Resources for Graudate Students
Access important resources to help you navigate your academic journey.
Funding Your Studies
Financial support might be a struggle you encounter in your graduate journey. Explore these funding opportunities and apply for awards. *Note the Graduate Programs in Education Deadline for the Graduate Awards Competition (GAC) is in December*
Funding opportunities comes from a variety of sources including Tri-council scholarships (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC); private, provincial and university scholarships; teaching assistantships; and sessional teaching. Learn more about funding opportunities here.
Graduate Programs in Education offers PhD students funding opportunities during the first four years of the program. Funding for these positions comes from a variety of sources including: Tri-council scholarships (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC); private, provincial and university scholarships; teaching assistantships; and sessional teaching.
The Graduate Award Competition (GAC) encompasses a broad range of awards funded by donors and the University of Calgary.
The Killam Programs support advanced education and research at the University of Calgary, four other Canadian Universities as well as at the Canada Council for the Arts. The awards, established in 1965 in memory of Izaak Walton Killam, were created by his wife, Dorothy Johnston Killam through the combination of a bequest in her will and donations made throughout her life.
Overview of the different types of funding available to thesis-based students
An overview of internship opportunities from FGS. Keep in mind, the funding structure of some internships might impact your thesis funding. Consult with GPE before applying for internships to understand how an internship might affect your funding package.
Working as a Graduate Assistant Teaching (GAT) or a Sessional Instructor
As a graduate student, you have the chance to contribute to the academic community by becoming a teaching assistant (called Graduate Teaching Assistant) or a sessional instrutor. Here are some resources to help you find and excel in those roles.
The office of Teaching and Learning offers a Teaching Assistant Preparation Program. Learn more here!
Learn more about the process to become a GAT or Sessional Instructor. Watch the video below or view the accompaying slides here.
Access learning modules and resources to develop your skills as a Teaching Assistant.
View your collective agreement and learn more about your rights as a graduate worker from the Graduate Labour Union.
View your collective agreement and learn about your rights as a sessional instructor from The Faculty Association of the University of Calgary.
To apply for GAT positions, you must use Elevate, ucalgary's career platform.
Use the Ucalgary HR page to find sessional instructor positions.
Thesis and Supervision
Your thesis is the pinnacle of your graduate studies—a culmination of research, analysis, and critical thinking that you reach with the support of your supervisor if you're in a thesis-based program. Find resources to support your relationship with your supervisor and your research here.
Being a graduate student is a fun and exciting experience, but sometimes it can be tricky. Seize this opportunity with these essential principles and guidelines.
Complete these mandatory checklists within the first two months of working with your supervisor and submit them to your graduate program administrator.
Refer back to them regularly to stay on track and to maintain a healthy and productive student-supervisor relationship.
Read these guides for both thesis and course-based graduate students.
Learn the ropes and settle into your new life by following the steps and advice outlined in these pages.
Check out this FGS Guide for building your thesis.
An effective thesis cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." A thesis is not a topic; nor is it a fact; nor is it an opinion. Learn more about developing a strong thesis here.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an internationally recognized research communication competition. Participants have three minutes to deliver a compelling presentation on their thesis research for a general audience using a single, static slide.
Funding Conference Travel
Here are some avenues for funding conference travel that can help alleviate the financial burden of traveling to present research.
The PDGs fund academic pursuits that are not directly related to degree requirements, but are of value to the academic careers, or will enhance the intellectual life of graduate students at the UCalgary. PDGs are funded by the Graduate Students' Association.
The Werklund School of Education supports mentorship programs for graduate students, through planned research workshops, seminars, and other events. The purpose of this funding is to support students to build knowledge in their discipline and profession.
Resources for International Students
Being an international student brings unique opportunities and challenges. We’re committed to supporting you throughout your academic journey. Explore these essential resources
International Student Services (ISS) provides advice and programs to support all international students as they adjust to their UCalgary studies and life in Canada.
A list of resources compiled by the Graduate Students' Association Newcomer and International Students Subcommittee.
The International Students’ Committee is in charge of representing the needs, wishes and thoughts of full time, study permit holding, international students and of students who are newly landed immigrants in Canada.
International Student Services recognizes the unique experience of International Students, and aims to provide UCalgary International Students with programs and events which directly relates to those unique needs. Take a look at the programs we offer and our upcoming events!
Writing and Academic Support
Navigating graduate studies can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Explore these resources to enhance your academic journey.
Do you want to improve your writing? Writing Support Services offers free individual writing consultations for UCalgary students. We'll support you to develop an individual writing process that'll allow you to become an independent and effective writer.
The Student Success Centre offers ways to enhance your study skills, stay organized, gain microcredentials, and get writing support.
There are a number of tools that can help you ensure that your APA citations are correct. Check out these resources from the library.
Librarians present about how to cite your research in education.
Start the semester right with an in-depth webinar on creating accurate and complete APA Style student papers.
The Doucette Library of Teaching Resources supports the many programs in the Werklund School of Education.
Food Security
We understand that graduate life can be demanding, and access to nutritious food is essential. Explore these resources to support your well-being.
Being food secure means having reliable, stable, permanent and affordable access to a sufficient quantity of nutritious food. In 2021, Maclean’s reported that approximately 40 per cent of post-secondary students in Canada are food insecure – so, if you find yourself in this position, you’re not alone.
The SU Campus Food Bank offers a year-round emergency food relief service to UCalgary’s campus community. This relief is provided through nutritionally-sound hampers assembled in accordance with the Canada Food Guide. The SU Campus Food Bank also provides access to emergency snacks, the Good Food Box program (affordable produce) and can pass along information regarding food relief resources available both on and off-campus.
The Students' Union Campus Food Bank is a depot for the Good Food Box program, run under the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary where anyone can purchase boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.
The Students' Greatest Needs fund initiative provides eligible students with financial support through gift cards that can be used toward groceries, bus passes, and other basic needs.
Funding is not guaranteed and is a one-time disbursement. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
To access this fund, students must be referred from a Student Support Advisor through Student Wellness Services. Students can make an appointment by calling 403-210-9355 during business hours, booking online, or emailing SWSmentalhealth@ucalgary.ca. Appointments are held during business hours (9am – 4pm) and can be done virtually or in-person. Students will be required to provide information about their financial resources and expenses.
Fresh Routes is a not-for-profit social enterprise on a mission to make healthy and affordable food accessible to Canadians, especially those who need it the most.
Main Campus:
Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The Nest at 102-250 Collegiate Blvd NW, Crowsnest Hall
Foothills Campus:
Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Health Sciences Centre Mall (by stairs to library)
Food Justice Now (FJN) is a student run UCalgary initiative that was created for the purpose of addressing Food Insecurity on campus. Currently FJN focuses on monthly free meal events that provide gf/v meals to anyone without judgement alongside providing education about food insecurity on campus.
The most up to date information about Food Justice Now can be found on Instagram at @food_justice_now.
The University of Calgary houses various edible gardens on its main campus where people can pick fresh fruits like apples, pears, apricots, black currents, nanking cherries and more. Harvesting these is encouraged so pick what you need. Find these gardens across campus by using this map.
Edible gardens are a Food Security initiative led by the Office of Sustainability’s Campus as a Learning Lab to increase access to healthy and nutritious food.
Housing Security
Struggling with housing security? There is support.
The Rent Supplement Program provides a subsidy to help make rental accommodation more affordable for individuals and families.
There are lots of accommodation options for international students, both on-campus and around Calgary, though rent is currently very high in Calgary.
There are a few options for temporary housing, depending on factors such as your budget, convenience/distance to campus or the airport, and comfort level with sharing spaces (private or shared accommodation). We recommend you reserve a temporary accommodation before you arrive in Calgary, as there can be high volume at start of fall term (from late August to early September).
Emergency Financial Assistance
If you're struggling with unexpected expenses, there are options.
You may be eligible for an emergency loan or other funding resources if you've experienced an unexpected emergency expense or extenuating circumstances that you couldn't have planned for.
We understand and respect that asking for financial help can be difficult. Personal information provided in applications is kept confidential, and only disclosed for processing payment. No information is shared with applicant's departments.
Mental Health and Wellness
Graduate school can be demanding, and taking care of your mental and physical well-being is crucial. Here are some resources to support you.
The GSA has partnered with Studentcare in order to provide students with extended health and dental coverage on top of the provincial healthcare benefits. Explore your Health and Dental Plan and take advantage of the coverage available to you!
We're your on-campus resource for health and wellness support, with a wide range of service options. Visit us for medical and mental health care, as well as chiropractic and massage appointments with our team of professionals.
Seeking mental health support and improving your understanding of mental health can have a positive impact on your wellbeing, and help you succeed on your academic journey.
A list of both on-campus and off-campus counselling support resources.
The University of Calgary recognizes our pivotal role in creating a campus culture where our students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars feel supported and valued. Our vision is to be a community where we care for each other, learn and talk about mental health and well-being, receive support as needed, and where individually and collectively we realize our potential.
This is the bold vision of the Campus Mental Health Strategy. A vision for all students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars at the university. Together, we are creating a community of caring.
Use this tool to identify your current wellness behaviours, as well as new behaviours you might like to incorporate into your life. Rate the following areas according to how well/often you engage in each behaviour.
Career Support
Plan for life after graduate school with these career resources.
Access careerplanning tools here.
Read this summary of the final chapter of the book Academic Success.
The Centre for Career & Personal Development is here to help students have an outstanding student experience and to enhance their career and personal journey. Our goal is to foster a collaborative and student-centered environment that promotes exploration, self-reflection, and skill development. Through our comprehensive services and connections to industry and community partners, we help students develop their talents and thrive as confident individuals.
Specialized Care and Communities
Looking for other types of support and community? Here are some resources for you!
We offer a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for University of Calgary students, staff, faculty, and community to connect. We can help you develop practical skills to support feminist theory learned in the classroom.
We provide a culturally appropriate environment that encourages and supports the success of Indigenous students in their pursuit of knowledge and higher education.
Writing Symbols Lodge provides academic, personal, and cultural support services and programs to prospective and current First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and offers a welcoming and supportive learning environment for the whole campus community.
The Q Centre continues to provide a safe space for the 2SLGBTQI+ community and their allies. Please connect with us through our social media channels, or by emailing qcentre@ucalgary.ca.
The Faith & Spirituality Centre seeks to cultivate a pluralistic community by encouraging cultural and religious literacy, community building, and social change as an integral part of the student experience.
Are you questioning your relationship with substances and/or other behaviours? Are you in recovery, or seeking recovery from addiction?
You are not alone. The UCRC wants to hear from you.
The UCRC is an inclusive, peer-driven space supporting all pathways to recovery, building community, and reducing addiction stigma on campus.
While people of all ages, races, and genders can experience sexual and gender-based violence, there are certain populations who are more vulnerable due to deeply rooted systemic oppression. Discrimination such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism can cause these populations to face higher levels of violence. Reach out to the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Office to learn more or find support.