As an Arts Cohort member, you’ll join like-minded peers and journey together through your first year at TRU, taking six core courses that lay the foundation for your Arts degree.
Why join the Arts Cohort? Connect, thrive, and save
Build connections
Starting university can be overwhelming, but with the Arts Cohort, you won’t go it alone. Learning alongside a group of peers, you’ll form strong bonds, find study partners, and create lasting friendships.
Boost your success
Studies show that students who feel connected to their peers and their university are more likely to thrive. The Arts Cohort provides a support system to help you navigate university life, reducing the stress and uncertainty of your first year.
Save money
Worried about textbook costs? Don’t be. Most courses in the Arts Cohort are designated "zero textbook costs," so you can focus on learning without the extra financial burden.
A convenient timetable for a balanced life An ideal blend of academics and social experiences
The Arts Cohort offers first-year TRU students a perfect blend of structure and flexibility, providing dynamic learning experiences and meaningful social connections. You’ll take six core courses that fulfill graduation requirements and help you foster connections with your peers and instructors.
For Fall 2025 and Winter 2026, choose from two course clusters, each offering a well-rounded mix of subjects to match your interests and goals.
Find your fit and make your first year unforgettable!
Arts Cohort Cluster 1
- STSS 1010 Academic Skills: An Introduction to Writing, Research, Studying and University Life
- GEOG 1000 Planet Earth: An Introduction to Earth System Science
- FILM 2200 Introduction to Film Studies: 1938 - Present
- PHIL 1010 Introduction to Philosophy: Great Thinkers: Ancient to Enlightenment
- SOCI 1210 Introduction to Sociology II
- HIST 1400 Queer Activism
Arts Cohort Cluster 2
- ANTH 1210 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- PSYC 1110 Introduction to Psychology
- POLI 1210 Introduction to Contemporary Politics
- THTR 1000 Theatre Appreciation: From Page to Stage
- PHIL 1110 Introduction to Critical Thinking
- ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing
How to apply
Ready to kickstart your university journey with
the Arts Cohort?
Applying is simple!
Check your eligibility
Are you an incoming first-year Bachelor of Arts student for Fall 2025? If so, apply today!
Sign up
Click the link below to access the application form. Complete and submit it by the deadline to secure your spot.
Need help or want more information? We're here for you.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to start your university life with confidence, connection, and community. Email us for for more information or book an appointment with Meo Cui, the Learning Strategist for the Arts Cohort, using the link below.
Book appointmentFAQs
As a first-year student, what would my schedule look like? Will I be taking these classes alongside other classes?
If you’re in the Arts Cohort and you choose Cluster 1, your schedule will include three courses that run on Mondays and Wednesdays, typically between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. One of these courses is Geography, which also includes a weekly lab — usually scheduled on Mondays or Wednesdays.
Since you're only taking three Cohort courses each term, you’ll still have time in your schedule to add other classes of your choice, which you can place around your Cohort classes. Many students add a fourth or even a fifth course, depending on their interests.
| Semester | Course | Course Title | Days | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Cluster 1 | |||||
| Fall 2025 | STSS 1010 | Academic Skills: An Introduction to Writing, Research, Studying, and University Life | Monday & Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | AE 304 |
| GEOG 1000 | Planet Earth: An Introduction to Earth System Science | Monday & Wednesday | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | AE 304 | |
| GEOG 1000 Lab | Lab for Planet Earth | Monday OR Wednesday | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | AE 151 | |
| FILM 2200 | Introduction to Film Studies: 1938–Present | Monday & Wednesday | 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | AE 304 | |
| Winter 2026 | PHIL 1010 | Introduction to Philosophy: Great Thinkers – Ancient to Enlightenment | Monday & Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | AE 304 |
| SOCI 1210 | Introduction to Sociology II | Monday & Wednesday | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | AE 304 | |
| HIST 1400 | Queer Activism | Monday & Wednesday | 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | AE 304 | |
| Course Cluster 2 | |||||
| Fall 2025 | ANTH 1210 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | Tuesday & Thursday | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | AE 304 |
| PSYC 1110 | Introduction to Psychology | Tuesday & Thursday | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | AE 304 | |
| POLI 1210 | Introduction to Contemporary Politics | Tuesday & Thursday | 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | AE 108 | |
| Winter 2026 | ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | Thursday only | 8:30 AM – 11:20 AM | AE 304 |
| THTR 1000 | Theatre Appreciation: From Page to Stage | Tuesday & Thursday | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | AE 304 | |
| PHIL 1110 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | Tuesday & Thursday | 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | AE 304 | |
Does this program interfere with my first-choice program, which is the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, or is it part of the same program?
No conflict at all — the Arts Cohort is fully compatible with the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In fact, the Psychology course in Cluster 2 is part of your major, so you’re actually working toward your degree while enjoying extra support and a built-in learning community. For more psychology-related course registration, please contact Central Academic Advising at advising@tru.ca for support.
Are all the courses in each cluster compulsory?
Yes, if you join a specific cluster (e.g., Cluster 1), you’ll take all three courses in that cluster for both Fall and Winter. These courses are carefully chosen to meet BA requirements, so you’re not taking any extra or unrelated classes.
Will I still be taking Psychology-specific courses this year, or are these more general first-year Arts courses?
Both! For example, Cluster 2 includes a first-year Psychology course, alongside other required courses like Anthropology and Political Science. These are all introductory Arts courses that count toward your degree. You’re also welcome to take additional Psychology-related courses outside the cohort, depending on your interests and schedule. Please contact Central Academic Advising at advising@tru.ca for a further support.
Am I able to adjust or change any of the courses in the cohort schedule if needed?
The cluster courses are fixed, meaning you can't swap them out individually. However, since you're only enrolled in three cohort classes per term, you have flexibility when choosing your other courses to balance your workload or interests.
Is there a fee to participate in the Arts Cohort? If yes, how much does it cost?
No — there's no extra fee to participate! You just need to pay your tuition deposit so we can register you for 3 courses.
Is there a set amount of time I must participate per week, or am I free to join when I'm available? Will I be assessed on what is taught during this period?
The Arts Cohort isn’t a separate course or an optional program you attend when you’re free. Instead, it’s a way to structure your first-year course schedule so that you take six required courses in total with the same group of 29 students throughout the Fall and Winter semesters.
You’ll be in a fixed course cluster (e.g., Cluster 1 or Cluster 2), and these courses count toward your degree — they’re not extra or additional work.
The goal of the Cohort is to help you:
- Build a strong sense of community from day one
- Make it easier to make friends and form study groups
- Have more support from instructors and peer mentors
You’ll be assessed just like in any regular course, and there’s no extra time commitment or extra coursework beyond your regular classes.
Am I able to take additional courses outside of the cohort courses?
Absolutely! Many students take 4 or 5 courses per term, so you’re welcome to register for other courses in any area you're interested in. Please contact Central Academic Advising at advising@tru.ca for a further support.
Can I replace one of the courses from Cohort 2 with a course from Cohort 1?
Unfortunately, no — the courses in each Cohort cluster are fixed, meaning you can’t mix and match courses between Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. Each cluster is designed to offer a balanced schedule and a consistent learning community, so all students in the same cluster take the same three courses together each term.
However, outside of your three Cohort courses, you’re free to register for other electives or required courses that suit your interests or degree requirements. Contact Central Academic Advising at advising@tru.ca for a further support.
Are the cohort courses listed considered elective or core courses?
The Cohort courses are usually a mix of core first-year Arts requirements and courses related to your major, like Psychology. So while they aren’t all Psychology-specific, they’re still part of the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements, and they’ll count toward your degree.
If I take a course from Open Learning that is not listed among the electives for the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology, will the credits count toward my degree requirements?
We strongly recommend getting confirmation with the Central Academic Advising at advising@tru.ca before enrolling, to make sure the credits will apply to your program.
If I major in Psychology, can I sign up for the Arts Cohort Course Cluster 1?
Yes, absolutely. All the courses in Cohort Cluster 1 will count toward your degree.
