History of the program

In 2017 ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ launched the ground-breaking Sanctuary Scholars Program, becoming the first University in Canada to develop an access pathway specifically for students who hold precarious immigration status.

The term ‘precarious status’ is used for those who are in the process of applying for permanent status in Canada through refugee claims, refugee appeals or judicial reviews, humanitarian and compassionate grounds applications, pre-removal risk assessments or those who have no immigration status.

What does this offer?

The Sanctuary Scholars program allows eligible students to access undergraduate degrees at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ at domestic fee rates instead of international rates. While this is a significant reduction in fees, it is important to note that students who hold precarious immigration status are not eligible for OSAP until they receive a positive decision on the refugee claim or receive permanent residence. There are also very few scholarships or bursaries available. It is important that Sanctuary Scholars consider their budget carefully when apply to York and when choosing their course load.

Direct entry

Students who have all the academic prerequisites to apply directly into the degree studies they are interested in at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ may apply using the same applications as any other student.

Students who are currently in high school should apply through the OUAC, while students who completed high school outside Ontario, or who completed high school in Ontario over two years ago can apply through the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ application. Students can apply to nearly all faculties. Students must contact the program officer to be eligible for the Sanctuary Scholars program.  

Bridging program

Students who have not completed all the necessary academic requirements to apply directly to ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ, or who feel they need some upgrading and confidence building before applying, are able to take a Bridging course specifically designed for Sanctuary Scholars.

The Bridging course is a one-term, non-credit Sociology course, which is free to participating students. Click here for more information about the course. Students must contact the program officer to be eligible for the Sanctuary Scholars program.  

What else do I need to know?

This program isn't open to students who are currently in Canada with international student immigration status or students who are hoping to come to Canada as international students. We have also worked hard to make other modifications across the University to ensure student safety, accessibility and a welcoming environment for Sanctuary Scholars.

To apply

Students must contact the program coordinator during their application process to ensure they are eligible for the Sanctuary Scholars program. For more information on the Sanctuary Scholars program, please contact a program coordinator: spisinfo@yorku.ca.

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Curriculum is a one of those concepts in academia that can mean nothing and everything all at once.

When invoked, is can be embolden with meaning far beyond its actual parameters to the point of becoming empty. It can also be invoked in ways that are so empty that the landscape of meaning becomes clearer than if it wasn’t used at all.

But curriculum is a real thing, in both its presence and its absence. And being more considerate of the whole – the ends, means, and all in between – can ensure a more thoughtful, explicit set of teaching and learning experiences for students, professors, and the research and content that is important for the program.

That is why the Office of the Vice Provost Academic has created a permanent position related to program and curriculum development and : to support programs in the explicitly articulation of their curriculum, and the future of their curriculum, in ways that support students’ learning.

The way we often have approached curriculum can seem very bureaucratic or administrative and separate from the experiences professors have with their students. While ensuring quality, reporting, and governance remains key, this new position in the VPA’s office can also serve as a complement and support in the visioning, and articulation of that vision, in a program’s future for faculty and students alike.

With the development of a new (still in process) , this blog, and the continuation of a community of practice around curriculum, we hope we to improve our programs, and our students’ experiences in these programs for years to come.

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