Starting your first term

Much of the information that you’ll need to know about your classes is at your fingertips with these online tools.

Set up your Concordia email, Moodle and related student accounts. Navigate to My CU Account and select the Personal tab.

Every student has the option of activating a Concordia email account. A big benefit: free access to Microsoft 365 Education, a super useful suite of tools that you might otherwise have to pay for. You can activate your email account two weeks before the start of term.

Students entering the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science have access to a faculty-specific email address. Once classes have started, you may request a faculty address by emailing help@concordia.ca and attaching a photo of any valid government-issued ID.

Moodle

Moodle is where your professors share their course outlines, along with other class materials. You'll use the Moodle platform to submit assignments, participate in classroom discussion forums and more. Once the term begins, be sure that all the classes you're taking show up in your Moodle account. You may not see your courses in Moodle until the first day of each of your classes.

eConcordia

If you are registered for eConcordia classes, you will need to create an account and activate your course. You can access the class on the first day of term as of 2 p.m.

Connecting to campus Wi-Fi

You may need to configure your device or operating system in order to use the university's wireless network.

Useful apps

Downloading key apps onto your phone can help you stay connected.

• The Concordia app is an easy way to view your courses, check your grades and consult the shuttle bus schedule. 
• The Rave Guardian app helps keep Concordians safe and inform you of any system outages.
• Keep track of your CSU health insurance with the Omni app. Download the app in the App Store or Google Play. International students, see how to use the Medavie Blue Cross app. 
• Access your Moodle courses on your phone with the Moodle app.

Once the term begins, monitor your waitlisted courses and swaps carefully. Make sure you know and understand the DNE and DISC deadlines.

Waitlist

You may have joined the waitlist for a class. As other students adjust their schedules at the beginning of term, you may automatically be enrolled in the waitlisted course. If you had set up the swap function, you'll also automatically drop another course. Review the swaps you set up to make sure they still fit with your plans.

Dropping a course

The DNE deadline (which stands for Did Not Enter) is the date by which you can officially drop a course without having to pay for it. If you drop a course before this deadline it won’t appear on either your student record or official transcript. Note: if you DNE all of your courses, your offer of admission becomes invalid.

Discontinuing a course

If you want to drop a course after the DNE deadline, you can, as long as it's before the DISC deadline (short for Discontinued). While it won't affect your GPA (grade point average), discontinuing a course will result in a DISC notation on your student record and official transcript. You will also need to pay the tuition fee for the discontinued course.

Deciding to stop attending a course is not the same as dropping a course. If you do not drop a course, and simply stop doing the coursework and participating, you will receive a failing grade.

International students and those receiving government financial aid must be enrolled as full-time students.

Pay your tuition fees on time to avoid late fees and library or registration holds.

Payment deadlines and methods

Fall tuition is due September 1 and the final payment deadline is September 30. Winter tuition is due January 1 and the final payment deadline is January 31. Summer tuition is due May 1 and the final payment deadline is May 31.You can pay your tuition fees by online banking, pre-authorized debit, credit card or using CIBC International Student Pay.

Tuition fees breakdown

You can see the breakdown of your tuition fees in your Student Centre. You're automatically enrolled in Concordia student health insurance, which is included in your fees. Your tuition payment also includes a series of "fee levies," which are student organizations and initiatives at Concordia that have been selected by a referendum process to receive funding through student fees.

Understanding your financial aid

Every government financial aid program has its own procedures for disbursing funds. Your program may require you to pick up or drop off documents, or get your loan documents certified. Find out more in the Finances section of your Student Centre.

Questions?

For questions about how the university bills and collects tuition fees, email Birks Student Service Centre for support.

To report a problem with the tuition rate applied to you, get in touch with the Quebec Residency team.

Having your Student ID card and textbooks in place at the beginning of term is essential to a smooth start.

Student ID card

Your student ID card lets you board the campus shuttle, get a student-rate OPUS card to take public transit and access certain campus buildings.

Book Stop

You can find out which books are required for your courses by reading the course outline in Moodle or by consulting your personalized student book list. You can also confirm with your professor once classes have started. 

Course reserves

Many professors put the required readings on course reserve at the Concordia Library, meaning you can borrow them for short periods during which you can scan and email assigned pages to yourself. Professors will let you know in your course outline if readings are on reserve at the libraries.

Orientation, frosh and Homeroom are great opportunities to get to know new people. Consider joining a sports team, fitness class and other events for students.

Orientation

Orientation and student-led frosh events are an excellent way to meet other new students from your faculty and across the university. You will discover all of the amazing student groups and learn about ways to get involved. Whatever your interests, there's something for you.

Homeroom

Homeroom, run by the Dean of Students Office, provides a space to meet and bond with other new Concordians. In weekly meetings led by upper-year students, you’ll discuss a wide array of must-know topics that will help ease the transition to Concordia. Homeroom takes place weekly on Zoom and in person. 

Sports and fitness

Concordia has more than 200 intramural sports teams to choose from and many group fitness classes. 

Events for students

Groups across the university, like the International Students Office and First Year Experience, regularly organize events for undergraduates. Keep track of what's happening on campus by browsing student events at Concordia.

If you have any documents left to submit, now is the time to do it.

If your offer letter included a request for an official transcript from your final term, send it to the Concordia admissions office as soon as possible. CEGEP students do not have to submit anything unless specifically notified. We receive official final transcripts electronically from your CEGEP.

If you're an international student, be sure you've uploaded your immigration documents (CAQ, Study Permit, passport) to your Student Centre as soon as they are available.

A reminder: you may need to work with your department to finalize transfer credits, as indicated in your offer letter.

Feeling overwhelmed, confused or simply in need of some practical advice? Peer and professional staff in advising, academic support and physical and mental health are here for you.

Mentors

Student mentors from the Welcome Crew are happy to share their experience and help you find key info. 

Student success

The Student Success Centre can help you cultivate strong time management and study skills as well as support your personal and career development. Health and Wellness focuses on your mental and physical health.

To connect instantly with advisors and staff, join the weekly virtual Student Service Station. If you're on the Loyola Campus, drop by Loyola Landing, your all-in-one student services stop.

Individualized support

Connect with the first-year support counsellor for one-on-one help with the transition to university life, including academic challenges, career direction, social connections and personal development.

Academic advising

Academic advisors can lend assistance with course planning and your program and degree requirements.

Help with policies and procedures

Birks Student Services Centre is also a fantastic resource for help with university policies and procedures.

Having technical difficulties?

If you're having trouble, you can always contact the Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS) service centre either by phone at 514-848-2424, ext. 7613, or email at help@concordia.ca.