Work while you study
Jobs, internships and co-op
One board on this site, and three places to look elsewhere. Start with whichever matches what you are after.
Posted on this site
Paid research positionsDirected research assistantships and similar paid lab work, posted by U of A faculty on this site. Each one is read by an administrator before it appears, and shows the pay, the hours and who to write to.Posted on this site · reviewed before publishingWhere else to look
Three fixed references, and between them most of the paid work a U of A student can apply for. None of them changes when somebody posts here.
- Co-op placement employers390 organizations that have hosted U of A Engineering Co-op students, listed A–Z and tagged by discipline. Use it to build a target list before you start applying.390 employers · 13 disciplines
- Search jobs on campusBRIDGEThe university's own job board: student and alumni postings, plus GSIP internships for master's and PhD students. A step-by-step walkthrough of signing in, searching, and applying.5-step walkthrough · CCID login required
- All University of Alberta postingsEvery job posted by U of A departments and units, including the ones students are eligible for. No login needed to browse, so go straight to the careers portal.U of A careers portal · opens in a new tab
Questions
Working in Canada and the Social Insurance Number (SIN)
A SIN is a nine-digit number issued by Service Canada. You need it to work in Canada and to access some government programs or benefits.
Before you rely on this
- Treat it like sensitive personal information: do not put it in resumes, rental applications, social media messages, or casual emails.
Apply through Service Canada online, by mail, or in person. You generally need valid identity and immigration documents. Temporary residents normally need a work permit or a study permit that states they may work or may accept employment. UAlberta welcome programming may also point you to term-specific SIN information.
No. IRCC states that students can only start working in Canada once their study program has started.
Before you rely on this
- Even if your permit allows work, do not begin work before your program start date.
SourcesWork off campus - IRCC
IRCC currently states that eligible students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic terms. Exceeding the limit can violate study-permit conditions and affect future applications.
Before you rely on this
- Because this number has changed in recent years, always verify the current IRCC page before relying on it.
SourcesWork off campus - IRCC
Eligible students may generally work full time during regularly scheduled breaks, such as winter or summer breaks, if they meet IRCC conditions before and after the break. Students on unauthorized leave, not studying full time when required, or between schools may have different restrictions.
SourcesWork off campus - IRCC
IRCC says students whose permits are missing work conditions may need to request an amendment before they can obtain a SIN and work. Contact ISVS if you are unsure.
Before you rely on this
- Do not work and do not apply for a SIN until the permit conditions are fixed.
IRCC announced that, as of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate work permit for required student work placements such as co-ops or internships when the employer is approved by the designated learning institution. Check IRCC and your faculty, because eligibility and implementation details matter.
Use the UAlberta Career Centre for resumes, interviews, job search, career planning, and fraud awareness. campusBRIDGE is a key platform for job postings, career events, experiential learning, and work-integrated learning. International undergraduates should also check whether ISWEP or similar international-student work programs are available in the current year.
SourcesCareer CentrecampusBRIDGE
Be cautious with jobs that ask for money, personal banking information, cryptocurrency transactions, cheque deposits, package forwarding, or work that sounds too easy for unusually high pay. Use the Career Centre and official postings when possible, and never share your SIN until an employer legitimately needs it after hiring.
SourcesCareer Centre
Treat this as a possible job scam. The university warns about fake job offers involving fraudulent cheques, money transfers and requests for personal information. Verify the employer through an independently found official contact before sending information or accepting money.
- Do not deposit a suspicious cheque or forward money to a supposed supplier.
- Contact the named employer or department using contact details you find independently.
- If you already sent funds or banking details, contact your bank immediately.
- Report the incident through university security/support channels and, where appropriate, police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Before you rely on this
- A familiar name or university-looking sender does not establish that the offer is genuine.
SourcesScam awareness for international studentsReport an information security incident