Student support
Sometimes, being in a country far from home can be challenging. It is always okay to ask for help! At Continuing Studies, free and confidential counselling services are available for you to see someone who will help you. Common reasons students might need counselling support include:
- missing home
- feeling sad, angry, lonely, or upset
- going through a difficult time
- having a family emergency
Learn more about student support
Student immigration advising
For registered students, we have a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) available to answer your questions. Common reasons students might need immigration assistance include:
- wanting to stay in Canada longer
- needing to extend their current study permit
- needing to travel outside of Canada and return
- wanting to work during the program of study
Learn more about student immigration advising
Career counselling and workshops
Continuing Studies students can benefit from individual appointments with our career counsellor as well as workshops designed to help you navigate the Canadian job market. Topics include:
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writing a resume
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how to search for work
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preparing for an interview
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exploration of career options
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managing career transitions
Learn more about Career services
Student services
International students registered with Continuing Studies at UVic will be charged a mandatory student services fee in each term of full-time study. These student services fees allows students to access to UVic’s world-class athletic facility, "CARSA", obtain a bus pass valid for the duration of your studies and expanded access to UVic student clubs, organizations and events. In addition, international students studying in Canada will be charged for Guard.me medical insurance until MSP coverage is in place.
UVic's Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA)
This is UVic's Centre for Athletics, Recreation, and Special Abilities. International students registered with UVic Continuing Studies the gym's ALL IN Fit and Climb package, which includes full access to:
- The CARSA fitness weight centre
- The CARSA rock climbing centre
- Reservations for group fitness classes
- Drop-in times at the field sport house
- Free tickets to Vikes games and events
- McKinnon fitness centre and pool
Bus Pass
Starting September 2023, you’ll need to use the new Umo mobile app or a reloadable Umo card to show proof of payment on all busses in the Victoria Regional Transit System. The UVic ONECard will no longer operate as your bus pass.
You’ll need to activate your U-Pass every term with that term’s unique-to-you UVic benefit code.
How to activate your bus pass on a reloadable Umo card:
- Pick up a Umo card for free from a BC Transit vendor or from the UVic Continuing Studies 2nd floor registration office.
- Visit MyBusPass (in online tools) to get your unique-to-you UVic benefit code
- Visit ca.umopass.com to create an account and register your card
- Once inside, click on the left menu, select Change Agency and select Victoria Regional Transit
- Select My Wallet, Redeem Benefit Code and enter your benefit code to link your U-Pass to your card
University of Victoria's Student Society (UVSS)
With your UVSS membership fee you have access to clubs, organizations, events and discounts at the Cinecenta movie theatre.
Club examples: Philippine Community Club, Anime Club, International Friendship Group, Swing Dance Club, Japanese Culture Club, International Student Services Club Lego Club, Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Chinese Traditional Instrument Club, Games Club, Hong Kong Student Association, Latinos with out borders.
Guard.me International Medical Insurance
ALL international students at the English Language Centre and Continuing Studies must have medical insurance for the duration of their studies. Guard.me@UVCS is the automatic insurance that will be applied to your account for when you arrive in Victoria.
The guard.me@UVCS plan provides emergency medical insurance coverage for international students who are new to UVic Continuing Studies.
This plan covers required medical services to address new and unexpected illness or injury.