New Student Orientation is you introduction to the KPU experience. It is your chance to prepare for your studies by learning about your campus, familiarizing yourself with all of the services and resources KPU has available to you to help you succeed, and to have an opportunity to meet some of your classmates. There will also be prizes and lots of SWAG! Orientation is MUCH more than just touring the campus and getting your student ID.

Certain academic programs at KPU will have a Program Orientation or Welcome for new students in addition to New Student Orientation. In these cases you will be expected to attend both. For example, a Design student would attend New Student Orientation AND a Faculty of Design Welcome/Orientation. 

First Year Festival is two weeks of flexible programming and activities open to ALL first-year students registered in classes in ANY program. This is your opportunity to go beyond the basics and get a deeper look at what KPU and the KSA have to offer through drop-in activities and workshops hosted by on-campus experts. Visit www.kpu.ca/fyf for more details about the sessions and to check out the First Year Festival schedule!

To succeed in your studies, you'll need to be prepared and motivated to start on the right foot. Orientation will help you get the best start to your studies. Studies at KPU have shown that students who attend Orientation are more likely to have a successful transition into university and continue their studies beyond their first two semesters. Furthermore, 96% of all the students who attended Orientation last semester would recommend attending to other new students! University is very different from high school or working life so transitioning can be challenging for some if they are not prepared.

Any student who is new to KPU or new to post-secondary should attend. This includes students that are coming straight from high school, mature students, and transfer students from other institutions –Everyone!

Yes! Please register online for Orientation. If you didn't get a chance to register and would still like to attend, please show up to your Orientation on the campus of your choice – we'd rather you show up without registering than not show up at all!

Simply follow the directions and link on the Orientation website.

Yes, there are a few things you will need to bring/prepare:

• Pre-order your KPU Card online. You must pre-order your Student ID online by uploading a photo minimum 1 week prior to event day!  Click here for details and to pre-order. Note that KPU Cards can be picked-up as early as 1 month before the start of the semester.
• A picture ID and your 9 digit student number. You will need this to pick up your KPU card. The name on your photo ID must be written in English characters and must match the name you registered at KPU with.
• Your Textbook List. If you would like to purchase your books on Orientation Day, have your booklist printed in advance to avoid line-ups. Here's how: Printing my Booklist.
• Extra snacks. We provide a light snack for attendees, but it might help your energy level to bring a little of your own, particularly if you have dietary restrictions.
• A water bottle. To minimize plastic waste, KPU has water stations for you to fill up your own water bottle.
• Your Study Permit (For international students only).
• Your questions. No question is too small! Be sure to bring a list of your classes, too, if you think you'll need help finding them.

For International students studying on a work Visa, Orientation is mandatory. For domestic or permanent resident students, Orientation is not mandatory; HOWEVER, it is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED that you attend. You'll receive critical information that will help you during your studies.

To find out when your mandatory Orientation is, please visit the Orientation website.

You can find Orientation dates and times on the Orientation website. If you do not see dates posted, please check back to the Orientation website regularly for updated dates, times and links to registration. To find out if your specific program or Faculty has an Orientation or Welcome for new students, please check your program's website.

You can find Mature Student Reception & Orientation dates and times on the Orientation website; however, you are also welcome to attend the general Orientation if you'd prefer. Mature Student Orientations are hosted in the evening to accommodate you and your work schedule, and are typically much shorter than the general Orientation day. If you do not see dates posted, please check back to the Orientation website regularly for updated dates, times and links to registration. To find out if your specific program or Faculty has an Orientation or Welcome for new students, please check your program's website.

The Trades Orientation date can be found on the Orientation website. Your program may have other events or Orientations that you need to attend. Please visit their website to check if there are any events specifically for trades students: kpu.ca/trades/events

Nope! Unlike some institutions, KPU Orientation is free for all new students.

KPU offers Orientations on the Langley, Surrey, and Richmond Campuses, and you choose which campus orientation you would like to attend. Once you have registered, you will receive an email notification few days before your Orientation telling you where to sign-in on the day of Orientation.

You can attend any Orientation on any campus. We recommend attending the Orientation on your “home” campus at which you will spend most of your time throughout your studies, but the choice is really up to you!

Attend Orientation on a different campus! Much of the information you will learn will be similar across all three campus Orientations with the exception of the tour. You can find maps of all the campuses on the facilities website, or if you would like to book a separate tour in addition to Orientation, you can do so through the Future Students' Office.

We recommend saving the Orientation date early by booking off your work shifts and planning vacations accordingly, as there are no alternative dates for Orientations. However, if you're still unable to attend, make sure to do some research about KPU and KSA services available to you. You can also book a tour of your home campus through the Future Students' Office. For international students, you will also need to talk to the KPU International Department to make sure you have submitted your study permit and that you are fully prepared for classes.

Simply let us know at orientation@kpu.ca.  Make sure you include your first name, last name, and 

With the exception of Support Assistants, students are encouraged to be independent and attend Orientation by themselves, as this is how you will be attending your classes at KPU as well. If you have a legitimate need to bring a guest, please contact orientation@kpu.ca to let us know about your situation and to RSVP your guest.

Of course! If you are a new student at KPU, we highly recommend you attend Orientation and register online. 

All KPU applicants receive an invitation to Orientation, therefore you received an invitation because you had applied to KPU and received an offer letter, but ended up declining your seat. If you have concerns, please don't hesitate to email orientation@kpu.ca.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Orientation & Transitions team by emailing orientation@kpu.ca. We'll do our best to answer your questions or refer you to the services who can assist you.