Graduate Student Orientation Portal
Discover orientation programs, events and resources that will help you get started, make connections and thrive as a graduate student at the University of Calgary.
Welcome to Graduate Student Orientation (GradO)!
GradO is your introduction to life as a UCalgary graduate student. Explore orientation resources, events and support services designed to help you navigate your transition to graduate studies, build connections and set yourself up for success. Join us for welcome sessions, workshops and networking opportunities, and check back regularly for the latest updates and information.
Message from the Dean
Welcome to the University of Calgary! We're thrilled you've chosen to join our graduate community. As a new graduate student, you're becoming part of a world-class network of scholars, researchers and professionals. Graduate Orientation (GradO) is your opportunity to connect with resources, services and fellow students as you begin your graduate journey.
Tara Beattie, Dean and Vice-Provost, Graduate Studies
Important dates
Save these important orientation and start-of-term dates as you prepare for your first year.
July 15, 2026
Fall Graduate Orientation registration opens
Aug. 24, 2026
Start of Fall Term
Aug. 26, 2026
Fall Graduate Orientation (GradO)
Sept. 18, 2026
Tuition and Fee Payment Deadline
Dec. 24, 2026
End of Fall Term
Preparing to join the UCalgary Graduate Community
UCalgary email address
Create your UCalgary IT account to access your @ucalgary.ca email, Student Portal, and Student Centre. All university communications are sent to this email, so check it regularly.
Get your Unicard
Student cards are available in person in the main lobby of International House You'll need your UCID number and a piece of government-issued picture ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport).
Tuition, fees and deposits
Review your tuition and fees in Student Centre and ensure any required admission deposit is paid by the applicable deadlines.
Register and enrol in courses
Find resources you will need to manage your registration.
Contact your Graduate Program
Graduate program staff handle program-specific forms, requests, administration and processes, and can answer questions about registration, funding, courses and documents you will need.
Visit the Welcome Centre
Are you an incoming student that's new to Calgary? Whether from another country or another province, the Welcome Centre (MSC 275) is here to help you feel at home in Calgary and on campus.
Orientation events
Onboarding modules and hub
Grad Foundations module topics
GRAD Foundations helps you get started in graduate studies at UCalgary. Through self-paced D2L modules, you'll learn about key policies, resources, supports and skills to help you succeed throughout your graduate journey. All incoming graduate students are automatically enrolled.
Understand how you fit within the university community, academic regulations and funding opportunities essential to your graduate journey and how to navigate academic and personal support at UCalgary.
Learn about Indigenous histories, cultures, and ways of knowing, as well as our collective responsibility to reconciliation.
Identify key policies that govern graduate studies, common academic integrity misconducts and how to avoid them, review guidelines on ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence and obtain a primer on research ethics and resources to support responsible ethical scholarship.
Learn about common challenges and well-being practices in the graduate context as well as health and well-being resources and supports at UCalgary.
Learn about practical strategies, available resources and tools for skills development to support your professional and career development throughout your graduate journey.
Understand what Inclusive Excellence, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility mean, why each matter in graduate study at UCalgary, and identify resources for further learning and support.
GRAD HUB: Everything graduate students need in one place
GRAD HUB is your centralized digital support space, bringing together timely information, opportunities and resources to help you make the most of your graduate journey. Designed by experts with input from graduate students, it is built to support you at every stage of your program. Check it out and discover what GRAD HUB has to offer.
Coming Fall 2026!
Quick links for International Students
Indigenous Graduate Student Resources
New to Calgary?
Find a place to live
You can live in residence or off-campus. Living in residence instantly connects you to the campus community. Campus housing for students with families is also available.
Support for your Graduate Journey
Faculty of Graduate Studies
FGS can help you with questions related to registration, tuition and fees, awards and scholarships, working with your supervisor, examinations and thesis submissions.
Apply for scholarships
Search the Graduate Award Database and Awards webpage for funding opportunities, then work with your supervisor or program contact to apply.
Academic Calendar
This calendar is your go-to resource for important dates, deadlines, fees and program requirements.
Stay informed with GRADpost
Stay informed with GRADpost, the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ weekly newsletter sent every Thursday, featuring deadlines, funding opportunities, events and resources.
Know your department
Learn about academic integrity expectations and build connections with your Graduate Program Director, program staff and supervisor.
Learn about academic integrity
Understand academic integrity expectations early. Incidents of plagiarism are taken seriously and may impact your academic standing.
Student/Supervisor relationship
For thesis-based students and some course-based students, your relationship with your supervisor is one of the most important parts of your graduate student experience.
Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
The GSA supports graduate student success through advocacy, services, programs and opportunities to connect, engage and make the most of your UCalgary experience.
Teaching assistant orientation, training and resources
If you plan to work as a Teaching Assistant, complete the Taylor Institute’s online Learning Module for Teaching Assistant Orientation at your own pace.
UPass pick up
The Universal Pass Program (UPass) is a transit sticker applied to the UniCard that entitles full-time graduate students access to Calgary Transit.
Student Success Centre
Access academic support through one-on-one coaching, graduate writing programs, peer mentorship and resources to strengthen your skills and confidence.
Professional development
Professional development through My GradSkills is an opportunity to build academic, professional and career-ready skills through workshops, courses and resources.
Centre for Career & Personal Development (CCPD)
Career development through CCPD provides graduate students with career advising, job search support and resources to help them achieve their professional goals.
Graduate student support and advising
Facing a challenge that is affecting your studies? FGS specialists provide confidential support, guidance and resources to help you succeed.
Who to ask
Not finding the service you need? Go to our Who to Ask Guide to find the services on campus that can help you with inquiries.
Explore our libraries
Speak to Graduate Librarians about accessing research materials and library facilities available to graduate students.
Meet your Subject Librarian
Specialized librarians are here to help you find resources specific to your subject area and more.
The Grad Commons
The Alan MacDonald Graduate Commons on the 5th floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL) is a quiet, card-access study space for graduate students only.
LabNEXT
Lab NEXT offers a Makerspace, virtual reality studio, high-performance computers, collaboration spaces and support for digital research and learning.