The University of Toronto is made up of a diverse student body with nearly 24,000 international students, as well as students from all over Canada. Approximately 35% of our St. Michael’s College student body is international with students coming from 168 countries and regions.
The City of Toronto is also incredibly diverse. Nearly half of Toronto’s 2.8 million residents were born outside of Canada. Toronto’s living mosaic continues to draw the best and the brightest, who come here seeking world-class business, culture, entertainment and education in one of the safest cities in the world.
The Centre for International Experience (CIE) offers a range of programs and services as well as global learning opportunities.
Whether you have a question about your legal status in Canada, your healthcare coverage or how to file your taxes, the CIE is here to support you in your adjustment to the University of Toronto and life in Canada.
Immigration Advising
As an international student, you will need to navigate Canadian immigration requirements. The CIE has a team of International Student Immigration Advisors (ISIAs) to assist you with sorting through processes and paperwork.
Reserve an immigration advising appointment through Folio.
Log in with your UTORid and password
Programming
The CIE also offers a full calendar of events, including orientation seminars, academic preparation workshops, and immigration information sessions. You can also connect with other international students.
Register for one of their informative webinars and workshops by checking out the Monthly Calendar of Events.
Before you arrive to begin your first year of study, here are some things you will need to do.
- Accept your offer
- Coordinate accommodations for On-Campus Residence or Off-Campus Housing
- Review pre-arrival and study permit information, which includes details about the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
- Read the Calendar and Timetable to learn how to register for courses
- Pay your fees by the deadlines listed
There are some additional things you may want to consider. While not mandatory, you are encouraged to learn about them.
- Apply for accessibility accommodations
- Sign up for the student services workshop for incoming international students (held virtually in June and July). Check back here for details closer to this time
- Sign up for orientation. (Fall 2025 information TBA)
- Sign up for our first year mentorship program. (Fall 2025 information TBA)
All international students studying in Canada for more than 6 months require a valid study permit. You must have a valid permit throughout your studies in Canada.
Studying in Canada
While attending U of T, you may also want to work on- or off-campus, which may require a work permit or other documentation. Depending on the type of work, whether it is on- or off-campus, you may need to apply for different permits. The Centre for International Experience has put together helpful tutorials to review when determining which permits to apply for.
A good resource for you to become familiar with is the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx) which includes details about our Work Study Program, where you can apply for positions to work on campus.
- With the exception of American citizens, as an international student, you will need to have either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV – also known as a visitor or entry visa) or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), in addition to the relevant study or work permit.
- Whether you need a TRV or eTA depends on your country of citizenship. The Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website can help you identify whether a visa is required for entry into Canada.
- A successful study or work permit application made outside Canada will automatically include a TRV or eTA (if required).
- The Centre for International Experience has videos and resources to assist with immigration documents and visas.
- St. Michael’s College Registrar’s Office
- Accessibility
- Math & Computer Science Success Centres
- Learning Strategists
- Writing and Research Help Centre
- English Language Learning
Contact us to receive guidance with academics and finances or to be connected with the supports you need.
The St. Michael’s College Registrar’s Office is your first stop for academic advice. Students will receive assistance with registration, course and program selection, academic progress and petitions. In addition, advisors can provide students with guidance regarding workloads relative to other aspects of their time on campus.
For enquiries, email smc.registrar@utoronto.ca
For details on drop-in advising sessions, visit: Registrar and Academic Support Services
The University of Toronto Offers Accessibility Services for students who may require accommodations throughout their time at the university. You can apply for accessibility accommodations following the instructions here. Learn more about Accessibility Services below.
Join us for drop-in style tutoring with a Math and Computer Science tutor at the Kelly Library, room 137.
Additional exam period hours will be announced at a later date.
Winter 2025: Your MAT Success Centre Tutor: Narmada Varadarajan
Every Monday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. until April 7 except during Reading Week.
Join the Quercus Course
Winter 2025: Your CSC Success Centre Tutor: Jackson Tsang
Every Monday from 2.30 to 4:30 p.m. until April 7 except during Reading Week.
Join the Quercus Course
Learning strategists work with you to identify your learning goals and develop strategies to make your learning more effective and enjoyable. Meeting with a learning strategist will benefit you as you learn how to better manage time and stress, navigate online vs. in-person learning, read effectively, actively study and prepare for tests and exams.
Reserve an appointment via the Folio platform.
Log in with your UTORid and password and choose to book with our SMC learning strategist, Meghan Litteljohn, or a learning strategist at the Centre for Learning Strategy Support.
The John M. Kelly Library is home to the Writing and Research Help Centre, and where you can search for books and articles throughout the University of Toronto’s library system, find course material, and book study rooms and consultations for research support.
The Kelly Library offers a Personal Librarian Program, where all first- and second-year St. Michael’s College students are paired with a personal librarian to help navigate resources and build research skills.
Locate your personal librarian.
In addition, our research librarians and writing instructors can help you improve your writing, editing, and research skills, from pre-research and brainstorming to working with full drafts.
Book your 30-minute one-on-one session with a research librarian or writing instructor.
Getting comfortable using English is an essential skill that will help you ease into your experience at the university.
English Language Learning (ELL) supports all U of T undergraduates enrolled in the Faculty of Arts & Science whose first or primary language is not English, or students who find formal, academic English challenging.
ELL’s mini courses are non-credit courses, which take place over three to six days. These are designed and taught by U of T instructors and are free.
Fall/Winter 2024-25 Course Overview
Visit ELL for course information and how to register for the Oral Presentation, Reading eWriting, and the Communication Café Intensive.
Please note that you will need a U of T email address to register for courses. Visit the TCard website for instructions on how to activate and set up your UTmail+ account.
Finding accommodations while you are attending the University of Toronto is an important part of your university experience. There are many options available to you, and deciding between them will come down to your own personal choice about location, accommodation type, duration of stay, and finances. Click through some of the options below for more details and to determine which option is right for you.
St. Michael’s College offers several residence spaces on campus for students looking to live at the university. There are many benefits to living in residence including proximity to campus, built-in meal plans, access to services and supports, and integrated community programming. To learn more about the residence offerings and how to apply, click here.
There are numerous residence spaces at St. Michael’s College, all which offer access to shared washrooms, laundry, common rooms, and are supported by an Upper Year student who lives in the community, known as a Don, who plans programs and events for their community regularly. With all of these amenities, living in St. Michael’s is a great choice for students new to Toronto.
There are many types of Off-Campus Housing options available to students, including apartment buildings, condominiums, houses, and community residences specifically for post-secondary students.
To aid in searching for housing, the University of Toronto has created an off-campus housing network where you can search for accommodations, roommates and more.
Finding a place to live, especially while searching from abroad, can be a big challenge, so we recommend watching this webinar hosted by the Housing Services team at U of T, walking you through the best tips and things to consider.
There are multiple modes of transportation in the City of Toronto:
- Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) – learn more about reduced student fares and Presto cards
- By bike, ride share services, or taxi
- Driving – learn how to get a new license or exchange your license
- GO Transit if you are headed outside the city of Toronto
- UTSG – UTM Shuttle Bus – to travel between the St. George U of T Campus and the Mississauga U of T Campus
Commuter Coordinators
The Commuter Coordinator program is made up of a group of upper year students hired to help commuter students become familiar with transportation as they travel to and from campus, as well as host events and activities for commuters to participate in throughout their time on campus! They have a lounge in Brennan Hall that is always stocked with snacks, drinks, a fridge, microwave, toaster, and a giant TV for watching your favourite shows!
Safety while getting around is important so become familiar with the resources below to keep you safe.
- Campus Safety Office
- Community Safety Office
- Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre
- Public safety services
- Emergency services (911)
Paying Your Tuition and Residence Fees from Outside Canada?
The University of Toronto has authorized fee payment service providers Convera and Flywire to process incoming international student tuition and residence fee payments for the university.
Log into ACORN to see the two fee payment service providers on the “How to Make a Payment” page and click on the Convera or Flywire links. For more details, visit the Student Accounts webpage.
We recommend saving the University of Toronto’s Fees Webpage link so you can easily refer to it and never miss a due date.
If you have questions related to fees and payments, please reach out to the Registrar’s Office at smc.registrar@utoronto.ca
The St. Michael’s College Registrar’s Office provides information and resources regarding the various scholarships, bursaries, and grants available to international students seeking additional funding support. If you have questions, reach out to the Registrar’s Office at smc.registrar@utoronto.ca
The two health insurance plans outlined in the tabs below, are subscriptions that you are automatically enrolled in, wherein the insurer covers part of the costs associated for various health and dental procedures. Understanding the types of plans you have and what is covered is essential as you prepare to study at U of T.
Registered international students are automatically enrolled in UHIP for a 12-month period, starting September 1 and expiring August 31. Coverage will be renewed automatically at the beginning of every academic year for returning international students. The coverage charge will be listed on your invoice in ACORN. Coverage is operated by Cowan Manulife Insurance.
Review UHIP coverage details
How to access your UHIP Card
For additional details and claim forms, visit the UHIP service page.
The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) administers a Health & Dental plan for all full-time undergraduate students, providing some of the best mental health and wellness, and dental coverages in Canada when compared to other student association plans. The plan provides full or partial coverage for many services not covered under UHIP.
Visit the UTSU page to learn more about your coverage, how to make a claim, and other details about your plan.
The University of Toronto, and the University of St. Michael’s College have resources to help support you and your mental wellbeing.
St. Michael’s College Health & Wellness Resources Page
Offers a comprehensive list of resources both on and off campus for students in distress.
Emily VanBerkum-Farahat, Manager of Community Wellness
St. Michael’s College is dedicated to supporting your wellness journey, by fostering a caring and healthy environment that nurtures personal and academic success.
Emily VanBerkum-Farahat is a registered social worker available for informal, confidential one-on-one ‘Wellness Advising’ appointments. Wellness Advising is a caring conversation with a mental health professional. It involves co-identifying immediate needs, explaining health services, making referrals, as well as supporting the development of healthy coping skills and determining an action plan for practical next steps.
Book a virtual or in-person appointment with Emily.
U of T Telus Health Student Support
If you are in Canada or anywhere else in the world, you can call or text with a counselor at U of T Telus Health Student Support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ongoing support is available over the phone in 146 languages. Immediate support is available over the phone in 35 languages and over chat in simplified Chinese, English, French and Spanish.
Within North America: 1-844-451-9700
Outside North America: 001-416-380-6578
Download the U of T Telus Health Student Support app: Apple App Store | Google Play.
Equally important to maintaining mental wellbeing, is your physical health. Upon arriving to Canada you may want to learn more about the following resources for supporting physical wellbeing.
- Register for a Family Doctor – Family doctors in Canada can aid you in various ailments and assist with regular check-ups and support throughout your time with a consistent doctor. To find a family doctor click here.
- Familiarize yourself with nearby Walk-In-Clinics – Walk-in-Clinics accept visits from patients experiencing most ailments, and are a great option if you do not have a family doctor, or your illness is not immediately severe enough for the Emergency Room at a hospital.
- Familiarize yourself with nearby Hospitals – Hospitals (equipped with emergency rooms) accept visits from patients who are experiencing severe or emergency symptoms related to an illness. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you can visit the emergency room at a nearby hospital, or call 9-1-1 to be connected with an ambulance.
- Call 911 when you need emergency care for symptoms like:
- loss of consciousness
- pain not relieved by pain medication
- confusion
- persistent, severe chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- Get connected with U of T Health & Wellness – there are resources and information that may be helpful to you if you are unwell, which you can navigate on the U of T Health & Wellness site.
At the University of St. Michael’s College, faith, religion, and spirituality are valued and engaged not only in the classroom, but across many aspects of the life of St. Michael’s community. Embracing these human realities and reflecting on their meaning is at the core of the Catholic Intellectual tradition, of which St. Michael’s is a part.
At the University of Toronto, the Multi Faith Centre is another resource for spiritual exploration and wellbeing. They provide an inclusive space for you to engage in community, where you can learn, grow and explore diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives.
The Wellness Studio at St. Michael’s College is a space which promotes overall wellbeing of the mind, body, and soul. In this space, weekly programming of small class sizes will be offered to students as an opportunity to unwind, reflect, build strength and skills, and meditate.
All classes operate on a drop-in basis, to view the weekly schedule and indicate your interest in classes, sign up here.
The St. Michael’s College Exercise room is open to students, staff, faculty, and Alumni of the college for a $20 fee per semester.
Located in St. Michael’s College, Muzzo Family Alumni Hall, 121 St. Joseph Street, Toronto ON, M5S 3C2.
To access this space, please complete the registration form and waiver, and pay the fee here.
The Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education operates a range of activity spaces for sport and recreation, academic and research programs, and programs for children and youth across our facilities:
- Athletic Centre
- Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport
- Varsity Centre and Arena
- Back Campus fields
- Robert Street fields
University of Toronto students pay mandatory athletic incidental fees and are a priority in our Sport & Rec facilities; they inform and govern our decision-making processes involving the provision of sport and recreational programs and services.
Looking for a quick, high-intensity workout that can be easily done at home? Check out these quick and modifiable body-weight exercises that you can do anytime, anywhere!
Campus Life
Finding community on campus can seem like a daunting task, especially since U of T has over 90,000 students each year studying together. However, here at St. Mike’s through Campus Life, we know there is a home for you, whether you find your group through sports, arts, social issues, student government, movies, music, or something else.
At any given time throughout the academic year, there are events and activities happening on campus just for you. It can sometimes be intimidating to come to an event where you may not know anyone, so many of our events are drop-in style, which allows you to come by at any time during the event without needing to commit to the entire time.
Check out what is happening on campus this week, on our Student Life Calendar!
You can also check out our other programs and activities below to connect with groups of students based on interest, culture, passions, and service!
U of T is also home to many student groups and organizations built to celebrate various cultures and backgrounds. To connect with students who come from the same community as you, or speak the same language, visit the Student Organization Portal.
At the University of St. Michael’s College, faith, religion, and spirituality are valued and engaged not only in the classroom, but across many aspects of the life of St. Michael’s community. Embracing these human realities and reflecting on their meaning is at the core of the Catholic Intellectual tradition, of which St. Michael’s is a part.
Residence Life
For students living at St. Michael’s College in residence, there is a wide variety of programming and opportunities for connection available! Connect with the SMRC or Residence Staff team below to learn more about upcoming activities and opportunities to connect.
St. Michael’s College Student Union (known affectionately as SMCSU), is the official Student Government at the University of St. Michael’s College, and serves the undergraduate population at St. Mike’s through programming, initiatives, and advocacy work. The council is an elected body, made up of 13 members, through elections held each spring.
To learn more about SMCSU and upcoming events and opportunities to get involved check out their Instagram, or Website
Each year, SMCSU elects one student to the role of Vice President of International Community Outreach, whose mandate is to support the needs of the international student population at St. Mike’s. To learn more about this role and the activities that they will host, follow them at https://www.instagram.com/smcsu.ico/. You can also email them at ico.smcsu@gmail.com.
For international students in their final year, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
Whether you are expecting to graduate this year or have recently graduated, as an international student you have the option to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit, which allows you to remain in Canada while looking for work after graduation. To review eligibility requirements and steps for applying, visit the CIE’s PGWP Guide.
U of T’s Career Exploration & Education team is committed to helping you navigate the transition from student to your post-graduate life. Connecting with the team has three major benefits:
- Options: Meet employers, industry experts and alumni.
- Strategies: Identify goals and navigate career decisions.
- Resources: Improve your resume, interviews and online presence.
Learn more about what Career Exploration & Education has to offer.
St. Michael’s College offers various programs throughout the academic year geared towards supporting soon-to-be graduates.
The Office of the Dean of Students offers two Grad Weeks, typically in October and February each year, featuring networking socials, workshops, and events to help students discover the many pathways open to them after graduation. To learn more about these programs and specific dates, check out the Student Life Calendar, or follow us on Instagram @UStMikesStudents