Planning for 2026 U-Start events is underway. If you are a new undergraduate student, check back in early April for an updated schedule and watch your email for your invitation. In the meantime, check out these new student resources to prepare to start university and learn what to expect when you arrive. We can’t wait to welcome you!

About

U-Start activities are designed to kick-start your student life at the University of Saskatchewan (USask)! As a newly admitted undergraduate student, you have some important milestones coming up. U-Start can help you:

  • Learn how to choose classes
    Look for in-person or online activities hosted by your college to help you prepare for registration in June.
  • Get a head start
    Joining a Learning Community or taking a summer class are great ways to start your first year.
  • Access support
    All new students have questions. Your college and USask student services are here to help!

Activities by college

Check the tab for your college to find activities offered in-person or online.

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events for Agriculture and Bioresources students.

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events for Arts and Science students.

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events for Education students.

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events for Edwards School of Business students.

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events for Engineering students.

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events for Kinesiology students.

Student services and Residence

Check back soon for a list of U-Start events featuring student services and residence.

Parents and other supporters

Join the University of Saskatchewan for a virtual information session for student supporters (parents, guardians, guidance counsellors, etc.) and learn more about the next steps to prepare your student for university as a new USask undergraduate student.

Check back soon for U-Start 2026 event information.

How to prepare for U-Start

Accept your offer

Applicants and admitted undergraduate students are welcome to join U-Start activities, but you must have accepted your offer of admission before you can:

  • Access your USask email account
  • Access students-only channels in PAWS discussed at U-Start
  • Sign up for Learning Communities or register for classes
International tuition deposit

Most international undergraduate students are required to pay a tuition deposit before being able to register for classes.

International tuition deposit instructions

Log in to PAWS

Before attending U-Start, be sure to familiarize yourself with PAWS, your personalized access to web services at USask, at paws.usask.ca. Use your NSID (e.g. abc123) and password to log in.

If you are having trouble accessing PAWS, contact USask's IT Support at itsupport@usask.ca or by phone at 306-966-2222 (1-800-966-4817 toll-free).

Check out resources for new students

Visit the new students webpage for information collected to support your transition to university.

Visit our classes and registration webpage for instructions and video tutorials on how to register for classes.

How to join online sessions

Before your U-Start session, be sure to familiarize yourself with PAWS, your personalized access to web services at USask, at paws.usask.ca. If you are having trouble accessing PAWS, contact USask's IT Support at itsupport@usask.ca or by phone at 306-966-2222 (1-800-966-4817 toll-free).

Most online sessions are hosted via Zoom. The College of Arts and Science is also hosting online sessions on the Ambassador Platform. As well, the Arts and Science session held in-person at the USask Saskatoon Campus will be recorded in Canvas for those unable to attend.

Read more information about how to join below.

If this is your first time joining a Zoom meeting, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app when you click on a link to join sessions that are hosted on Zoom. You can download the app if you want, but you do not need the app or a Zoom account to join a webinar or meeting. You can join any Zoom meeting during this event from your web browser.

The College of Arts and Science will offer most of their online sessions through the Ambassador Platform, and you will need to create an account to join.

To create an Ambassador Platform account:

  • Select the U-Start session you want to participate in from the list above
  • Enter your preferred email address
  • Create a password for your account

After you have an account, you can access other Arts and Science U-Start sessions offered through the platform using the links above after logging in.

The College of Arts and Science will offer a recording of its session at the USask Saskatoon Campus through Canvas.

Canvas is the USask platform that you will use when you are enrolled in a course to be in touch with your instructors and other students to share content, engage in discussions, collaborate, submit assignments and receive marks.

To access the Arts and Science Canvas space:

NOTE: If you have not received an invitation to the ArtSci Class of 2029 Canvas space by May 1, send your NSID to artsci.recruitment@usask.ca.

For support with PAWS and Canvas, please visit the tech tips page. 

Questions

If you have any questions about U-Start, please contact us at ustart@usask.ca.