Thinking of staying on campus or in Toronto this summer? Whether you're working, volunteering or still figuring it out, now is the best time to check out the cool courses York has to offer over the summer. The best part? You can head downtown after class and explore some of Toronto's best summer festivals, concerts and neighbourhoods.
Love concerts and musicals? Learn a new instrument or what makes a great performance! Always taking photos around the city? Become an expert with your phone camera. Or, if your bookshelf is already full, why not explore the art of writing and create something of your own?
With a quieter campus, smaller classes and a more flexible pace, summer is your chance to explore something new while still making meaningful progress toward your degree.
Pro tip: Summer courses fill up fast! The York Courses website lets you filter by S1, S2 and S3 courses, so you can find what fits your schedule and interests. York's Registrar's Office website has more information about summer term start dates.
Turn your camera roll into something more
If your camera roll is already full of aesthetic shots, FA/VISA 1006 – The Photographic Experience lets you take it to the next level. Using just your smartphone, you’ll explore photography through creative assignments, visual analysis and artist references. It’s hands-on, beginner-friendly and perfect if you want to develop your eye without needing expensive equipment.
Drama, comedy… and something a little bold?
If you’re drawn to storytelling, this lineup has a lot to offer. AP/EN 2140 – Drama introduces you to theatre across history and performance, while AP/EN 3191 – Comedy explores humour from Elizabethan plays to modern works (yes, you can literally study what makes things funny). And then there’s FA/THEA 1900 – Sex, Drugs and Theatre, which looks at how themes of desire, identity and altered states shape live performance across time.
For music lovers (and future performers)
If your summer already includes concerts, playlists and festivals, why not earn credits from it too? FA/MUSI 1012 – Guitar for Non-Majors and Majors is perfect if you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the chance, while FA/MUSI 1530 – Rock and Popular Music breaks down the evolution of music since World War II, connecting sound to culture, identity and media.
Courses that make you think differently
If you want to go a little deeper, these courses hit that sweet spot between interesting and actually useful. AP/PHIL 1100 – The Meaning of Life asks big questions about happiness and purpose, while HH/PSYC 2130 – Personality looks at the science behind who we are and how we develop. These are the kinds of courses that stay with you beyond the classroom.
Create, draw and write
If you’re feeling creative, these courses give you space to actually make things. FA/VISA 2081 – Drawing: Perception, Proportion, Structure focuses on observational skills and developing your artistic voice through studio work, while AP/WRIT 1700 – Writing: Process and Practice lets you examine fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a more flexible, workshop-style environment.
Find your own hidden gem
As you plan your summer, visit the York Courses website and consider adding at least one course that genuinely excites you, not just one that checks a requirement. It’s a chance to explore something new, build skills in a different way and make your summer term feel both productive and genuinely enjoyable.