You’ve been offered acceptance to a UPEI graduate program. Congratulations and welcome to UPEI! We are excited to welcome you as a member of UPEI’s graduate student community, and the UPEI Panther community. 

Now what?

There are key steps to take and resources to learn about:

Receive your UPEI login credentials
Accept your offer and pay your tuition deposit
Request a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and apply for a study permit
Login to myUPEI and set up your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Check your UPEI email
Identify important dates and deadlines
Connect with your research supervisor to discuss arrival at UPEI
Review the International Student Office online resources and attend information sessions
Search for housing
Register for your courses
Consider registering with UPEI Accessibility Services
Arrange payment of tuition and fees
Connect with the UPEI Graduate Student Association (GSA)
Register for and attend UPEI orientation activities

Receive your UPEI login credentials

You will receive your login credentials in two separate emails from the UPEI Admissions team. The messages include your UPEI identification number (commonly called your UPEI ID), username, and PIN.

Accept your offer and pay your tuition deposit

When you are ready to confirm your intent to attend UPEI, complete the payment of your tuition deposit. Be sure to check your Letter of Acceptance carefully to find the deadline for paying your tuition deposit.

• If new to UPEI: visit the UPEI tuition deposit website and use your UPEI username and PIN to sign in to pay the deposit. 
• If returning or existing UPEI student: sign in to your existing myUPEI account to pay the deposit on the Student Finance tab.

You must use a credit card to make this deposit payment, or email studentaccounts@upei.ca for assistance.

Request a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and apply for a study permit 

International students looking to study in Canada require a Canadian Study Permit. 

The Canadian government has recently announced that graduate students will require Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) as part of the study permit application process. After paying your tuition deposit, request your PAL via the UPEI PAL Student Information form.

The Canadian government’s department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues study permits. Visit the IRCC website to find out more information about study permits, and the documents required. Remember, the processing times for study permits can be lengthy, and will depend on what country you are in.

Login to myUPEI and set up your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

After paying your tuition deposit (typically 1–2 business days after) you will receive two emails informing you of your access to the MyUPEI portal. Following the instructions in the email, and using your username and password you can login to this UPEI platform. Upon first login you will be prompted to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security when accessing UPEI services. Verifying your identity using a second factor (like your phone or other mobile device) prevents others from accessing your accounts, even if they know your password. 

Visit the ITSS Multi-Factor Authentication page to learn more and set up your MFA.

Check your UPEI email

After logging in to myUPEI, on the top right corner of the main page of the portal you will find the Outlook email icon; this is how you will launch and login to your UPEI email account. Check this UPEI email regularly for updates on New Student Orientation, Pre-arrival sessions from the International Student Office (if applicable), and details from your program and/or Research Supervisor.

Identify important dates and deadlines

For the smoothest transition into your UPEI studies, be sure to take careful note of important dates and deadlines, such as course registration and registration change deadlines, when each semester’s classes begin, and fee payment deadlines. Visit the UPEI Calendar Dates page.

Connect with your research supervisor to discuss arrival at UPEI

If completing a research based degree your research supervisor will play a key role in your time at UPEI, and we encourage you to keep them updated regularly as you get ready for your time at UPEI. Be sure to discuss with them the status of your arrangements, and consult on your arrival timing and any pre-arrival tasks for you to complete. Upon arrival, a meeting of your supervisory committee should be organized to develop a plan for your time at UPEI.  

Review the International Student Office online resources and attend information sessions 

The International Student Office (ISO) provides a wide range of supports to UPEI international students including a Google Drive link with a variety of information on key topics about living and studying at UPEI, PEI and Canada. 

Online sessions from the International Students Office are offered leading up to each new semester and cover topics like finding housing, and applying for a study permit.

Tip: While some ISO resources are specific to an international student audience, many resources are helpful to any new UPEI student.

Search for housing

UPEI offers on-campus housing in residence, and an off-campus housing Homestay program. UPEI students are also welcome to organize their own off-campus living arrangements.

To learn more about UPEI Residence (dormitory and apartment style) and meal plans, visit the Residence website or learn more about homestay (private room in a local home with three meals a day) visit the Homestay page. For resources to assist you in searching for off-campus housing, and information about rights and responsibilities as a renter visit the Off-campus Housing website.

Tip: Finding housing in PEI can be challenging, and advice is to start your search early, apply strong critical analysis skills as you search, and ensure you have housing secured before you travel to UPEI.

Register for your courses

Learn about the UPEI registration system, how to plan and register for your courses on the How to Register for Courses page. 

• For course-based program students: your graduate program will guide you on which courses to register for either through advising, a provided course plan, or a program handbook. If you are unsure which courses to register for, reach out to your program coordinator. Contact names and information for each program can be found on the Future Graduate Students page.
• For research- and thesis-based program students: you will register into thesis and seminar courses and select your substantive graduate courses with guidance from your research supervisor and supervisory committee. Reach out to your supervisor to discuss course registration.

It is essential to register for your courses by the published final day for registration deadline found on the UPEI Calendar Dates webpage.

Consider registering with UPEI Accessibility Services

UPEI Accessibility Services supports students with documented functional limitations or needs related to a disability that adversely impact their ability to participate in the learning environment. Students in course-based and research-based programs (on and off campus, online, or in experiential education opportunities, including but not limited to practicums, service learning, internships, and land-based learning) may be eligible for support and accommodations. The first step is to register with Accessibility Services - visit the Accessibility Services website for more information.

Arrange payment of tuition and fees

You can view a breakdown of your tuition and fees on your student account on myUPEI by visiting “Student Finance” in the Student Toolbox. You can arrange payment by the method that works best for your context, and view the Payment Options. Remember that some some options may have a few days delay before the funds are received by UPEI, and to avoid late fees or interest charges you are encouraged to arrange payment at least 2–3 business days before the payment deadline. Visit the Payment Deadlines page for more information, and contact studentaccounts@upei.ca with any payment questions you may have.

Connect with the UPEI Graduate Student Association (GSA)

"For graduate students and led by graduate students", the Graduate Student Association (GSA) represents all current UPEI graduate students as members. The GSA provides an interdisciplinary network of support, social connection, and an avenue of advocating on behalf of shared Graduate student concerns. We cannot recommend strongly enough getting involved in the GSA! Find GSA on their social media pages including UPEI GSA Instagram, UPEI GSA Facebook, and the WhatsApp group.

Register for and attend UPEI orientation activities

If starting in September or January, we recommend registering for the New Student Orientation (NSO) program UPEI hosts for all new students to the university. You will meet other new UPEI students, learn about UPEI’s services and life in Charlottetown. More information and registration can be found on the UPEI NSO website.

Many graduate programs at UPEI provide specific orientation activities for their students, these will orient you to your program, key people and roles, and program expectations and resources. Information will be provided by UPEI email from your program about the schedule of orientation, if applicable.  

If you are a research student, it is recommended in your first days to have a meeting with your research supervisor to learn more about what you can expect from your research and academic plan, and to plan a meeting with your full supervisory committee.