The Transitional Year Programme (TYP) is an in-person, full-time, eight-month access-to-University program. Founded 50+ years ago, TYP began at Innis College, University of Toronto, in 1970 with approximately 25 students. The programme has its roots in the Black community in Toronto, having emerged out of two community summer programmes in 1969 and 1970.
TYP annually welcomes 50-55 students from diverse backgrounds. TYP is designed to empower individuals, primarily adult learners, who have encountered obstacles to post-secondary education, by providing academic preparation, personal development, financial support and community engagement opportunities. TYP has a committed and highly qualified faculty and staff, who prepare students for university degree studies by upgrading their skills and knowledge in academic courses and by providing intensive supportive counselling.
Focus
- Access & Transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
- Retention & Persistence: help participants complete and graduate from postsecondary programs
Features
- Academic credit: university
- Academic success
- Alumni engagement
- Career exploration
- Community engagement
- Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
- Wrap-around services (e.g. provision of food, skills development workshops, writing centre and library access, etc.)
Timeframe
- Fall Term
- Summer
- Winter Term
Participants
Ages
- Mature students
Groups
- 2SLGBTQ+ students
- Adults who have not completed their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- First-generation students
- Indigenous students
- Low-income students
- Newcomers to Canada
- Racialized students
- Secondary school students with low credit accumulation and/or achievement rates
- Students from communities with limited access to post-secondary education (e.g. rural or remote communities)
- Students with disabilities