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Dear Student,
Warm greetings from London, Canada! We look forward to welcoming you when you arrive for your studies at Western University. Please carefully review the following important pre-arrival information - consider this your guide to Western!
If you have any questions, please email us at goabroad@uwo.ca.
Have a wonderful day!
Fan, Rida, Floranda, Alyssa and Mackenzie
International Learning Team
Western International
goabroad@uwo.ca
Getting Started
Admission Letter
Within the next few weeks, you will receive two emails from the Office of the Registrar with your student number and access code. You will then be able to login and access your admission letter online. (See Acceptance Letter and Visa Information user guide).
Setting up your Western Email Account
Once you receive your student number and access code, you are required to set up your Western email account. Instructions on how to set up your email will be included in the email from the Office of the Registrar.
Important Communication
Moving forward all communication will be sent to your Western email address, including the information on course selection, course enrolment, and decisions/results of your course enrolment, requests and changes. Ensure that you monitor this email regularly.
Course Selection
At the beginning of June, you will receive instructions on how to select courses. Students visiting us for Fall, Winter, and Full Year are required to complete this step in June.
Course Enrolment
Exchange students are not able to self-enrol in courses. At the beginning of July, you will receive information on the course enrolment process, which begins at that time.
Key Dates for the Academic Year
September 7, 2023 - Fall term classes begin
September 15, 2023 - Last day to add a Fall or Full-Year course
October 9, 2023 - Thanksgiving Holiday
October 30 - November 5, 2023 - Fall Reading Week
November 13, 2023 - Last day to drop a Fall or Full-Year course without academic penalty
December 8, 2023 - Fall term classes end
December 9, 2023 - Study day
December 10 - 22, 2023 - Fall term exam period
January 8, 2024 - Winter term classes begins
January 16, 2024 - Last day to add a Winter term course
February 17 - 25, 2024 - Spring Reading Week
March 7, 2024 - Last day to drop a Winter term course without academic penalty
March 29, 2024 - Good Friday holiday
April 8, 2024 - Winter term classes end
April 9-10, 2024 - Study days
April 11 - 30, 2024 - Final exam period
Fees
As an exchange student, you pay tuition to your home university. However, exchange students are required to pay the following fees to Western:
Health Insurance
While in Canada and registered at Western, you will be automatically enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
This plan is mandatory for all international students. While UHIP covers most doctor and hospital visits, it does not include supplemental coverage for health care needs such as prescription medications, massage therapy, dental care, physiotherapy, etc. Therefore, we strongly recommend for you to buy a supplementary health insurance, in addition to UHIP.
For information about Health and Wellness, and UHIP please visit our website.
Student Card
You will also be required to obtain a Western student card, also known as the “Western ONECard,” for $35. Details on obtaining your Western ONECard.
Bus Pass
Please be advised that all undergraduate students at Western, including exchange students will be charged approximately $300 for the London Transit/University Students’ Council bus pass (valid from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024). The bus pass is mandatory for Fall term and full-year exchange students. Winter term exchange students will have the option to purchase a bus pass through London Transit.
Your Western ONECard will function as your bus pass.
Housing
All exchange students registered to attend Western for the Fall term or Full Year will receive information about applying for on-campus housing in May. Please note that on-campus housing is not guaranteed. Students attending Western for the Winter term will receive information about applying for on-campus housing in October 2023.
Information on how to apply for on-campus residence will be sent to your Western email account from our Housing department in the coming months. Residence spaces are generally offered based on the order of applications received and students are only eligible to apply for on-campus housing after they receive their exchange admission letter.
Assistance Finding Off-Campus Housing
Exchange students may not be offered an on-campus accommodation offer, or may prefer to arrange off-campus housing. Information about renting accommodation off-campus is available online through our Off-Campus Housing Services.
From May to August, Western's housing team provides personalized assistance with your housing search in London, Ontario, even if you aren't in Canada yet. This service is only available to international and/or exchange students studying at Western. They can provide:
- Customized housing searches
- Personal property viewings on your behalf
- Assistance with your questions about off-campus housing, London services and amenities.
Email ocha@housing.uwo.ca to connect with this team.
Visas & Immigration
If you want to study for more than six months:
- You must apply for a study permit if you don’t have Canadian citizenship or Permanent Residency
If you want to study for six months or less:
- You are not required to have a study permit.
- You may need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), depending on your nationality.
However, it's recommended that you apply for a study permit, even if it's not required:
- If you wish to study longer than six months, you can apply to extend your study permit before it expires and you will have maintained status to stay in Canada and continue studying while you wait for your new study permit.
- If you wish to have authorization to work on campus during your studies, you may do so if you have a study permit and you’re registered as a full-time student.
Please note that on-campus employment is not encouraged or guaranteed and you should not rely upon income in Canada during your exchange to support your living expenses. Also, please note that international exchange students are not permitted to work off campus during their stay in Canada.
Applying for your Study Permit or Visas
In order to apply for a study permit and/or visas, you will need a copy of your admission letter, your passport, and a letter of financial support. Once your study permit is approved, remember to travel with your Letter of Introduction and show that to the immigration officials upon arrival in order to obtain your study permit.
Please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for application forms and instructions.
Plan to travel to the US while you're here?
If you plan to visit the United States before, during or after your exchange, it is recommended that you apply for a US Visa prior to your arrival in Canada.
Travel & COVID-19 Considerations
Effective October 1, 2022, all travellers entering Canada no longer have to:
- submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website
- provide proof of vaccination
- undergo pre- or on-arrival testing
- carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation
- undergo health checks for travel on air and rail
- wear masks on planes and trains
- monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.
For more information on border and travel measures please review the Government of Canada Travel, Testing and Borders website.
Travel requirements continue to change so it is important to continue monitoring our International Arrival website in the months ahead. You may also visit our International Arrival website for a full list of recommended steps to travel to Canada.
For the latest updates on Western's response and resources related to COVID-19, visit uwo.ca/coronavirus.
Get to Know Your Future Home
Discover London
Known as “The Forest City,” London is a welcoming community that is safe, clean and affordable, with all the diversity and conveniences of a big city. For more information on London, visit Your London Calling - a website built by students for students with information about transportation, settling in, having fun and much more!
Explore Western
Founded in 1878, Western is known for delivering an exceptional learning experience that engages the best and brightest people, challenging them to meet ever-higher standards in the classroom and beyond. And we know you'll love our beautiful campus - alive with opportunities to learn, connect, grow and have fun along the way. Below are some resources you may wish to explore before you arrive:
Orientation
An orientation for exchange students will take place within the first week of September, along with a general orientation for all international students. Watch your email for details.
We also encourage exchange students to sign up for the undergraduate campus-wide orientation week (O-Week) during the first week of September. It's a great way to meet friends, and connect with important services and programs across campus!
Campus Map & Mobile App
Get yourself acquainted with our campus map. You can also download WesternU mobile app for up-to-date news and information, maps, bus schedules, locations of eateries on campus, access to libraries and other important resources.
Connect with Western International
Friendly staff and volunteers are available to assist you and provide details about our services, Western, London, social events, immigration, food, health care and much more!
Get tips on our International & Exchange Student Centre website for planning your trip, what to do when you arrive, getting around London, money matters, safety and general student life. Weekly programs and services keep you connected to other students and the Western community!
Contact us at goabroad@uwo.ca or by calling +1-519-661-2111 ext. 89309.
When you arrive, be sure to visit!
Western International is located in the centre of campus in the International & Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB). Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (EDT). Our International Learning Coordinators are available to assist you with settling in, or any questions you may have.
Please note that Monday, September 4, 2023 is a national holiday and the offices at Western University are closed. Classes start September 7, 2023.
Follow us on Social Media
Instagram @westernuinternational
Twitter @westernuintl
Facebook: @westernuinternational
Join our Facebook group, Western International Learning Experiences, to connect with other inbound exchange students, as well as Western students who will be travelling abroad next year on exchange!
