Going to university can be exciting. You are living in a new environment, learning new things, meeting new people, and making new friends.
As exciting as all these new possibilities are, it can be a bit overwhelming. The online Bridge program is designed to give new first-year and college transfer students, like you, a solid foundation and a head start to successfully transition into your first year at Trent. The Bridge Program allows you to:
- see what university-level teaching and learning is like – and learn the foundational skills you need.
- get ahead in your studies and lighten your first-year course load by completing a half-credit before the fall term even begins.
- get coaching from trained, upper-year mentors in key areas that will help you transition to your new social life.
- get to know the important resources that Trent has to support your learning and well-being.
With The Bridge, you’ll begin your fall term courses with more confidence and a greater sense of belonging. Research shows that success in first year is key to a successful university experience – and a transition program like the Bridge can help. Here is what some former students had to say about their experience with the Bridge:
| “The Bridge Program may have been the best decision of my life so far. I have been given the opportunity to build strong friendships, understand university-level work, and really find myself.” |
| “After completing The Bridge Program I have learned more about my study skills and how to retain information rather than just memorizing answers.” |
The Bridge is offered as a 14-day online program, making it possible to participate no matter where you live.
We are excited to off The Bridge in two streams, one for incoming first-year students and one for students transferring to Trent University from college programs. Information about these streams can be found on this web page under Dates and Schedule and The Courses.
If you have any questions about the bridge program, we can be reached at bridge@trentu.ca.
Learn more about The Bridge:
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Bridge Info Sessions
Open to students who have registered in the Bridge and want more information or students who are interested in registering and have some questions.
| First Year Stream | Information about our Summer 2026 Bridge Information Sessions coming soon. |
|---|---|
| College Transfer Stream | Information about our Summer 2026 Bridge Information Sessions coming soon. |
Still have questions? You can always reach out to us via email at bridge@trentu.ca!
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Dates and Schedule
The 2026 Bridge Program will run from Thursday, August 6 through Tuesday, August 25. Mandatory activities run in the morning of each weekday, with optional activities taking place in the afternoons and evenings. Please note that Wednesdays are designated study days with no class meetings.
The bridge schedule will vary depending on if you are in the first year or the college transfer stream.
First Year Stream
Mandatory: 9am-12pm
2 Hours of Class - This will be a mix of synchronous (time spent together via zoom) and asynchronous (time spent working on your own) and will be led by your course instructor.
1 Hour Skills Lab - These sessions will help you to develop academic and personal skills that can help you succeed in university. Each skills lab focuses on a different skill and provides you with time to work collaboratively with other students to experiment with strategies for managing your time, work, and personal wellness.
Recommended/Optional
Lunch and Learn - presentation from various support programs at Trent
Academic Skills Assignment Clinics - for one-on-one support before major assignments (hosted by Trent's Academic Skills Instructors)
Social Activities - Hosted by Bridge Guides
Study Hall - Hosted by Bridge Guides
A Sample Day During the Bridge
| 9-9:15am (EST) | Class Meeting Via Zoom | Each morning will begin with a synchronous class meeting to introduce asynchronous materials and activities and allow students to clarify instructions. |
| 9:15-10:00am | Asynchronous Activities | Most class sessions will include time for asynchronous individual and group activities, such as engaging with a written source, working through a problem or data set, or planning for a debate. |
| 10:00-11:00 am | Class via Zoom | Combining direct instruction with lively group discussion, these synchronous class meetings will allow students to debrief and build upon their individual learning and explore key course themes. |
| 11 am (EST) | Skills Lab Via Zoom | In these synchronous sessions, students will be introduced to, and have the chance to practice, key academic and personal wellness skills that are essential to academic success. Examples of activities include creating a time management plan and study schedule, exploring stress management techniques, or developing study strategies for an upcoming test. |
| 12:15 pm (EST) | Optional Lunch and Learn or Group Meetings with Bridge Guides Via Zoom | On some days, representatives from different support services at Trent will explain their services and provide students with a chance to ask questions about how to access supports on campus. On other days, our Bridge Guides, who are upper-year student mentors, will lead group discussions on key transition topics. |
| Between 3 pm-7 pm (EST) | Optional Social Activity or Study Hall Via Zoom, and/or in-person | On some afternoons or evenings, there will be opportunities to get to know other Bridge students through virtual events such as games nights and crafts nights. This time will also be used to introduce students to the Trent Campus through virtual tours and activities. On other nights, students can choose to join a virtual study hall during which they can work on assignments or check-in with their bridge guides. |
College Transfer Stream
The College Transfer stream is designed to ease the transition for student coming to Trent with credits from a college program. It also allows college transfer students to get a head start on their degree by earning a 2000-level, half-credit in a compressed summer term!
Students in the College Transfer Stream will be expected to be available from 9 am to 11 am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for online activities including synchronous class time and workshops. Wednesdays are designated as study days and students will not be expected to attend sessions on these days. The college transfer stream will run from Thursday, August 6 to Tuesday, August 25.
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The Courses
Students in The Bridge Program will have course options available to them based on their stream.
Students in the first-year stream will take a skills based 1000 level UNIV course that is currently being developed. More details will be made available soon.
Students in the college transfer stream will take UNIV 2001.
| UNIV 1005H Making the Leap: Foundations for University Success (First year stream) |
| UNIV 1005 is a bridging program that supports students who have no attended a post-secondary program previously as they transition to Trent. Students will learn different ways of knowing at university and how to think critically about scholarly content. They will acquire practical skills in reading, writing, communicating, and engaging in lectures, labs, and seminars. |
| UNIV 2001H Making the Leap: Foundations for University Success (College transfer stream) |
| UNIV 2001 is a bridging program that supports students as they transition to Trent. Students will learn different ways of knowing at university and how to think critically about scholarly content. They will acquire practical skills in reading, writing, communicating, and engaging in lectures, labs, and seminars. |
Final date to drop The Bridge Program courses with no academic penalty and receive a full (100%) tuition refund: Wednesday, August 5 (prior to the start of classes)
Final date to drop The Bridge Program courses with no academic penalty and receive a partial (80%) tuition refund: Tuesday, August 11
Final date to drop The Bridge Program courses with no academic penalty and no refund: Tuesday, August 25 (last day of class)
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Registration
Registration for the 2026 Bridge Program will open early in 2026. If you are still interested in attending The Bridge Program, please fill out our interest survey, and we will be sure to reach out once registration opens
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Costs
The Bridge Program allows students to take one-half credit of their 5.0 first-year credits before the fall term begins. As a result, the bridge program is offered at no additional or advanced cost, as all costs are included in the tuition fees students pay for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Billing steps for students are as follows:
Since the Bridge Program occurs in the summer, prior to the beginning of the fall term, students will be billed for their bridge course separately from their fall tuition. Students will be billed for the 0.5 credit bridge course of their choosing, and this fee will be due by the Fall Term Fee Deadline.
Peterborough students enrolled in 2.0 or more credits for the fall will have their fall invoice adjusted by the 0.5 bridge tuition amount. Durham students are billed per credit and should register for a maximum of 2.0 credits in the fall term in order to not be charged extra for the bridge course. These fees will be due by the Fall Term Fee Deadline. Once students have registered for their fall courses (either 2.0 or 2.5 credits), they will then be billed for the remaining fall registration fees. These fees will be due by the Fall Term Fee Deadline.
Students will then be billed for their full winter course load beginning in December.
Note: The Bridge program is offered at no additional cost to students.
Students who have applied for OSAP will automatically have their OSAP applications modified to include the Bridge Program fees and modified academic start date.
The specific cost breakdown will vary based on if students are Ontario Residents, out-of-province, or international students.
Final tuition costs will be confirmed via the student's statement of account as well as Trent's Tuition and Fees Webpage.
Glossary links: Good to Know! - Office of the Registrar - Trent University
https://www.trentu.ca/registrar/academic-calendar/academic-glossary
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Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Did you have an IEP in high school? Are you interested in knowing what services are available for students with disabilities?
Who is SAS and what do they do?
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is a team of interdisciplinary professionals who provide support to students with disabilities through one-on-one advising, referrals to campus supports, and adaptive technology. SAS supports include:
- Developing individualized accommodation plans for registered students;
- Working with students to develop approaches and strategies that use students' strengths to help them engage with their coursework;
- Offering support through an Adaptive Technologist, using a hands-on approach which allows students to learn how their technology works and how it can be used in their studies;
- Directing and connecting students to appropriate campus resources.
Reasonable and Appropriate Accommodation
Trent University commits to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Recommendations from internal and external professionals do not guarantee specific accommodations. Following the review of diagnostic documentation to consider its appropriateness for supporting requested accommodations, Accessibility Advisors work in partnership with students to develop an accommodation plan that best meets the individual’s needs within the post-secondary academic environment.
Students can access SAS support prior to attending the Bridge program. Previous students of Bridge reported that this was extremely helpful having all their accommodations in place prior to arrival. Any student may have an appointment in Peterborough at SAS anytime throughout the summer, starting in May.
To learn more visit the SAS Website.