Academic Support

When it comes to academics, you're never alone at UVic. There are many supports, services and staff members on campus to help you navigate processes and systems, learn new skills and reach your goals. Don't wait until you're struggling or falling behind--reach out proactively in order to stay ahead!  

Academic Advising | Bookstore | Centre for Academic Communication | Centre for Accessible Learning | Career Services | Computer Help Desk | Co-operative education program | Libraries| Math & Stats Assistance Centre | Office of the Ombudsperson

Academic Advising

Academic advisers help to ensure you are on track to complete your degree and meet your education and career goals. 

Academic advisers support you by:

• • helping you choose courses
  • working with you to develop personal academic plans to ensure graduation requirements are met
  • discussing course load and academic concerns
  • explaining and providing information related to academic processes, such as academic probation and concession
  • providing resources and referrals for career, academic and personal support

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Bookstore

The UVic Bookstore carries all of the course materials you will need for your classes with the option to purchase new, used or digital texts when available. Course-specific textbook listings are available online approximately three weeks prior to the beginning of each term.

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Centre for Academic Communication

At the Centre for Academic Communication (CAC), we help to build and enhance your academic skillset. Our team is available to coach you in managing your time, setting goals and sustaining focus during busy periods. We can also help you craft polished papers, deliver captivating presentations and build skills to retain information for your exams and assessments. Visit our website to book a free appointment in-person or over Zoom with our team or access our user-friendly self-paced resources.

Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)

Are you a student with a documented learning disability, ADHD, mental health issue or physical or sensory disability? Do you have chronic health issues?

If you do, you're encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning. This will allow you to meet with a CAL advisor to develop an academic accommodation plan and be a part of CAL programming.

After you register, we’ll work with you, your instructors and others to create learning environments that are equitable, inclusive and usable. Please note that Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are not sufficient medical documentation and that previous academic accommodations do not necessarily transfer to post-secondary education.

Need a learning strategist or tutor? The Learning Assistance Program is based in CAL. It offers fee-for-service tutors who can help with specific courses content, as well as learning strategists who support you in developing skills and strategies for academic success. You may be eligible for funding programs to cover these services. 

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Career services

At UVic, you can earn while you learn. Whether you have a dream job in mind or are still figuring things out, Career Services offers workshops, programs and one-on-one support to help you: 

Computer Help Desk

The Computer Help Desk provides student support for UVic IT services. We're here to help you get up and running with your Microsoft 365 account, the UVic WiFi network, your Microsoft 365 email, Online tools and more.  

The Help Desk aims to be your one-stop-shot for technology assistance during your time at UVic. Contact us if you want to: 

• Get help with UVic MFA. UVic MFA is required for accessing online resources like Brightspace, UVic email, and Microsoft 365. 
• Get help connecting your devices to the free high-speed UVic WiFi network across campus and in residences. We can also help you connect your gaming console to the BYOD network in your residence room.  
• Get access to Office apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at no cost with your UVic Microsoft 365 account! You’ll also have access to OneDrive, Outlook, OneNote, and more, and be able to download them to your devices. Find out more at our Microsoft 365 microsite. 
• Explore what your Microsoft 365 email and calendar can do. We can help you import your course schedule and Brightspace calendar into your UVic calendar, learn to use Microsoft To-Do to track your tasks and projects, and more! 
• Get help with spotting phishing and scam emails. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Take our phishing awareness course to learn how to protect yourself from phishing. 
• Print to campus printers wirelessly from anywhere via our Mobile Print service. The cost of printing will be automatically charged to your ONECard. 
• Get access to a computer. The Computer Help Desk has PC and Mac workstations available for drop-in use. 
• Book student spaces, including: 
  • Student project rooms that are great for group work, practicing presentations, and doing smote interviews 
  • A digital media studio for audio and video recording, editing, and live steaming. If you need a sign to finally start your podcast, this is it! 

For any other issues related to technology, contact us by email at helpdesk@uvic.ca, by phone at 250-721-7687, or in-person at one of our locations.  We are open seven days a week and are happy to help

Co-operative education program

What if you could take what you love learning in class and try it out in the real world before you graduate? Co-op, also known as co-operative education, helps you gain paid, real-world experience while you're still a student.

• try out different career options
• gain relevant work experience- 66% of UVic co-op students receive a job offer by the time they graduate
• build on your strengths and learn to describe them to employers
• grow a network of contacts and references
• earn over $50,000 over the course of your degree

You can also get involved in Community-Engaged Learning (CEL). CEL is a reciprocal, mutually beneficial partnership between community, faculty and students. You can make a vital impact on the community by contributing your skills, enthusiasm and knowledge.

Libraries

UVic Libraries is more than a place to find books. We also offer a wealth of eBooks, online journal articles, streaming media, workshops, and more. We can help you access cutting-edge resources for academic success. Help is available online and in-person at both libraries: the William C. Mearns Centre for Learning – McPherson Library and the Diana M. Priestly Law Library.

Student academic success

UVic Libraries is your partner in academic success, bringing you:

• research help and citation formatting help
• laptops, cameras. and other equipment for loan
• workshops on academic skills, communication, research, technology and more
• library study rooms and a media creation facilities

Math & Stats Assistance Centre

The Math & Stats Assistance Centre (MSAC) is a friendly collaborative study space where you can work on your 100- and 200-level math and stats courses. They have free tutors available to help; if you are stuck on a concept or a problem, just sign up and the next tutor who supports your course will assist you. Self-paced study materials are available on the MSAC Brightspace. Visit the schedule online to find drop-in hours. MSAC complements, rather than replace, lectures and tutorials. They are not allowed to answer direct questions about assignments that are going to be turned in for marks, but you can get help with similar questions and concepts. 

Office of the Ombudsperson

The Office of the Ombudsperson is an independent and impartial resource for fairness, often acting as a bridge between students and the university. Students consult the ombudsperson on a range of academic, administrative and student life questions. Consultations are confidential.

The Ombudsperson at UVic can help you:

• resolve problems constructively and fairly,
• understand your rights and responsibilities, and
• clarify and navigate policies, procedures and appeal processes
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