Studying at UPEI
NOTE: this page was created in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the content and links may be out of date.
UPEI is in constant contact with incoming new and returning students, sharing information as it becomes available by email and on the upei.ca website. For most students, UPEI’s 2022 Winter Academic Semester begins on January 10, 2022.
On January 6, it was announced that while the 2022 Winter Academic Semester will begin on January 10, 2022, as previously scheduled, teaching and learning will move to online delivery until at least January 30, with in-person classes beginning on January 31. Read the full message
Pre-travel requirements for students arriving and returning to PEI
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions that limit travel to Canada and Prince Edward Island are in place for the 2022 Winter Academic Semester. UPEI has worked closely with the provincial government of Prince Edward Island to streamline the process.
PLEASE NOTE that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an evolving situation, and federal or international travel rules and restrictions can change suddenly and without notice.
Students and their families are responsible for monitoring federal and provincial government websites for changes in travel requirements. UPEI does not guarantee admission to Canada or to Prince Edward Island; students travel at their own risk during a pandemic. Final decisions on admission to Canada are made by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agents. Final decisions on entry to PEI are made by PEI Public Safety and the PEI Chief Public Health Office. Parents/guardians travelling with students must also follow all federal and provincial travel regulations.
International Students
While the UPEI International Student Office will support students as they plan to arrive/return to Canada, international students are encouraged to seek the most up-to-date information about visas/study permits from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
All students have been repeatedly advised that if they are travelling to PEI from outside of Canada, they must fill out the UPEI Pre-Travel Enrolment Confirmation Request Form (also available in the myUPEI student portal) so that UPEI can plan for their arrival. This form triggers the issuance of a Confirmation of Enrolment letter that also serves as proof that the student is required to be on-campus. These confirmations are required for entry into Canada.
UPEI also delivers an online orientation module and travel guide for international students, which includes detailed information specifically aimed at those who are currently abroad and travelling to PEI. The guide also features information about the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app, where students must upload travel information 72 hours in advance of arrival in Canada.
International students must download the ArriveCan app and submit the required information to the federal government.
From November 30, 2021–January 14, 2022, all incoming international students are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated. Any unvaccinated students entering Canada during this time, are subject to stringent public safety measures. Please review the latest information on the federal government's travel, borders, and testing webpage. Any unvaccinated students thinking about travelling to Canada must contact the UPEI International Student Office to receive a copy of their latest travel guide. This must be done before December 23, 2021, or after January 4, 2022.
As of January 15, 2022, international students must be fully vaccinated in order to travel to Canada. See here for a limited list of exemptions.
New international students who have not received approval for a study permit/visa and cannot arrive to Canada before the final add/drop date of January 21, 2022, will need to request a deferral, and await a decision by the UPEI Admissions team.
If you are an undergraduate student and would like to defer your admission to a later semester, please contact inte@upei.ca.
Please note that measures for online studying that were made by IRCC for international students during the pandemic have been extended to August 2022; however, there will not be any hybrid courses at UPEI in Winter 2022.
All incoming international students are encouraged to also visit the Incoming International Students web page for more information.
Domestic Students
Since November 30, 2021, anyone who wishes to travel within Canada by plane or train must be fully vaccinated. See here for a limited list of exemptions.
IMPORTANT!
All students, international and domestic, must apply for a PEI Pass to obtain special permission from the provincial government to enter PEI.
All students, are required to be fully vaccinated (limited exemptions) to attend UPEI's in-person classes, or use on-campus resources. All students have been repeatedly advised that they must complete UPEI COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy Attestation and Exemption Form, available in the myUPEI portal, and keep the form updated every semester and follow testing requirements, if applicable.
Safe return to the classroom
UPEI developed several protocols to ensure that face-to-face teaching and learning could be conducted safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The University worked closely with the PEI Chief Public Health Office to develop the Student Classroom Protocol for the safe use of classrooms that included physical distancing/occupancy, masking, and sanitizing measures.
In Fall 2021, the Student Classroom Protocol was lifted as current PEI-CPHO guidance indicates that physical distancing of 6 feet/2 metres and capacity limits will not be required in classroom settings. However, because UPEI has a different context than other public spaces in PEI, effective September 8, 2021, UPEI moved from a strong recommendation to a mandatory requirement to wear a non-medical mask in indoor public spaces where physical distancing of 2m/6ft cannot be maintained, except when eating or drinking. This includes classrooms and teaching laboratories.
The full Student Classroom Protocol may need to be reimplemented in the future based on public health guidance.
Resources for students
As you prepare for the start of classes, whether you are physically in Prince Edward Island or in locations around the world, studying in-person or joining us virtually, here is some helpful information to get your semester off to a great start.
- UPEI uses Moodle as its online learning system. Your professors will be posting course outlines and materials here, so be sure to log on. The Welcome to Moodle page has information and a video to help get you started on Moodle. When you first log on, if you are a student that has a requirement to be on campus, we’ll ask for your contact information to facilitate contact tracing in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
- If you have a question about registration, your student account, or any general questions about UPEI, email studentsupport@upei.ca and your question will be forwarded to the appropriate area.
- If you are a first-year student and are looking for academic advising and course selection, contact the First-Year Advisement team. They'll be happy to assist you.
- If you are a returning student looking for academic advising and help with course selection, you can speak with our UPEI Student Affairs team. Please email studentserv@upei.ca to make an appointment. We are meeting with students in person, online, or by phone.
- Whether you are starting at UPEI or resuming your studies, the Learning Support website has been developed to help you meet your academic goals this year. Take some time to review the different tips and strategies and help set yourself up to start strong this semester.
- Students with documented disabilities can register with Accessibility Services. Please contact us at 902-566-0488 to arrange for an appointment with one of our accessibility case managers.
- If you are on-campus attending in-person classes and/or labs, or visiting campus to study or meet, familiarize yourself with the following:
Admissions / Registration
UPEI's Recruitment, First-Year Advisement, and Admissions teams always gladly accept applications. If you have questions about applying or have been accepted already and would like to register, please contact apply@upei.ca for more information, or visit upei.ca/apply.
