Getting Settled in Saskatoon

The Computer Science Graduate Course Council elects representatives to assist the arrival of new students to the University of Saskatchewan.  The graduate correspondent can provide you with the email address of one of these representatives.  Contact this person directly and he/she will try to answer any questions you may have.  Please inform the representative of your expected arrival date, including airline and flight number so that someone might meet you at the airport.  If the Grad Council Representative is not able to meet you, we will make arrangements to have someone else pick you up at the airport. The Grad Course Representative will also help direct you to the Graduate College, International Student Advisor’s Office, etc., when you arrive in Saskatoon.

The College of Graduate Studies and Research sends out a brochure entitled, Information for International Students, along with their acceptance letter. This pamphlet will answer many questions, in greater detail, concerning immigration requirements, travel to Saskatoon, employment in Canada, housing, cost of living, medical coverage, etc.  The university also offers a web page with information for incoming international students.

Accommodation

Residence on campus, as well as rental units in the city, are in high demand. If you wish to live in one of the University Residence complexes, it is essential that an application be submitted early to the University Housing Registry.  There is often a waiting list of 6 months or longer.  Contact them and request an application form (address on inside front cover). Finding off-campus housing will also be your responsibility, although the International Student Advisor’s Office and Grad Course Council Representative will try to assist. We strongly advise you to arrive two weeks before classes begin in order to secure housing if not already arranged. 

The International Student Advisor and/or the Graduate Course Council representative will assist you in finding temporary accommodation and in searching for a permanent residence if you have not already reserved one.

Finance

Funds paid to students by the University, such as Research Assistantships and Scholarships, are not paid until the end of the first month of classes.  Students will need their own funding for this first month.

Tuition and general fees must be paid or satisfactory arrangement be made for their payment, within twenty-one days of the beginning of classes.  Please contact the Student Enrolment Services Office as soon as possible, after your arrival in Saskatoon.  The best way to transfer funds from your country to Saskatoon is by a bank draft made payable to yourself from your bank to a specific bank in Saskatoon.  It is essential that you bring enough money to cover living costs for the first week (approximately $500.00), preferably in traveler’s cheques, while you wait for the transfer of funds by a bank draft.  Expenses for the first month will likely include the month’s rent (which must be paid in advance for off-campus housing), plus a damage deposit (which can be as high as one month's rent in advance), and for food, textbooks and winter clothing. This can total $1,700 Canadian approximately.

Medical Insurance Services

All international students and their spouses and children arriving in Saskatoon from another country to take up residence are eligible to receive provincial medical and hospital insurance at no charge.  Registration details can be obtained from the International Student Advisor's office.  

Students arriving from other Canadian provinces are not eligible for Saskatchewan health insurance coverage for the first three months.