Information about Fall 2020
In the Faculty of Education, you're not just a learner, but a teacher, a collaborator, and a member of a vibrant community that strives to create a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable learning environment.
That's why, even though classes will look a little different this year, we are committed to providing a safe, engaging, and transformative learning experience for all of our students.
We know you have questions, and we can't promise to have all the answers, but we can promise that we will do everything possible to keep you informed, updated, and safe as the COVID-19 crisis evolves.
Frequently asked questions
General FAQs
How do I buy/rent my textbooks? Is the Bookstore open?
The UVic Bookstore currently offers services through a kiosk (located in the breezeway at the side of the bookstore), which is open 9-5, Monday-Friday. You can shop online and pick up your purchases at the kiosk during those hours OR have your order shipped to you.
More info about store hours and services: https://www.uvicbookstore.ca/info/
More info about online ordering and shipping: https://www.uvicbookstore.ca/text/faq#online
Are the libraries at UVic open? How do I access library resources?
Is UVic still offering mental health services?
UVic Counselling Services is open. We are offering appointments by phone. Contact us by phone (250-721-8341) to find support options. Explore the Counselling Services website to find more information about wellness resources.
Download handouts for:
Other resources:
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888
- Youthspace.ca online text and chat, 6 p.m.-midnight
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial Aboriginal crisis line for adults/elders (250-723-4050), children/youth (250-723-2040), toll-free line (1-800-588-8717).
- Here2Talk is a confidential, free, single-session BC government service that offers appointments for students by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students can speak to a trained counsellor by phone, toll-free at 1-877-857-3397 or direct at 604-642-5212. Students calling from outside Canada can dial 1-604-642-5212.
Is UVic Health Services open? Can I still see a doctor or nurse on campus?
Yes, UVic Health Services is open! Services are offered almost entirely by telehealth (phone or videochat). Appointments can be made by phone at 250-721-8492. Please do not come in person to make appointments. Learn about changes to UVic health services.
FAQs about online classes/registration
What is the current method of course delivery for Education programs?
How will COVID pass/fail grades affect my sessional GPA?
Please refer to UVic’s Office of the Registrar website for info about GPA calculations. See the “Sessional GPA” tab for a sample calculation.
COM and UVic COVID pass/fail courses are not considered “graded” studies so such courses are omitted from sessional GPA calculations.
What does it mean for a course to be synchronous or asynchronous?
A synchronous online course will be regularly scheduled in the timeslot listed in the timetable. Students will be expected to attend and participate in these “live” online classes, engage in “live” discussions/chat etc. An asynchronous course does not require students to be online at the same time.
Can online courses respect and reflect Indigenous ways of knowing?
Absolutely! Indigenous pedagogy is land and place based. Online learning provides the opportunity to localize the students gaze to where they currently reside. By tailoring activities to engage learners in local experiences they are able to build relevancy with what they are learning.
For example, students in the Indigenous Pedagogy course are asked to identify a place (monument, building, park, waterway, street, neighbourhood etc.) and to research both the settler (dominant) and Indigenous stories of the place. These learning experiences allow them to address their learning gaps and encourages them to provide a richer story of place in their own classrooms.
FAQs about staying connected and meeting new people
I'm new to UVic — how will I make new friends when all of my classes are online?
The Faculty of Education and UVic more broadly are working hard to make sure that your first-year experience is as fulfilling as possible—both academically and socially.
UVic is launching a brand-new program to help you make connections with your classmates and peers. The New Student Connect Program will pair new students with upper-year UVic students. The senior students will help you transition to the university and learn how to navigate academic life. You'll have opportunities to engage in an active online student community, with access to social platforms that enable you to interact with other students socially and academically.
Email getconnected@uvic.ca for more info
As a part of our faculty, you are a part of a community that values kindness, inclusivity, and a collective sense of belonging among all of our students. We have student groups and associations for graduate and undergraduate students. You can join them on social media to get connected with your Education and/or program-specific peers!
Education Students' Association Facebook group
The Education Students' Association (EdSA) is a student run organization that serves the undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education. Each year an elected executive committee and student representatives from different areas in the program represent UVic education students. The Facebook group is used to share information about events, workshops, and more with undergraduate students.
Physical Education, Recreation, and Kinesiology Student Society Facebook page
The Physical Education, Recreation and Kinesiology Student Society (PERKS) is group of students in the School of Exercise Science, Physical, and Health Education (EPHE) creating opportunities for fellow students to progress their academic, community philanthropy, research, and personal endeavours. If you're an EPHE student, be sure to join their Facebook group!
Association of Graduate Education Students Facebook page
The Association of Graduate Education Students (AGES) is a registered association with principles and beliefs to promote and support graduate students' participation and involvement in academic activities. Like their Facebook page for updates!
My First Year @ UVic Facebook group
In addition to Education student groups, there's also groups for UVic students from all programs. This group is an active community of students and staff members who strive to answer questions, give information, and more for first year and transfer students.
Is there a way I can find out about events and work/volunteer opportunities in the Faculty?
Like us on Facebook
Like us on Facebook for updates on the Fall term, student stories, and more.
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for updates on the Fall term PLUS great photos of students and alumni doing incredible work! Be sure to share your own photos usign #UVicEd—we might feature you on our main page!
Follow us on Twitter
We keep our Twitter up-to-date with announcements, resources, and research stories, so be sure to follow us to learn about how our amazing professors are transforming people, professions, and communities every day.
Sign up for our Education newsletter
Every 1-2 weeks, we send out a newsletter to over 2,000 students, faculty, and staff in the Faculty of Education. In each edition, we'll give you info on events, job opportunities, award winners within the Faculty, and more!
International student FAQs
If I am taking classes online, do I still need a study permit?
If you are an international student engaged in online learning inside of Canada, and your program of study is longer than 6 months, you require a valid study permit.
If you are an international student engaged in online learning outside of Canada, you do not require a study permit. However, we recommend applying for a study permit as soon as possible, as you must have a valid study permit or letter of introduction when you arrive to Canada to engage in your studies if your program of study is 6 months or longer. You must also have a valid entry document to enter Canada (electronic travel authorization or temporary resident visa, if required).
Please note, starting your program of study does not guarantee that your study permit will be approved.
In addition, there may be implications to your post-graduation work permit if you start your program without a study permit or study permit approval (letter of introduction).
For more information, please contact International Student Services by e-mail issinfo@uvic.ca or phone +1 250 721 6361 during regular business hours (9:00am-4.30pm Pacific Time).
If all of my classes have been moved online, am I still eligible for the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program?
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, if your in-class courses have been moved to an online format because of COVID-19, you are still eligible for the PGWP Program.
This includes students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program, but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions.
International students in this situation may:
- begin their classes while outside Canada and
- complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.
For more information, please contact International Student Services by e-mail issinfo@uvic.ca or phone +1 250 721 6361 during regular business hours (9:00am-4.30pm Pacific Time).
I'm planning on taking my online classes outside of Canada; will I need to be online at certain times regardless of which time zone I live in?
Teacher Education FAQs
BEd elementary curriculum FAQs
Can a UVic COVID-pass grade be used to satisfy the written English competency (WEC) requirement?
As published on the program website, 3.0 units or two courses of approved English are required. A UVic C+/3.00 minimum is required in each of these two approved English courses to satisfy the WEC requirement.
A UVic COVID-pass is acceptable in place of a UVic C+/3.00 towards this grade requirement.
Grades below a UVic C+/3.00 are not acceptable towards this grade requirement.
For example, the WEC requirement will be satisfied in the following cases:
- A student completes one approved English course (1.5 units) with a grade of UVic C+/3.00 or higher and they choose a UVic COVID-pass grade in the second approved course.
- A student chooses a UVic COVID-pass grade for both approved English courses.
The WEC requirement will not be satisfied in the following case:
- A student completes one or both approved English courses with grades belowUVic C+/3.00.
Can a UVic COVID-pass grade be used to satisfy the math competency requirement?
As published on our program website, 3.0 units or two courses of approved math are required. A minimum average of a UVic C+/3.00 is required on these two approved math courses to satisfy the math competency requirement. For the purposes of this requirement, a UVic COVID-pass grade will be considered equivalent to a UVic D/1.00.
The math competency requirement will be satisfied in the following case:
- A student completes one approved math course (1.5 units) with a grade of UVic B/5.00 or higher and they choose a UVic COVID-pass grade (equivalent to a UVic D/1.00) in the second approved course.
Normally, a UVic COVID-pass grade achieved on both approved math courses will not satisfy the math competency requirement.
Most of my courses are being offered online due to COVID-19. Am I required to complete the face-to-face lab component in order to satisfy the Approved Laboratory Science requirement?
Normally, we require applicants to complete 3 units of Approved Laboratory Science course work that includes 1.5 hours of face-to-face lab instruction per week for each course. Due to COVID-19, we have temporarily waived the face-to-face lab component until April 2021. Therefore, we will accept 3 units of approved laboratory science course work with full online delivery until April 2021.
How will a UVic COVID-pass grade impact my sessional/12-unit GPA?
Program admission eligibility requires a GPA of at least UVic C+/3.00 on your most recent 12-unit/sessional GPA to April of the year you are planning to enter the program. If the most recent session has fewer than 12 units of graded studies, then previous sessional averages will be included until a total of 12 units of graded studies is reached if possible. If an applicant has fewer than 12 units of grade post-secondary studies in total, then we will average all post-secondary studies as described above.
Note: COM and UVic COVID-pass courses are not considered “graded” studies so such courses are omitted from sessional GPA calculations, including this GPA calculation.
While the minimum required GPA is 3.00 (9-point scale, UVic C+), admission is competitive and the actual GPA cut-off may be higher. See our website for more information about admission requirements including selection criteria.
Elementary PDPP FAQs
Can a UVic COVID-pass grade be used to satisfy the written English competency (WEC) requirement?
As published on the program website, 3.0 units or two courses of approved English are required. A UVic C+/3.00 minimum is required in each of these two approved English courses to satisfy the WEC requirement.
A UVic COVID-pass is acceptable in place of a UVic C+/3.00 towards this grade requirement.
Grades below a UVic C+/3.00 are not acceptable towards this grade requirement.
For example, the WEC requirement will be satisfied in the following cases:
- A student completes one approved English course (1.5 units) with a grade of UVic C+/3.00 or higher and they choose a UVic COVID-pass grade in the second approved course.
- A student chooses a UVic COVID-pass grade for both approved English courses.
The WEC requirement will not be satisfied in the following case:
- A student completes one or both approved English courses with grades belowUVic C+/3.00.
Can a UVic COVID-pass grade be used to satisfy the math competency requirement?
As published on our program website, 3.0 units or two courses of approved math are required. A minimum average of a UVic C+/3.00 is required on these two approved math courses to satisfy the math competency requirement. For the purposes of this requirement, a UVic COVID-pass grade will be considered equivalent to a UVic D/1.00.
The math competency requirement will be satisfied in the following case:
- A student completes one approved math course (1.5 units) with a grade of UVic B/5.00 or higher and they choose a UVic COVID-pass grade (equivalent to a UVic D/1.00) in the second approved course.
Normally, a UVic COVID-pass grade achieved on both approved math courses will not satisfy the math competency requirement.
Most of my courses are being offered online due to COVID-19. Am I required to complete the face-to-face lab component in order to satisfy the Approved Laboratory Science requirement?
Normally, we require applicants to complete 3 units of Approved Laboratory Science course work that includes 1.5 hours of face-to-face lab instruction per week for each course. Due to COVID-19, we have temporarily waived the face-to-face lab component until April 2021. Therefore, we will accept 3 units of approved laboratory science course work with full online delivery until April 2021.
How will a UVic COVID-pass grade impact my sessional/12-unit GPA?
Program admission eligibility requires a GPA of at least UVic C+/3.00 on your most recent 12-unit/sessional GPA to April of the year you are planning to enter the program. If the most recent session has fewer than 12 units of graded studies, then previous sessional averages will be included until a total of 12 units of graded studies is reached if possible. If an applicant has fewer than 12 units of grade post-secondary studies in total, then we will average all post-secondary studies as described above.
Note: COM and UVic COVID-pass courses are not considered “graded” studies so such courses are omitted from sessional GPA calculations, including this GPA calculation.
While the minimum required GPA is 3.00 (9-point scale, UVic C+), admission is competitive and the actual GPA cut-off may be higher. See our website for more information about admission requirements including selection criteria.
How will a UVic COVID-pass grade impact my 30-unit grade point average (GPA)?
Program admission eligibility requires a GPA of at least UVic C+/3.00 on your most recent 30 units of course work attempted to December of the year prior to program entry. This GPA will be used to determine the competitive selection of eligible applicants. Therefore, having a stronger 30-unit GPA will increase one’s chances of being selected for admission to the program. Please refer to the program website for an overview of the selection criteria for this program. See the “Selection Criteria” tab.
Note: COM and UVic COVID-pass courses are not considered “graded” studies so such courses are omitted from sessional GPA calculations.
Secondary PDPP FAQs
Can a UVic COVID-pass grade be used to satisfy the written English competency (WEC) requirement?
As published on the program website, 3.0 units or two courses of approved English are required. A UVic C+/3.00 minimum is required in each of these two approved English courses to satisfy the WEC requirement.
A UVic COVID-pass is acceptable in place of a UVic C+/3.00 towards this grade requirement.
Grades below a UVic C+/3.00 are not acceptable towards this grade requirement.
For example, the WEC requirement will be satisfied in the following cases:
- A student completes one approved English course (1.5 units) with a grade of UVic C+/3.00 or higher and they choose a UVic COVID-pass grade in the second approved course.
- A student chooses a UVic COVID-pass grade for both approved English courses.
The WEC requirement will not be satisfied in the following case:
- A student completes one or both approved English courses with grades belowUVic C+/3.00.
Can a UVic COVID-pass grade be used to satisfy a teaching area course requirement?
Yes. A UVic COVID-pass grade can be used to satisfy a teaching area course requirement.
How will a UVic COVID-pass impact my teaching area GPA for admission?
Please visit the program website for the specific admission requirements for all secondary teaching areas (under “teachable subject areas”). The teaching area GPA requirement is explained here on the self-assessment forms for each teaching area (see the “Minimum Grade Point Averages” section).
Education Advising will calculate the teaching area GPA using the following criteria if a student has chosen UVic COVID-pass grade(s):
- While a UVic COVID-pass grade can be used to satisfy a course requirement, it will be excluded from the teaching area GPA calculation.
- If an applicant chooses UVic COVID-pass grades for teaching area course requirements, we will calculate their teaching area GPA based on their graded, approved coursework only. We require a minimum of 9 units of approved, upper-level*, graded course work for this calculation.
* If a student has fewer than 9 units of approved, upper-level coursework with standard grades (non-UVic COVID pass grades), we will use acceptable 200-level coursework to make up the remainder of the required 9 units for the teaching area GPA calculation.
How will a UVic COVID-pass grade impact my sessional/12-unit GPA?
Program admission eligibility requires a GPA of at least UVic C+/3.00 on your most recent 12-unit/sessional GPA to April of the year you are planning to enter the program. If the most recent session has fewer than 12 units of graded studies, then previous sessional averages will be included until a total of 12 units of graded studies is reached if possible. If an applicant has fewer than 12 units of grade post-secondary studies in total, then we will average all post-secondary studies as described above.
Note: COM and UVic COVID-pass courses are not considered “graded” studies so such courses are omitted from sessional GPA calculations, including this GPA calculation.
While the minimum required GPA is 3.00 (9-point scale, UVic C+), admission is competitive and the actual GPA cut-off may be higher. See our website for more information about admission requirements including selection criteria.
How will a UVic COVID-pass grade impact my 30-unit grade point average (GPA)?
Program admission eligibility requires a GPA of at least UVic C+/3.00 on your most recent 30 units of course work attempted to December of the year prior to program entry. This GPA will be used to determine the competitive selection of eligible applicants. Therefore, having a stronger 30-unit GPA will increase one’s chances of being selected for admission to the program. Please refer to the program website for an overview of the selection criteria for this program. See the “Selection Criteria” tab.
Note: COM and UVic COVID-pass courses are not considered “graded” studies so such courses are omitted from sessional GPA calculations.
General teacher education FAQs
I have been admitted to a UVic teacher education program for September 2020. Can I defer my admission for the next intake?
Deferred admission is not an option for teacher education programs.
To decline your offer, email Education Advising at adve@uvic.ca using your preferred email address, as per your UVic My Page settings, and include the name of the program you were admitted to and your UVic student number. If your email is received by July 31, 2020 at the latest, you will receive a partial refund of $100 of the $150 Faculty of Education acceptance deposit. We encourage you to contact us as early as possible if you are declining your offer, as waitlisted applicants will appreciate your consideration in this matter.
If your plans change, we would welcome your application in a future year. An application for the specific year for which you seek program admission would be needed. Application information for September 2021 program admission will be available on our website during the Fall 2020 term.
I’m thinking about applying to a Teacher Education Program next year and I’ve noticed that there are specific experience requirements. Will COVID-19 impact these requirements?
In light of the current COVID-19 situation, the Teacher Education Office recognizes that some volunteer and work opportunities may not be available. Please check the application instructions for September 2021 posted on the teacher education program website in September 2020 for any changes.
I’m a new Teacher Education student and am meant to have a Wednesday visit into schools – will this still happen?
We are working with our local district partners to come up with a plan that, if possible, should include some face to face time in schools, following all provincial health guidelines. You will receive more direction from the Teacher Education Office at the beginning of your program.
I’m in a teacher education program and I need to complete practicum experiences for my degree. How will this have changed with COVID-19?
We are working with our local and provincial district partners to ensure that all students will still be able to complete their practicum requirements. You will receive more direction from the Teacher Education Office at the beginning of your program.