As an international student in Canada, you may be allowed to get some hands-on work experience alongside your study program. Depending on your course of study, completing an internship or co-op placement might even be a necessary part of your curriculum
How international students work in Canada : Co-op placement and internship
Studying in Canada offers newcomers a vast array of opportunities, not just from an academic perspective, but also to prepare them for future professional success.
As an international student in Canada, you may be allowed to get some hands-on work experience alongside your study program. Depending on your course of study, completing an internship or co-op placement might even be a necessary part of your curriculum
If you are in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution that requires work experience, such as a co-op or internship placement, you will need a work permit as well as a study permit.
To get a work permit, you must prove that the work experience is essential to completing your program. Acceptable proof could include a letter from the school you are attending or a copy of the school curriculum.
The work experience cannot be more than 50% of your total program of study.
If you are studying English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), or participating in general interest or preparatory courses, you are not eligible for a co-op work permit.
Apply to Canadian Public College
Eligibility to get a co-op or intern work permit for international students
- Some study programs include work experience as part of their curriculum. International students can apply for a co-op or intern work permit if:
- you have a valid study permit
- work is required to complete your study program in Canada
- you have a letter from your school that confirms all students in your program need to complete work placements to get their degree, and
- your co-op placement or internship totals 50% or less of your study program
Apply to an Ontario Public College and get your Work Permit with Admission Hub
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What is the difference between internship and co-op placement?
Both internships and co-op placements provide you with work experience that aligns with your academic program. These work opportunities allow you to put your academic learnings into practice and get introduced to the Canadian work environment.
Both internships and co-op placements provide you with work experience that aligns with your academic program. These work opportunities allow you to put your academic learnings into practice and get introduced to the Canadian work environment.
| Internship | Co-op placement | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | The internship agreement is between the student and the employer | A three-way partnership between the academic institution, students, and employers |
| Duration of the work period | Usually lasts one term or one summer | Typically runs over multiple semesters, alternating with academic terms |
| Structure | Your academic calendar may or may not have a separate period for an internship | Clearly defined terms for co-op work in your academic schedule |
| Paid or unpaid | Internships in Canada can be paid or unpaid | Co-op opportunities are generally paid |
| Full-time or part-time | Flexible conditions can be full-time or part-time depending on your agreement with the employer | Generally full-time, as there is no overlap with your academic semester |
Apply to colleges that let you work on and off campus
Benefits of getting an internship or co-op placement in Canada
Internships or co-op placements are a course requirement for many academic programs. This means that for these programs, students must successfully complete the required work placements to get their degrees.
Regardless of whether or not a co-op placement is mandatory for your degree, getting an internship or co-op placement in Canada is beneficial for international students in several ways:
- Extra income to cover your living expenses while you study in Canada
- Get Canadian work experience in your area of study
- Apply classroom learning in a professional work setting
- Develop necessary skills for career success, including interpersonal and communication skills
- Build connections and grow your network
- Create a portfolio or work samples to supplement future work applications
- Get references from your employer or manager for job applications
- Opportunity to identify your professional strengths and weaknesses, and identify career interest
- Secure a full-time employment offer, based on your performance during the internship or co-op role
Tips for applying for an internship or co-op placement in Canada
Identify potential employers based on your career interests
Start researching potential employers that you’d like to work with based on your academic program and area of interest. Check if your university has a list of past employers and see which organizations hire students from your institution. Keep track of internship or co-op opportunities you see on online job portals or on company websites, and make a list of prospective employers. Don’t hesitate to contact your target organizations or people in your network to ask if they recruit summer interns or co-op students.
Keep application timelines in mind
Most co-op and internship positions get filled months in advance, so be sure to apply well ahead of time. Typically, for co-ops, you should start looking for opportunities at least one semester before your scheduled work term. For summer internships, application deadlines are often in the spring months, so you should start researching prospective employers as early as the previous fall. Make a note of all the positions you are interested in, along with their application deadlines, so you don’t miss any opportunities.
Leverage resources provided by your university
Most co-op and internship positions get filled months in advance, so be sure to apply well ahead of time. Typically, for co-ops, you should start looking for opportunities at least one semester before your scheduled work term. For summer internships, application deadlines are often in the spring months, so you should start researching prospective employers as early as the previous fall. Make a note of all the positions you are interested in, along with their application deadlines, so you don’t miss any opportunities.
Create your resume and cover letter
A good resume and cover letter can position you as the top candidate for any co-op or internship position. As an international student, you may be unfamiliar with the Canadian-style resume format. Check if your university can provide tips and templates for building your resume. You will need to customize your resume for each position you apply to, so be sure to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and strengths.
Tips: Prepped, a digital career platform, offers tools to help you optimize your resume and tailor it to a job description to boost your chances of success.
While a cover letter is not always required as part of the application, it can help you stand out as a strong candidate. Use the cover letter to tell your story and highlight why you are an ideal fit for the role.
Update your LinkedIn profile
Whether you are using LinkedIn to search for jobs or for professional networking, it is important to keep your profile up to date. Your LinkedIn profile is a great way of publicly showcasing your experience, skills, certifications, and qualifications to prospective employers.
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