Meet the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß community
Each semester, the Faculty of Graduate Studies welcomes new students joining us from locations locally, nationally and around the world. To bring us all together, we’ve created  Grad Orientation Station, which is apart of our larger Horizons Graduate Professional Development offerings.
Orientation Station features Brightspace modules designed to introduce you to the resources available at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß and equip you to start your degree program.  
We look forward to welcoming you to the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß graduate student community!
In case you missed it! We also have a checklist for new graduate students.
Workshops and panel discussions
Join us, in person or virtually, for an opportunity to learn more about life as a graduate student at Dal, what resources are available to you, and connect with fellow graduate students.
Date: Thursday, February 23Â
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ASTÂ (Registration closes February 22 at 4 p.m.)
Live Events
Join us, in person or virtually, for an opportunity to learn more about life as a graduate student at Dal, what resources are available to you, and connect with fellow graduate students.
#GradChats and Q&As
Curious about life as a Dal graduate student? Chat with graduate peer mentors and expand your network.
Meet the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß community
Each semester, the Faculty of Graduate Studies welcomes new students joining us from locations locally, nationally and around the world. To bring us all together, we’ve created  Together@Dal: Grad Edition (T@DGE).
T@DGE features an in-person orientation, #gradchats with current graduate students, live virtual events, and Brightspace modules all designed to introduce you to the resources available at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß and equip you to start your degree program.  
We look forward to welcoming you to the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß graduate student community!
In case you missed it! We also have a checklist for new graduate students.
Coming up on Campus
In addition to Together@Dal: Grad Edition, we also recommend exploring other New to Dal programming on campus.
T@DGE Orientation Workshops
Drop-ins welcome for in-person workshops, registration encouraged
*Location of orientation has changed to Weldon Law Building room 105*
Welcome to the 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß graduate student community! We are excited to have you join us and wanted to introduce the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) team. Learn about supports from the FGS office and ask questions! Opening remarks from the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Date: August 27th at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Event Type: In-Person
³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýWeldon Law Building room 105
Unsure about what resources are available to you on campus? Come join this panel discussion to meet representatives from Bisset Student Centre, 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß Libraries, Centre for Learning and Teaching, Student Health & Wellness, Studying for Success, and Writing Centre to learn more about supports you have during your graduate studies at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß. Moderator: Mabel Ho, PhD, Director Professional Development and Student Engagement| Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: August 27th at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Event Type: In-Person
Location: Weldon Law Building room 105
At the centre of every research-based graduate student’s life at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß is their relationship with their supervisor. Come join us and hear current graduate students share their experiences about building a strong supervisory relationship. This will be a panel discussion and we also welcome your questions. Moderator: Valerie Chappe, PhD, Associate Dean Students and Postdoctoral Fellows. Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: August 27th at 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Event Type: In-Person
³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýWeldon Law Building room 105
New to 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß and to Canada? Come join us and hear current international graduate students share their experiences and lessons learned. This will be a panel discussion, so we welcome your questions. Moderator: Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: August 27th at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Event Type: In-person
³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýWeldon Law Building room 105
Orientation events &Â #GradChats/Q&As
Curious about life as a Dal graduate student? Check out our upcoming orientation events to familiarize yourself with campus resources, expand your network and chat with graduate peer mentors.
Graduate Studies Orientation
Orientation is one of your first opportunities to meet fellow graduate students, Grad Ambassadors, the Faculty of Graduate Studies team, and many campus partners. Throughout the day, you'll discover key resources and services, learn helpful tips for navigating graduate life, ask questions, and start building meaningful connections with the Dal community.
- Halifax – August 27 (Thursday)
Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (6100 University Avenue), Room 1009 - Truro – August 28 (Friday)
MacRae Library (135 College Road), Event & Meeting Rooms/Rooms 218 & 219
Schedule:
- 9 a.m. — Meet the FGS Team
Get to know the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) team and meet the people who are here to support you throughout your graduate journey, from scholarships to professional development. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and become familiar with FGS and the various resources it offers.
- 9:30 a.m. — Meet your Campus Partners
Discover the other services, resources, and programs available across campus to support your academic and professional success. Meet representatives from key campus services, such as the Writing Centre, Career Services, and Mental Health teams, and learn how to access these resources when you need them.
- 11 a.m. — Grad Ambassadors Q&A (DAAGS members will also join us for the Truro campus orientation)
No question is too small! Grad Ambassadors will join this session to share their experiences and knowledge with you. Come meet them, ask questions about the city, university life, hidden gems, and anything else you are curious about. You will also find out what we have planned for the rest of the term.
- 12 p.m. — Lunch break: Bingo & Speed Friending
Meet fellow graduate students through fun icebreakers, speed friending, and bingo—with exciting prizes to be won!
- 1 p.m. — Student–Supervisor Relationship
Learn strategies for reaching out to potential supervisors, building a positive and productive relationship with your supervisor, communicating effectively, and navigating expectations throughout your degree.
- 2 p.m. — Campus Tour & Ask a Grad Ambassador
Explore campus, discover key spaces and resources, and connect with Grad Ambassadors who can share their experiences, offer helpful tips, and answer your questions along the way.
Niki Power, Scholarships Liaison Officer for the Faculty of Graduate Studies will present an information session on graduate scholarship opportunities for incoming and currently enrolled master’s and PhD students. Topics will include:
- Tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) Canada Research Training Awards for master’s and PhD students
- Scholarship opportunities available through the Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Tips and tricks for preparing a strong scholarship application
- Resources for award-holders
- Where to go when you need help
Partner: Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: September 8, 2026
Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. AT
Type: Online via Teams
Brightspace modules
The the Orientation Station Brightspace course includes four modules that you can explore at your own pace. Sign in to using your 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß NetID and password, and click on 'Grad Orientation Station' under 'My Courses' on the left side of the page to get started. If you don't see the course listed, email us at gradpd@dal.ca with your full name, NetID and B00 number, and we'll set you up.
Please note that all four modules are available to review until Friday, September 28, 2026 at 9 a.m. (AT), at which point the Brightspace page will no longer be accessible.Â
Module 1: Welcome to the Dal Graduate Community Â
Get to know the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) and other key staff members who will support you throughout your graduate experience, and learn what to expect during Orientation Day.
Module 2: Before you ArriveÂ
We've put together a few essentials to help you prepare for your first days at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß and Halifax, from getting your DalCard and registering for classes to finding housing and paying tuition.
Module 3: Special Opportunities for Graduate Students Â
Discover the exclusive opportunities available to graduate students through the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) and the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT).
Module 4: Meet the Grad Ambassadors and Get ConnectedÂ
Get to know our Graduate Ambassadors and explore answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from new graduate students.
Get recognized for your effortsÂ
When you complete the reflection activities at the end of each of the four modules, Grad Orientation Station can be added to your  Co-Curricular Record (CCR), a document that records your extra-curricular and volunteer activities.
More in-person events
New graduate students are encouraged to check out all New to Dal events, including International Student Orientation,ÌýAble@Dal, the Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC) Welcome Event,Ìýevents hosted by the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC), the 2SLGBTQ+ Services Fair, and more.