January 2026 Orientation

New Student Campus Tours

Sunday, January 4 to Thursday, January 8, 2026

Starting in the Jamie Cassels Centre lobby

Get ready for your first week of classes with a UVic campus tour! All new students starting in January are encouraged to sign up for one of the following tours:

• Sunday, January 4 at 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 6 at 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, January 8 at 10 a.m.

You'll be given your tour by current UVic students who will show you the campus services and resources UVic offers. You'll also get to learn about some of the favourite campus hangouts, including faculty buildings, athletic facilities, dining services and more.

Register for New Student Campus Tours

New Student Welcome Event

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Vertigo, on the main floor of the Student Union Building

All undergraduate and graduate students starting their UVic journey in January 2026 and September 2025 are invited to join this fun welcome event. You will connect with peers from all faculties, be officially welcomed to UVic by students and a treasured Elder, and learn from the experiences of current UVic students. We can't wait to kick off your UVic journey together!

Register for New Student Welcome Event

New Student Info Fair

Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Jamie Cassels Centre lobby

Drop by the Jamie Cassels Centre lobby to connect with UVSS advocacy groups and campus services. Grab a resource, chat with different campus representatives, and learn about the many resources and supports available to you as a UVic student. We can’t wait to see you there!

Student Life Hub Drop-in Days

Monday, January 5 to Friday, January 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Student Life Hub, in the Jamie Cassels Centre

Stop by the Student Life Hub during your first week of class to meet other new students, grab a warm beverage and enter daily prize draws. These drop-in style events will be an amazing opportunity to make friends, get to know the resources available to you, and build your own community on campus.

Monday, January 5: Warm Welcome Social
Stop by the hub on the first day of class to grab a free hot chocolate, get help navigating campus and connect with other new students.

Tuesday, January 6: Board Game Social
Come alone or bring your friends to join in on a game with other new students. Many table and card games to chose from.

Wednesday, January 7: Speed Friending
Make new friends in a fun speedy way by joining a few rounds of speed friending. Students will be given conversation prompts to engage in short, timed conversations. Each round you will connect other students in pairs or small groups.

Thursday, January 8: New Student Info Fair
Meet the Office of Student Life team as part of the New Student info fair taking place in the Jamie Cassels Centre lobby.

Friday, January 9: Dorm Room Glow Up Crafting Social
Join the First Year Fridays team in crafting some decorations for your dorm room or bedroom.

International Student Welcome

Friday, January 9, 2026 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Room BWC B150, Bob Wright Centre

As an international student, you have a unique experience transitioning to university and life in Canada, so we've designed an orientation program just for you. The International Student Welcome event introduces you to UVic staff and current students who will help you settle in to life at UVic.

• Make new connections while discovering important campus resources 
• Meet the International Centre for Students team 
• Learn about immigration documents, health insurance, and other important topics 
• Connect with other new and returning students as well as Global Community volunteers 

For registration after January 6, please email gcmentor@uvic.ca with your full name, V number, and any dietary restrictions or accessibility needs. We look forward to welcoming you to UVic.

Register for International Student Welcome

Global Community cheers on the VIKES basketball team 

Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. 

CARSA Performance Gym

After our International Student Welcome ends at 7:30 p.m., we invite you to join us as we walk over to the CARSA Performance Gym to cheer on the VIKES basketball team as they face the University of the Fraser Valley.

International Student Orientation Programs 

December, January and February 

In addition to the International Student Welcome event, don't miss out on the additional International Student Orientation Programming organized by the International Centre for Students in December, January and February. These events and information sessions will help you start your journey as a UVic student by sharing information about living in Victoria and connecting you with campus partners to learn about resources available to support you. 

Start preparing now with these past recorded sessions:

• Getting Started 
• Ready to Rent
• Support for your Family
• Health Insurance
• Working in Canada 

Check out the rest of our video resources for international students for more tips for your transition to UVic.

View the full schedule for International Student Orientation Programs

Indigenous Student Welcome

Monday, January 5 to Friday, January 9, 2026

The Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) hosts a full week of programming for Indigenous students from Monday, January 5 to Friday, January 9. Whether you're new to the university life or transitioning from another institution, this week is packed with activities and resources to support you every step of the way.

Indigenous students are invited to drop into the Ceremonial Hall at the First Peoples House each day to learn and connect with the supports and resources available to them on and off campus.

Follow IACE on social media for more details:

• Facebook: facebook.com/UVicIACE
• Instagram: instagram.com/UVicIACE
• Mailing List: sign up for the IACE mailing list

If you have any questions regarding the Indigenous student welcome, please visit our webpage or contact the IACE Events Coordinator at lydiapen@uvic.ca.

Residence Move-in and Orientation

Friday, January 2 to Sunday, January 4, 2026

Residence Move-In for January arrivals will take place over the first weekend of January, with move-in beginning on Friday, January 2.  Students will receive an email to sign-up for a January time slot. Additional updates and information on the move in process is available on the  Residence Services website.

All students moving into Residence are strongly encouraged to participate in Residence Orientation programming. Residence Orientation for incoming students takes place over the weekend of January 2-4, and includes the opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow new residents, participate in crafting sessions, a movie night, campus tours, and much more! No registration is needed for orientation, and each resident will receive an orientation schedule on move-in day and will be emailed a copy in advance.

Commuter Student Social

Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. 

Welcome Centre presentation room, in the Jamie Cassels Centre

Students are invited to drop by the Student Life Hub in the Jamie Cassels Centre for an afternoon of fun and community connection. Meet other students, connect with student leaders, learn fun crafts, eat snacks, and play games! This drop-in style event will be an amazing opportunity to make friends, get to know the resources available to you, and start building your UVic community.

Register for Commuter Student Social

Transfer and Mature Student Coffee

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. 

Student Life Hub, in the Jamie Cassels Centre

Stop by the Student Life Hub for coffee and to connect with other new transfer and mature students.