your studies at York.

Resources:

Academic Advising

The advising team is dedicated to providing a wealth of one-to-one advising & drop-in appointments for a variety of academic and non-academic student inquiries. Advising is available to both current and incoming students.

English Language Peer Support

The English Language Peer Support (ELPS) program provides free one-on-one online support for both writing assignments and verbal presentations.

Academic Resources and Supports

Browse all additional supports and resources available to Schulich students.

Resources:

Academic Resources and Supports

Browse all supports and resources available to Faculty of Education students.

Resources:

Scholarly Skills

Brush up on skills like conference presenting, academic CV writing, interviewing and interning with these resources from the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Academic Honesty

Incoming students should spend time familiarizing themselves with the Academic Honesty page to understand what expectations and policies are in place.

General Resources

There are also general resources available to all York University undergraduate students. 

The libraries offer various resources, supports and services to support with:

  • Textbooks and course materials
  • Media equipment
  • Study spaces
  • Workshops

Want to enhance your ability to produce effective academic and professional writing? Take advantage of our writing support programming. We are here to support your growth and development as a writer. Come to the Writing Centre to work on your reading, writing and thinking skills.

The Learning Commons brings together academic learning supports to help students with areas such as writing, library research, citing, time management, study skills, exam preparation, English language support, numeracy and math support, career planning and much more. 

Looking for ways to manage your time? Study and learn more effectively? Keep up with readings and course work? Get the most out of your studies? Let Learning Skills Services (LSS) help you achieve your academic goals!

Preparing for a Canadian Classroom

There may be some differences to note when you come to study at York University. You could feel a change of what is expected of you in the classroom and in terms of your written work.

Learn about the about the changes you can expect when you study at York.

At York University, learning takes many forms, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore different methods that suit your style and the demands of your courses. Here’s what to expect:

  • Studying independently: Preparing for exams often involves reviewing books and course notes on your own.

  • Engaging in discussions: Seminars and study groups provide a space to think critically and exchange ideas with others.

  • Researching and writing: A significant part of your academic experience will involve researching topics and writing essays or assignments. At York, you’ll be encouraged to work independently and produce original work.

  • Attending lectures and classes: These are core components of your academic journey and often involve assessments like exams.

  • Participating in group work: Collaborative projects are an important aspect of learning, offering opportunities to share diverse perspectives and develop teamwork skills.

These methods reflect the diversity of academic cultures, so you may find some approaches more familiar than others. York University’s supportive environment will help you adapt and thrive as you develop your own learning strategies.

At York University, you are encouraged to work independently and to produce your own essays and research. You will also attend lectures, take classes and often sit for exams. Lastly, an important aspect of learning at York University is group work, which to encourage you to work collaboratively with others and to allow for the exchange of different or opposing ideas.

For some international students, teachers at Canadian universities may feel less distant and more approachable compared to those in their home country.

Teaching styles in Canada can vary widely, ranging from formal to informal:

  • Formal and directive: The teacher maintains a structured approach and leads classroom activities.
  • Formal yet encouraging: The teacher fosters a supportive atmosphere while maintaining professionalism.
  • Informal and approachable: The teacher creates a relaxed environment and is easy to interact with.

In many Canadian university classrooms, teaching often involves group discussions. A more informal style is commonly used to encourage active participation and make students feel comfortable sharing their views.

At York University, the number of tutorials, labs, seminars and lectures you have will depend on your course. Some courses may rely heavily on lectures as a means of communicating information. Others may use seminars much more, particularly because they allow scope for discussion and critical thinking about the subject.

For some international students, teachers at Canadian universities are less distant in the classroom than those in their home country. 

Teaching styles can be range from being formal or informal, for example:

  • The teacher is usually formal and directs in the classroom
  • The teacher is quite formal but encouraging in the classroom
  • The teacher is informal and easy to approach in the classroom

The way of teaching in Canadian universities often involves whole group discussion, and a more informal style is used to encourage you to take part in the discussion and not be afraid of offering your own views.

Back in my country, the teachers would write everything on the whiteboard. We are used to taking notes from the board, not from listening to the teacher

— Antkita

Classroom formats

At York University, you can expect to be taught in different ways. The most common ways of teaching and learning you will come across are lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions.

A lecture is a type of class in which the professor gives a formal talk about a particular topic.

A seminar generally refers to upper-year courses where the number of students is small and the emphasis is on discussion amongst the professor and his/her students. 

Labs are classes held for science students for the purpose of conducting scientific experiments. For example, you would attend a Biology lab to dissect a frog and record the results of the experiment.

Tutorials supplement a lecture. A lecture is often held for a large group of students where your ability to interact is more limited than in small classroom settings. All lectures therefore 'break-up' the class into smaller sections, called tutorials, where students have an opportunity to discuss the course materials and assignments and share ideas. Tutorials can be led by the course director (or professor), but can also be led by a Teaching Assistant.

Contact Us

International Student and Scholar Services

When emailing us, please include in your email:

  • Your student number in the subject line
  • Your full name
  • Your citizenship(s)
  • If you are in or outside Canada
  • All permit and visa expiration dates (if applicable)
  • Any relevant documents