This section will provide a general overview of how York University is structured and what services exist to help you along your academic path.
General Information
Academic Year
The academic year at York is divided into two sessions: the Fall/Winter session and the Summer session. Within these two sessions are three academic terms. The following table shows how these terms are divided.
SESSION |
TERM |
PERIOD |
Fall/Winter | Fall | September –December |
Winter | January –April | |
Summer | Several different terms (ranging from 3-12 weeks, depending on the course offered) | May - August |
For more information visit the site of the Registrar’s Office.
Faculties
York University is divided into Faculties. Each Faculty specializes in an area of study and is composed of different departments or schools.
York is composed the following Faculties. For more information on the programs offered by each Faculty, please click the links below.
- Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies or specific for LA&PS international students
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Environmental Studies
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Faculty of Health
- Osgoode Hall Law School
- Faculty of Science
- Schulich School of Business
- Lassonde School of Engineering
- Glendon College
- Faculty of Graduate Studies
Because York is committed to interdisciplinary education, undergraduate-level students will be able to take courses from several different fields during their time at York, so there is no need to worry about being limited by being in a particular Faculty. At York you can major in one discipline, or easily pursue a double-major. This accomplishment will be acknowledged on your final transcript.
Colleges
York’s college system allows you to become a part of a small community, within the larger university environment. Colleges bring together students and faculty based on their shared academic interests. Additionally, colleges offer co-curricular and extracurricular activities that complement the instructional programs offered by the different Faculties.
Each college is governed by a Master and a peer-elected Student Council, and creates a vibrant, multicultural environment that enhances the university experience of all students.
Program Affiliations
Every undergraduate student is initially assigned to a College when they enter York based on their Faculty and program of study. Graduate-level students are not affiliated with a specific college.
Faculty |
College |
|
Environmental Studies | Founders | |
Fine Arts | Winters | |
Glendon | Glendon | |
Health | Calumet | Psychology, Health Informatics, Heath Management, Health Policy |
Stong | Kinesiology & Health Science, Nursing | |
Lassonde School of Engineering | Bethune | |
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies |
Bethune | Science & Technology Studies |
Calumet | Cognitive Science | |
Founders | African Studies, Anthropology, Canadian Studies, East Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, European Studies, French Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, Geography, German Studies, Health and Society, History, International Development Studies, Italian Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Linguistics, Multicultural and Indigenous Studies, Portuguese Studies, Russian Studies, Sexuality Studies, Social Work, South Asian Studies, Spanish, Urban Studies | |
McLaughlin | Criminology, Global Political Studies, Law & Society, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Science, Sociology, Work and Labour Studies | |
New | Administrative Studies, Disaster and Emergency Management, Human Resources Management, Information Technology | |
Stong | English, Creative Writing, Professional Writing | |
Vanier | Business & Society, Business & Economics, Children's Studies, Classical Studies & Classics, Culture and Expression, Economics, Financial & Business Economics, Hellenic Studies, Humanities, Individualized Studies, Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Social & Political Thought, undecided LAPS majors | |
Winters | Communications Studies | |
Schulich | Calumet | |
Science | Bethune |
Libraries
York University has five different libraries available for you to use. There are photocopiers, printers and scanners available in all libraries. The libraries’ Group Study Rooms are great places to get together with your classmates and work together on a project. Look for the signs throughout the libraries that indicate what volume level is permitted in that area. These signs ensure that you can always find a space to work in that fits your needs.
York University’s Libraries offer you much more than simply shelves of books and great spaces to work. The staff are professionals, trained to help you improve your research skills. Be sure to speak with a librarian about workshops that are being offered.
The Library has produced a special guide just for international students to ensure that you can use this resource to its fullest.
Counseling & Disability Services
York University’s Counselling & Disability Services provide a professional and supportive environment in which all York students have equitable access to a range of services that assist in facilitating their academic success.
Learning Skills Services
If you are having difficulty keeping up with your school work, York’s Learning Skills Services can help you improve your study habits. Workshops include such valuable topics as time-management, note-taking and exam preparation. They offer individual and groups sessions to students at any point in their academic career.
Career Centre
York’s Career Centre can help you along your path to finding employment. Regardless if you are trying to begin a career in your field of study, or are just looking for a way to earn some extra spending money, the Career Centre can help. They offer resume and cover letter writing advice, networking opportunities, interview preparation advice, and opportunities to speak with York alumni about their transition from university to the workforce.
Student Papers and Academic Research Kit (SPARK)
Student Papers and Academic Research Kit (SPARK) is an online guide to writing successful academic papers available to all York students.
Academic Life: Undergraduate Students
Academic Advising
York University has academic advisors trained to help you succeed in your studies. Each faculty has resources that are tailored to their respective specialities and all are happy to meet with you and discuss your academic career and any challenges that you may be facing.
Visit the Academic Advising website to see a complete list of available resources for undergraduate students, divided by faculty, as well to make an appointment to speak with an advisor.
ESL Credit Courses
York’s Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies offers courses designed for students who speak English as a second language (ESL). These credit courses help students improve their English and develop knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an academic program. Students may take these courses as Humanities general education courses or as electives. Visit the ESL homepage to view a complete list of the ESL courses available to you.
ESL Open Learning Centre (ESL OLC)
The ESL Open Learning Centre (ESL OLC) offers FREE weekly English language and academic skills support to English as a Second Language (ESL) students registered in credit courses at York University. The ESL OLC offers help with all aspects of English language communication, learning and academic skills including help with writing, reading, speaking, pronunciation, listening or working on a specific assignment. You can book a one-on-one appointment to get individualized tutoring or sign up for one of our small group sessions or workshops where you can enhance discussion, pronunciation or presentation skills and more!
Writing Centre
The Writing Centre is equipped to help you become a better writer. Advisors are available to review a draft of your essay, discuss difficulties in expressing yourself through writing, and offer constructive feedback about your written communication. You can book an appointment to meet one-on-one with an advisor, or sign up for a group workshop focused on a specific aspect of academic writing.
Fundamentals of Learning
Fundamentals of Learning is a program open to LA&PS students who have been required to withdraw from their studies. This program is designed to help develop the academic and personal skills required for success in university studies. This pass/fail program consists of various academic and personal development components, and is grounded in current theory and practice related to student success, human development, and retention.
Academic Life: Graduate Studies
Current Graduate Students
Up-to-date information on all aspects Graduate-level academic life at York can be found on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
Academic Advising
Academic advising for all students studying at the graduate level is available through specific graduate programs. Speak to your graduate program director to schedule a meeting.
ESL Open Learning Centre (ESL OLC)
The ESL Open Learning Centre (ESL OLC) offers FREE weekly English language and academic skills support to English as a Second Language (ESL) students registered in credit courses at York University. The ESL OLC offers help with all aspects of English language communication, learning and academic skills including help with writing, reading, speaking, pronunciation, listening or working on a specific assignment. You can book a one-on-one appointment to get individualized tutoring or sign up for one of our small group sessions or workshops where you can enhance discussion, pronunciation or presentation skills and more!
Graduate Student Funding
The Faculty of Graduate Studies website lists a number of scholarships, bursaries, and other awards available to graduate students
York Teaching Commons
The Teaching Commons supports the teaching work of Graduate Students at all levels. From Grad Students who are new to York and to teaching in genreal to upper-year Graduate Students preparing to teach their own course, York's teaching Commons can assist you.