Welcome to Glendon! Whether you're preparing to join us in the Summer, Fall or Winter, our pre-arrival information below is here to help you prepare for life at Glendon and in Canada.
Pre-departure Preparations
As an international student, you will need a Study Permit to enter and remain in Canada during the duration of your study. See further information on York International website.
Have you decided where you will live once you arrive in Canada? Living in Residence is a great way to be involved in academic and campus life. It also relieves you of the stress of finding off-campus accommodation in Toronto’s tight rental market. Residence opens to first-year students on Saturday August 26th. To apply for residence and find out more, please visit the Housing website.
- Book and attend your enrolment appointment
- Complete your language placement test
- Enrol in your courses for the year
- Create your Passport York account and ensure that you have access to your York email address (username@my.yorku.ca). Please note that this is a Gmail account
- Register for Orientation Activities
Arriving in Canada
When you arrive in Canada at Toronto Pearson International Airport, you will present yourself to a Canadian immigration officer. Before you do, make sure you have the following documents ready:
- Letter of Introduction from the Canadian Consulate or High Commission: This is the letter you receive from the visa office if you applied, and have been approved, for a study permit. It is sometimes called the letter of introduction or introductory letter. Officially, it is called the Port of Entry (POE) Introduction Letter.
- Valid passport, with Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)/entry visa (if required).
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (if required)
- Original or copy of your letter of acceptance from York University. Evidence of financial support.
- List of items that you are sending separately (if applicable). Have this list stamped by an Immigration Officer.
- Letters of reference or other documents recommended by the Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission.
- Record of Health Immunizations (if required)
Make sure you keep all these items, as well as cash, traveller’s cheques and other valuable documents with you. Do not put them in your checked baggage. Respond to all questions the immigration officer asks you with clear, simple answers. Service is available in English and French. If you do not fully understand the questions, ask for an interpreter. They are available in many languages.
CANADIAN CUSTOMS: The Canadian Border Services Agency is responsible for customs. Detailed information about Canada Customs regulations is available from the Canadian embassy or high commission in your country. The Canadian government puts no restrictions on a reasonable amount of clothing, books or other items for your personal use. Limited quantities of alcohol and tobacco are permitted. You may bring all personal effects into Canada duty-free. We recommend you make a list of all the items you are bringing, including serial numbers of cameras, radios, computers, etc. and the approximate value of each.
By Public Transit (Most Cost-Effective Option)
There are 2 ways you can access Glendon Campus via Public Transit. The simplest way would be to take the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) 52A bus from Pearson Airport. Please make sure it says 52A as any other 52 bus will not take you on the correct route. Take 52A all the way to Lawrence Station, which is the final stop (do not get off at Lawrence West, you must stay on the bus at this station).
From Lawrence Station, take the 124 or 162 bus to Glendon Campus by getting off at the stop called “306 Lawrence Avenue East Glendon Campus York University and Toronto French School”
The campus will be straight ahead.
By Taxi:
Find a taxi when you arrive at the airport. More information available on the airport website.
By Uber:
- Download the “Uber” app from the App Store or Google Play Store or visit their website
- Make an account
- Indicate your location and select an Uber type (please note: this option requires a credit card to be added directly onto the app, or the use of Apple pay)
Go to the Housing Office during office hours (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm). If it is closed, go to Security next door. Make sure you let Housing know in advance if you plan on arriving in the evening or on the weekend.
Your First Days at Glendon
Come see us in the Student Success Centre (SSC) room B108 or send us a message at studentaffairs@glendon.yorku.ca if you have questions.
TTC (Toronto Transit Commission):
- The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the main transit system in the city. In order to access public transportation, we strongly advise that students purchase a Presto card. Presto cards are reloadable transit cards that can be purchased from any Shoppers Drug Mart location and/or TTC location. There is also a monthly pass available for a student rate of $128 per month. In order to purchase this monthly pass, you must go to Davisville Station (located on the Yellow Line of the Toronto Subway System).
- To use the TTC you need a Presto card – Load your card on the app or at the station.
- By purchasing this Presto card, you also have access to other transit systems including UP Express, GO Transit, York Region Transit, etc.
- Find out where to buy your Presto card
Glendon – Keele Shuttle Service:
York University has two campuses, and shuttle services between Glendon and Keele, Monday through Friday.
- The travel time is approximately 45 minutes to/from either location.
- In order to reserve your seat, download the Transact Mobile Ordering App (please note that your IP address must be set to Canada in order to be able to download the app, click here for more information)
- Once you have downloaded the app, select York University and log in with your Passport York credentials.
- Select the date, time, and direction (Glendon to Keele, or Keele to Glendon) for the seat that you want to reserve.
- In order to board the shuttle, you will be required to tap on with the QR code that has been sent to your mobile device as well as show your valid YU card.
Here are some nearby supermarkets:
- CityMarket at Lawrence Station
- Metro (most cost effective) at Lawrence Station
- Loblaws at York Mills
- Longos at Sheppard-Yonge Station
- Food Basics at Sheppard-Yonge Station
Other useful stores for essentials:
There are 6 major banking institutions you can choose from to open a Canadian bank account:
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
- Bank of Montreal (BMO)
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- Toronto Dominion Bank (TD)
- Bank of Nova Scotia
- Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
Your institution at home may have a partnership with a Canadian bank - be sure to inquire! For example, BNP Paribas has a partnership with Scotiabank.
*Please note: There is a CIBC Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at Glendon Campus. To visit an actual branch, you will have to look up locations in the area. Please ensure you have a valid piece of ID with you, as well as your admission letter from York University.
Make sure to ask your bank advisor about available accounts, transaction fees and online services so that you can find the account that works best for you. You may also be eligible to apply for a credit card (VISA, Mastercard, etc) through your new Canadian bank.
Canada has several phone companies. Visit the For more information on setting up a phone plan, click here.
If you would like to eventually find a part-time job in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to ensure that you can be paid. For more information, please click here.
Getting to know Canada
To learn more about Canada and Ontario, check out these videos here! Information about Canada’s geography, founding people, and culture can be discovered here.
Contact Us
Student Affairs:
We are here to help you! Never hesitate if you have questions to contact us at:
studentaffairs@glendon.yorku.ca
416-487-6716 (during office hours)
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J1P3, Student Success Centre (SSC) B108.
Security Emergencies and Urgent Situations:
For life-threatening situations where people or property are at immediate risk:
- First, call 911 Emergency Services (police, ambulance, firefighting)
- then call York Security at 416-736-5333, or for TTY at 416-736-5470.
Non-Urgent Safety Matters:
To report a non-urgent safety incident to York Security Services:
Call 416-650-8000 or for TTY at 416-736-5470.