“In our knowledge-based age, higher education and advanced research are essential to our collective prosperity and quality of life. Working with members of our constituencies and communities, U of T strives to make far-reaching and positive differences in the world – through the education of our students and through our pioneering research.”
President Meric Gertler
Experiential Learning at U of T
Experiential learning gives students the chance to turn the theories and ideas they learn in the classroom into practice. This is education in action.
The term experiential learning covers everything from internships and co-ops to community-based projects and organization-partnered research. When you hire or work with a University of Toronto student, you add fresh perspectives and diverse skillsets to your organization while building closer ties to one of Canada’s top-rated universities.
Whether you are a community, industry, or research partner, there are many avenues University of Toronto students can get involved with, learn from and contribute to your organization. These opportunities offer various levels of commitment from participating students and your organization.
Benefits of Partnering with U of T
U of T students bring strong research skills, fresh perspectives and an eagerness to learn. U of T students are culturally competent, collaborative, adaptable, creative, analytical; they are solutions-focused, have strong research skills and are eager to contribute to their communities and society. By engaging in EL at U of T, you can:
- Find students who have the skills and knowledge you need among the University of Toronto’s 700 undergraduate and 200 graduate programs, including more than 60 professional graduate programs
- Work with the highest ranked university in Canada and #1 for graduate employability, according to the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings
- Bring students into your work environment, giving you the chance to:
- help shape the next generation of leaders
- build your own talent pipeline of future employees and partners
- work with some of our top faculty and students on research projects that address the needs of your organization, our communities and society
- foster dialogue between the University and the larger community
- access tax breaks and financial incentives for your organization
SELECTING THE IDEAL EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU
The Decision Tree can help you identify the type of Experiential Learning opportunity that best suits your needs
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How do I get started?
You have many opportunities to connect with our students and to harness their knowledge, skills and experience to support the mission and goals of your organization. The EL Hub can help you:
Identify the type of experiential learning through which you may wish to engage students, depending on the goals of your organization
Navigate the EL landscape at U of T to locate the most appropriate offices and people to support your goals
Engage and support students to ensure you offer a strong learning environment that is inclusive, equitable, accessible and engaging
Types of Experiential Learning
Instructors and staff have the opportunity to incorporate experiential learning into course and program curricula, as well as through co-curricular initiatives. Below find an overview of the forms experiential learning takes at U of T.
