Check it out! One registration date to remember and a year of classes to choose from

Imagine knowing your classes and schedule a year in advance, instead of only term by term. Or not scrambling to remember multiple registration dates and wondering when the pre-requisite class you need will be offered next. Full-year registration will help make that a reality for U of R students next month.

Long-term planning, more choices

The U of R is implementing full-year registration to support the academic goals of students and help simplify their lives. Starting today, students can view the academic course schedules for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Winter 2025 terms and start planning. On Tuesday, March 5, time-ticketed registration for all three terms begins simultaneously for the first time.

This enhancement gives undergraduate and graduate students the ability to know class offerings for an entire year so they can plan their academic, work, and personal lives with greater confidence.

We are constantly looking for ways to support students' well-being and help them lead balanced lives during their university years. Transforming our scheduling and registration process was one way we felt we could have an impact — James D'Arcy, Executive Director, Strategic Enrolment Management and Registrar at U of R

With simplified registration, students have only one date to remember, the flexibility to change classes as needed, and ultimately the ability to better plan across all aspects of their busy lives — academics, finances, work placements, job schedules, and personal time.

"Full-year registration spells stress relief! I juggle a job, as well as full-time studies, and it’s almost impossible to plan effectively when I’m not sure what classes are coming up or in what order. I have friends who had to delay convocation while waiting on a class. I think it shows the university cares and I’m super happy that students like myself will know our class options a year out,” says Jacob Stewart, fourth-year Environmental Systems Engineering student.

For international students, having the ability to register for a year of classes will help streamline immigration paperwork.

Innovating to enhance student success

The implementation at U of R comes after more than two years of planning by the Registrar’s Office, faculties, federated colleges, academic units, and administrative units across the university. 

“Today marks the beginning of a new level of service and student experience at the U of R. We are constantly looking for ways to support their well-being and help them lead balanced lives during their university years. Transforming our scheduling and registration process was one way we felt we could have an impact,” says James D'Arcy, Executive Director, Strategic Enrolment Management and Registrar at U of R.

Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor, is a strong believer in the benefits of giving students the ability to better plan long term with scheduling and course options and was instrumental in making full-year registration a priority. “This initiative demonstrates our ability to identify improvement, implement change, transform where needed, and most importantly, work hard collectively to improve the academic journeys and lives of students,” says Dr. Keshen. 

What students can expect

Students can expect all the benefits without disruption. Scheduling and registration timing has changed for the better — full-year course schedules available by mid-February and registration opening on the first Tuesday of March every year — and most processes stay the same. There are no changes to adding, dropping, or wait listing classes, nor to tuition and fee policies. Students can change programs for upcoming terms in the same way they do now — by speaking with their academic advisor, dropping classes in upcoming terms, and adding classes relevant to their new program. Students can register in spring/summer, fall, or winter classes, keeping their pre-requisites in mind, with more choices now than ever. 

Be sure to check out all the class options offered through to April 2025 in preparation for registration which begins Tuesday, March 5.

Have questions about full-year registration? Find your answers in the Frequently Asked Questions resource or ask your academic advisor.

Banner photo credit: University Communications and Marketing.