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Live + Connect at UAlberta

Campus Life

Practical resources for finding a home, getting around, using your ONEcard, finding food support, navigating everyday campus services, understanding your rights and joining campus media.

Sources last verified September 4, 2026

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Housing + Settling In

6On-campus residence, International House, off-campus housing and practical arrival guidance.

  • University of Alberta International Student and Visitor Services

    International Student Housing Hub

    A starting point for international students comparing on-campus residence, off-campus rentals and temporary accommodation.

    • This is settlement and housing guidance, not immigration advice.
    • Review options early and use the current Residence Services or rental provider pages for availability and applications.
    • New international students
    • Students comparing housing types

  • University of Alberta Residence Services

    Residence Services + Applications

    Compare university residences, contracts, meal-plan arrangements, applications, move-in information and resident services.

    • Do not rely on a copied guarantee, price or application deadline; confirm the current rules for your student type and term.
    • Applications, offers, deposits, contracts and deadlines are managed through the live Residence Services process.
    University of Alberta
    • Students wanting on campus housing
    • Current residents

  • University of Alberta Residence Services

    International House

    A North Campus residence designed around intercultural community among international and Canadian students.

    • International House includes both international and Canadian residents; admission is not inferred from international-student status.
    • Check the residence profile for current eligibility, application process, room types and availability.
    University of Alberta
    • Students seeking intercultural residence life
    • International students
    • Canadian students

  • University of Alberta International Student and Visitor Services

    Off-Campus Housing Guidance

    Guidance for searching for rentals, evaluating listings, understanding leases and reducing rental-scam risk.

    • Tenant rights and lease obligations are separate from study-permit rules.
    • The university does not guarantee independent listings or private landlords. Inspect housing, understand the agreement and verify who you are dealing with before sending money.
    University of Alberta
    • Students renting off campus
    • Students comparing neighbourhoods or roommates

  • University of Alberta International Student and Visitor Services

    Winter in Edmonton

    Practical guidance on cold weather, layering, footwear, wind chill and preparing for Edmonton winters.

    • This page is included as settlement guidance, not as health or immigration information.
    • Use live weather alerts and forecasts for daily decisions; this guide is general preparation advice.
    University of Alberta
    • Students new to cold climates
    • Students planning winter clothing

  • University of Alberta International Student and Visitor Services

    Prepare for UAlberta

    Packing and arrival guidance, including documents, luggage, clothing and items that may be easier to purchase after arrival.

    • Immigration documents and entry requirements are owned by the immigration page and are not reproduced here.
    • Check airline, customs and residence rules separately because they can change and may depend on your itinerary or room assignment.
    • New international students
    • Students preparing to travel

Getting Around

2Campus maps, public transit and the U-Pass/Arc Card system.

  • University of Alberta Students' Union

    U-Pass + Arc Card

    Explains how the student U-Pass works through the regional Arc Card fare system and where to check eligibility or activation.

    • Transit access does not depend on citizenship, but eligibility and fees depend on current university rules and registration status.
    • Check Bear Tracks and the U-Pass application for your current assessment and card status. Do not assume eligibility from enrolment alone.
    University of Alberta
    • Students using public transit
    • Students checking u pass status

  • University of Alberta

    Campus Maps

    Maps and building information for North Campus, South Campus, Augustana, Campus Saint-Jean, Enterprise Square and Calgary Centre.

    • Use the current map interface for building names, entrances, facilities and accessibility information.
    • Finding buildings
    • Planning accessible routes
    • Visiting an unfamiliar campus

Campus Access + Services

15ONEcard, printing, InfoLink, SUB, the Bookstore and student registries.

  • University of Alberta ONEcard

    ONEcard

    The official student identification card used for campus access and services such as library borrowing, purchases, printing, residence laundry and eligible meal plans.

    • Bring the identification currently required by ONEcard when collecting the card; requirements can change.
    • Follow the live ONEcard instructions for photo submission, pickup, replacement, account holds and deposits.
    • New students
    • Students replacing or managing a card
    • Students using ONEcard cash

  • University of Alberta ONEcard

    Printing, Copying + Scanning

    Instructions for sending print jobs from a personal device and releasing, copying or scanning at eligible ONEcard multifunction printers.

    • Check the live page for supported networks, current prices, job-retention time and refund procedures.
    • Students printing coursework
    • Students using campus printers

  • University of Alberta Students' Union

    UASU InfoLink

    A student-led campus information network for directions, lost and found, event tickets, selected ONEcard services and referrals to the right campus resource.

    • InfoLink can help route international students to the appropriate university service but does not replace licensed immigration advice.
    • Locations and staffing hours can vary. Check the live page before travelling to a specific desk.
    University of Alberta
    • Students unsure where to ask
    • Lost and found
    • ONEcard service questions

  • University of Alberta Students' Union

    What's in the Students' Union Building

    A floor-by-floor directory of SUB food vendors, shops, banking machines, student services, campus media, study areas and event spaces.

    • Individual tenants, vendors and service hours can change; use the live directory.
    • Finding services in sub
    • Food and shopping on north campus
    • New students learning the building

  • University of Alberta Bookstore

    University of Alberta Bookstore

    Official source for textbooks, digital course materials, lab kits, PPE, stationery, supplies and U of A merchandise.

    • Check pickup, shipping and return rules before ordering from outside Edmonton or Canada.
    • Confirm the exact title, edition, access code, lab kit or PPE requirements with your syllabus or instructor before purchasing.
    University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
    • Buying course materials
    • Lab and program supplies
    • UAlberta merchandise

  • UASU InfoLink

    UASU Student-Life Registries

    A central starting point for the Housing, Used Book, Jobkin and Volunteer registries managed or linked by InfoLink.

    • Job listings do not determine whether you are legally authorized to work; use the immigration page for work rules.
    • Listings can be user-submitted. Verify identities, item details, housing, jobs and arrangements independently before sharing information or money.
    • Finding used books
    • Student housing listings
    • Jobs and volunteering

  • UASU InfoLink

    Used Book Registry

    A peer listing service for buying and selling used textbooks directly with other students.

    • Listing details are supplied by users. Confirm the title, author, edition, ISBN, condition and required access codes before paying.
    • Lower cost textbooks
    • Selling used course books

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Hanson Fitness + Lifestyle Centre

    The main campus gym, on two levels inside the Van Vliet Complex on North Campus, with cardio, free weights and resistance equipment.

    • The Athletic and Recreation fee is charged with tuition, so for most registered students the gym is already paid for. Check the locations and hours page before going: hours change between terms and over holidays.
    • Everyone entering needs a ONEcard or a Van Vliet Complex membership card to tap in. Students who have paid the Athletic and Recreation fee already have access for the terms they are registered in, and there is nothing else to buy.
    University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
    • Gym
    • Fitness
    • Recreation

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Saville Fitness Centre

    A 3,000 sq ft fitness centre on the second floor of the Saville Community Sports Centre on South Campus, with a full complement of fitness equipment.

    • Worth knowing before you travel out there: your ONEcard alone does not open this one. If you only want a gym, Hanson on North Campus is the one your fees already cover.
    • South Campus. Unlike the Van Vliet Complex, this is not covered by the Athletic and Recreation fee. U of A students, staff and alumni get a discounted rate, but you buy a membership or a drop-in pass at the customer service desk.
    University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
    • Gym
    • Fitness
    • Recreation

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    What your Athletics and Recreation fee already covers

    Most students pay the Athletics and Recreation Fee with tuition, which turns your ONEcard into access to the Van Vliet Complex on North Campus: the pools, the climbing centre, the gyms and the fitness centre.

    • This is one of the most valuable things already included in your fees and one of the most commonly missed. If you are budgeting for a gym membership in Edmonton, check this first.
    • Tap in with your ONEcard. Nothing else to buy while you are registered and paying the fee. Students taking a term off pay $24.97 a month, or $10 for a single drop-in pass, bought at the customer service desk in 1-241 Van Vliet Complex.
    University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
    • Recreation
    • Gym
    • Swimming

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Aquatics Centre: swimming pools

    Two pools in the Van Vliet Complex on North Campus. Students swim on a drop-in basis. The East Pool is a six-lane, 25-yard pool kept warmer and shallower, used for recreational swims and learn-to-swim. The West Pool is a T-shaped tank with six lanes at 25 metres and six at 25 yards, kept cooler for lap swimming, with a deep end, a diving board and a swinging rope.

    • Free lane swimming is unusual to find in a Canadian city at this price, and the pool is warm and indoors all winter. For lessons or a group booking, email aquatics@ualberta.ca.
    • U of A students, staff and faculty swim on a drop-in basis with a ONEcard. Check the swimming drop-in schedule before you go: lane and recreational swim times change through the week. Alumni and community members buy a membership or a drop-in pass.
    University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
    • Swimming
    • Swim
    • Pool

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Wilson Climbing Centre

    A climbing gym in the Van Vliet Complex with a 2,700 sq ft bouldering lounge and a high wall loft holding over 7,000 sq ft of climbing, including 19 top-rope anchors, 16 lead anchors and two adaptable anchors.

    • Certified instructors teach everything from basic bouldering to lead climbing, and adaptable anchors are available. Group sessions cost $130 for two hours including instructor and gear. Email climbing@ualberta.ca.
    • Full-time U of A students in Fall and Winter term climb on a drop-in basis for free. Staff and faculty get a discounted rate. Shoes, harnesses and other gear can be rented on site, so you do not need to own anything to start.
    University of Alberta
    • Climbing
    • Bouldering
    • Rock climbing

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Green + Gold Gymnasiums

    Two hardwood gyms in the Van Vliet Complex. The Green Gym is an 18,000 sq ft space best known for drop-in basketball. The Gold Gym is a 7,360 sq ft space used mostly for drop-in badminton, plus volleyball, dance and martial arts.

    • Drop-in basketball and badminton are among the easiest ways to meet people without joining anything or committing to a schedule. Turn up, no team required.
    • Students, staff and faculty drop in with a ONEcard. Full-time students in Fall and Winter term drop in to the Gold Gym for free. Change rooms, including universal change rooms, are on site.
    University of Alberta
    • Basketball
    • Badminton
    • Volleyball

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Drop-in activities on North Campus

    Fourteen activities you can turn up to at the Van Vliet Complex without registering: badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, climbing, dance, gaming, group fitness, pickleball, running, skating, soccer, stick and skate, swimming and volleyball.

    • Schedules change between terms and are published per activity, so check the schedule for the one you want rather than assuming. This is the lowest-commitment way to be active on campus: no team, no registration, no fee beyond what you already pay.
    • Bring your ONEcard or proof of payment. Space is first come, first served, and sport-specific time limits apply so everyone gets a turn. Return equipment and drop-in passes 30 minutes before the facility closes. Organised league play, coaching and team practices are not allowed during drop-in times.
    University of Alberta
    • Drop in
    • Swimming
    • Basketball

  • Campus & Community Recreation

    Court reservations and facility bookings

    Book a court time slot for squash, racquetball, wallyball, tennis or table tennis, or rent a whole facility for an event or a group.

    • For private or group bookings in the Van Vliet Complex, contact 780-492-7424 or bookings@ualberta.ca. Allow three business days for a reply, and note that submitting a request does not confirm the space.
    • Court slots are reserved through the activity registration system, and every participant needs their own account and their own reservation for the slot. Registering one person twice does not hold a second place and will stop you getting in.
    University of Alberta
    • Squash
    • Racquetball
    • Wallyball

Food + Everyday Money

7Low-barrier food access, supplementary groceries and practical financial-literacy support.

  • Campus Food Bank

    Campus Food Bank

    Free supplementary groceries and food-access support for eligible members of the U of A community who are having difficulty affording food.

    • Seeking food support does not require the site to disclose immigration details; contact the Food Bank if you have questions about current eligibility.
    • Use the current client page for registration, appointments, eligibility, urgent-need contact options and accessibility assistance.
    campusfoodbank.com
    • Students experiencing food insecurity
    • Students needing supplementary groceries

  • Campus Food Bank

    UAlberta Community Food Pantry

    A take-what-you-need community pantry in Rutherford Library Galleria, operated by the Campus Food Bank and supported by donations.

    • The pantry is generally available when Rutherford Library is open; check the live site and library schedule for current access.
    uofapantry.com
    • Students needing a small amount of food quickly
    • Community members donating food

  • University of Alberta Student Financial Support

    Money Talks Financial Literacy

    Practical financial-literacy information and workshops on budgeting, paying for school and understanding student financial choices.

    • This resource does not replace the immigration page's proof-of-funds requirements or licensed immigration advice.
    • Use the live page for current workshops, registration and downloadable resources.
    • Students building a budget
    • Students learning about financial support

  • Campus Food Bank

    Community Pantry, Rutherford Library

    A drop-in pantry in the Rutherford Library Atrium. Take up to five items per visit, anonymously, any time the library is open.

    • This is the lowest-barrier food support on campus: no appointment, no intake form, no one asking why. If you are between grocery trips or waiting on money to arrive, this is the fastest option.
    • Open to anyone with a valid ONEcard, whenever Rutherford Library is open. You do not need to be a Campus Food Bank client and you do not register.
    campusfoodbank.com
    • Food support
    • Anonymous
    • Drop in

  • Campus Food Bank

    WECAN Food Basket

    A monthly bulk-buying program for low-cost fruit, vegetables and meat, open to the whole campus community.

    • This is a buying program rather than a hamper, so there is no financial-need assessment. It is a straightforward way to cut grocery costs.
    • Order online for a monthly pickup. Open to the campus community, not only to Food Bank clients.
    campusfoodbank.com
    • Groceries
    • Low cost
    • Monthly

  • Campus Food Bank

    Grocery Bus

    A monthly Saturday shuttle to No Frills for students who need a ride to a grocery store further from campus.

    • Useful in your first months if you have not worked out the bus routes yet, or in winter when carrying groceries home is genuinely hard.
    • Registration is recommended; walk-ins are welcome. Check the Campus Food Bank site for the next date.
    campusfoodbank.com
    • Groceries
    • Transport
    • Monthly

  • Campus Food Bank

    Weekly Free Breakfast

    A free breakfast handed out on Wednesday mornings from 8:30am until it runs out, at SUB and at Campus Saint-Jean.

    • No questions asked and no paperwork, which makes it an easy first contact with the Campus Food Bank if using a food bank feels like a big step.
    • Open to all students. No registration, no eligibility check. Turn up before it runs out.
    • Food support
    • Free
    • Weekly

Rights + Practical Help

4Student-focused legal assistance and practical scam-prevention information.

  • University of Alberta International Student and Visitor Services

    Scam Awareness for International Students

    Guidance on recognizing common phone, email, rental, employment and impersonation scams that may target international students.

    • Immigration authorities do not resolve cases through gift cards or coercive payment demands. Use the immigration page for legitimate permit and status questions.
    • Do not send money, identification or account credentials in response to pressure or threats. Verify a request independently through an official contact channel.
    • New international students
    • Students receiving suspicious requests or threats

  • Student Legal Services of Edmonton

    Student Legal Services of Edmonton

    A law-student-run clinic offering free legal information and assistance within defined civil, family, criminal, human-rights and other project scopes.

    • The clinic is not a substitute for a licensed immigration adviser unless it explicitly confirms that a matter falls within its current service scope.
    • Eligibility and scope depend on the project, legal issue, court or tribunal and sometimes income. Contact the relevant project before relying on assistance.
    slsedmonton.comslsedmonton.com
    • Undergraduates with landlord tenant or employment issues
    • Students seeking legal information
    • Eligible low income edmonton residents

  • University of Alberta Students' Union

    Run for a UASU elected position

    The Students' Union executive (President and four Vice-Presidents), plus Students' Council, elected by undergraduates every March.

    • These are real paid jobs, not volunteer roles, and international students have held them. Confirm with the UASU how the position interacts with your study permit's work conditions before you nominate, because a full-time paid role is not the same as on-campus part-time work.
    • Executive positions are full-time, salaried roles held for a one-year term while you are a student. Candidates are nominated ahead of the general election each March; the UASU publishes the current nomination window and remuneration.
    University of Alberta
    • Leadership
    • Paid work
    • Advocacy

  • Graduate Students' Association

    Run for a GSA Directly-Elected Officer position

    The GSA's elected officers (President, VP Academic, VP External, VP Indigenous Relations, VP Student Life, VP Student Services, and Associate VP Labour), elected by graduate students each February.

    • These are paid positions carrying a stipend, not volunteer roles. The GSA is also the body that negotiates the graduate assistantship collective agreement, so they carry real influence over funding and working conditions. Ask the GSA about the stipend and the time commitment, and check how a paid position sits with your permit's work conditions before you nominate.
    • Nominations open ahead of the February general election. Graduate students also elect ten Councillors-at-Large to GSA Council.
    University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
    • Leadership
    • Paid work
    • Advocacy

Student Media

2Student journalism, radio, podcasting and media volunteering.

  • First Alberta Campus Radio Association

    CJSR 88.5 FM

    Independent, listener-supported community radio based at U of A, with live programming, on-demand content and volunteer opportunities.

    • Volunteer participation can build community; paid work, if offered, may be subject to immigration work rules covered on the immigration page.
    • Use the live site for the current schedule, stream, volunteer intake, accessibility details and contact information.
    • Students interested in radio or podcasting
    • Media volunteers
    • Listeners seeking independent programming

  • Gateway Student Journalism Society

    The Gateway

    Independent student journalism covering U of A news, opinion, arts, culture and campus life, with opportunities for student contributors.

    • Volunteer and paid roles can have different immigration implications; consult the immigration page before accepting paid work.
    • Any current volunteer intake, contributor expectations and scholarships should be confirmed on the live site.
    thegatewayonline.ca
    • Following campus news
    • Students interested in writing photography illustration or design
    • Media volunteers

Questions

Housing, transportation, food, and campus safety

All 14 questions in this topic

  • Start with UAlberta Residence Services and the ISVS housing page. Residence may be simpler for first-year students because it reduces commute, furniture, utilities, and lease complexity. Off-campus housing can be cheaper or more flexible but requires more caution about leases, scams, deposits, transit, and winter travel.

    SourcesFind housing - ISVSResidence Services

  • UAlberta advertises guaranteed housing for eligible first-year undergraduate students, including new international undergraduates, who apply to Edmonton-campus residence by the stated deadline. Deadlines and conditions matter, so check the current guaranteed-housing page rather than relying on old posts.

    SourcesGuaranteed housingApply to live in residence

  • International House is a UAlberta residence community for upper-year undergraduate and graduate students from Canada and around the world. It emphasizes global education, intercultural community, and residence life, and a strong option for students who want a more international living-learning environment.

    SourcesResidence Services

  • Do not send large deposits before verifying the landlord, unit, lease terms, and legitimacy of the listing. Be cautious if the landlord refuses a video tour, pressures you to pay immediately, asks for unusual payment methods, or offers rent far below market value. Use UAlberta housing resources, local tenant information, and trusted contacts before signing.

    SourcesFind housing - ISVS

  • U-Pass is a transit pass connected to UAlberta student enrollment and student association agreements. It provides access to participating Edmonton-region transit systems for eligible students. Check current eligibility, fees, activation instructions, and opt-out rules on the official U-Pass page.

    SourcesU-PassGetting around - ISVS

  • Pedways are indoor, heated walkways, tunnels, and bridges that connect parts of North Campus. They are useful in winter because you can move between some major buildings with less outdoor exposure. Learn the routes around your own classes first, and use campus maps or signage when planning a new route because not every building is connected indoors.

    SourcesGetting around - ISVSCampus maps

  • Start with nearby mainstream grocery stores for basics, then ask student groups, roommates, and local community groups about stores that carry ingredients from your region. Edmonton has many international and specialty markets, including East and Southeast Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, halal, African, Latin American, and European grocery options. Check transit time, winter travel, prices, and whether bulk buying is realistic before you shop far from campus.

    SourcesGetting around - ISVS

  • UAlberta is an urban campus, so use normal city safety habits: travel with others when possible, plan transit, keep your phone charged, and avoid isolated routes late at night. UASU Safewalk is a volunteer-run service that can accompany students on or near campus when operating. Check current Safewalk hours before relying on it.

    SourcesSafewalk - UASU

  • Yes. The Campus Food Bank supports U of A community members experiencing difficulty affording groceries, including international students. Register through its client-information page using your UAlberta email and book an appointment.

    1. Open the client page and select 'REGISTER OR BOOK an appointment'.
    2. Complete the registration/booking instructions and bring your own bags.
    3. Visit SUB 1-81 at your appointment time.
    4. If no appointments are available and your need is urgent, call 780-492-8677 or email info@campusfoodbank.com.

    Before you rely on this

    • The service provides supplementary groceries, not a complete monthly food budget.
    • The provider states that client data is not shared with the university or government agencies; anonymized reporting is separate.

    SourcesCampus Food Bank: registration and groceriesCampus Food Bank

  • Call 911 if there is immediate danger. For non-emergency campus concerns, use UAlberta safety resources and building staff where appropriate. If the issue involves harassment, discrimination, violence, or misconduct, UAlberta has offices that can explain reporting and support options.

    SourcesNeed Help NowSafe Disclosure and Human Rights

  • For a fire or life-threatening emergency, call 911 first, then U of A Protective Services at 780-492-5050 and your residence office or RA. For urgent facility issues such as flooding, contact your residence office or RA immediately. After business hours, call Campus Control Centre at 780-492-4833.

    1. Move away from immediate danger and make the appropriate emergency call.
    2. Give your residence, unit number, exact location and a short description.
    3. After calling, submit a residence maintenance request to document the issue and note whom you contacted.

    Before you rely on this

    • For Augustana, select option 3 when calling Campus Control Centre.
    • Do not rely on an online maintenance ticket alone for an urgent flood or safety risk.
    • These maintenance contacts serve university-managed residences; private rentals have a different route.

    SourcesContact Residence Services: emergenciesResidence maintenance requests

  • For immediate danger, leave the unsafe area and call 911. Report an urgent leak, heating failure or building problem to your landlord or property manager's emergency contact. University Residence Services does not manage repairs in privately rented homes.

    1. Call the property's emergency number and follow up in writing with the address, problem and photos taken only if safe.
    2. Ask the landlord when repairs will happen and whether the unit is safe to occupy.
    3. Contact your tenant insurer about damaged belongings or temporary accommodation covered by your policy.
    4. If repairs remain unresolved, use Alberta's landlord–tenant guidance and dispute-resolution route; ask student services for support if the disruption affects your studies.

    Before you rely on this

    • Do not withhold rent as a repair strategy; Alberta's guidance directs tenants to formal remedies.
    • No universal university guarantee of emergency housing for private-rental incidents was verified.

    SourcesCommon problems: landlords and tenantsContact Residence Services: emergenciesUniversity of Alberta support portal

  • Open the university U-Pass page, choose 'Access the U-Pass App', sign in and add your Arc card. Your pass depends on eligibility, an assessed U-Pass fee and the term's validity dates.

    1. Check Bear Tracks → Financial Account → Fee Assessment for the U-Pass fee.
    2. Link your card in the university app and check its status.
    3. Activation can take up to seven days at term-start; check before travelling.

    Before you rely on this

    • General Arc registration does not replace linking your card in the university app.
    • Keep your card; an assessed U-Pass normally updates for later terms.

    SourcesU of A U-Pass and Arc card help

  • Check your linked card, fee assessment and pass status. 'Insufficient funds' can mean no active U-Pass; 'low funds' can warn of approaching expiry.

    1. Review your card in the university U-Pass app and your fee assessment in Bear Tracks.
    2. If you replaced a lost card, activate the replacement in the app.
    3. Use the university U-Pass help page for the specific error and pay the required fare while the pass is inactive.

    Before you rely on this

    • Being a student alone does not guarantee U-Pass eligibility.

    SourcesU of A U-Pass and Arc card help