International Students
As an international student, you may have unique questions about your co-op pertaining to work permits, Canadian work culture, tuition, and more! Please review the following information to help you prepare and feel confident completing your co-op as an international student.
Work Permits
As an international student, you need a to access the campusBRIDGE Engineering Co-op job board and to legally work for a co-op employer. Once you accept an offer of admission to a co-op specialization, you are expected to apply for your co-op work permit as soon as possible.
This involves the following:
- Obtain a Co-op Confirmation Letter from the co-op office: In August, the co-op office provides an official letter indicating that you are enrolled in a program that requires work term placements. You will be notified by email once this letter is available.
- You will need this letter to apply for your co-op work permit: Book an appointment to meet with an advisor at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ International to complete and submit your application. Don’t forget to apply for your Social Insurance Number, too!
You must inform the Co-op Office as soon as you receive your work permit. This can be done by emailing your work permit to coopinq@ualberta.ca. After we have confirmed that you have received your work permit, you will be able to view and apply to job postings in .
Work Permit Renewals
International students are responsible for ensuring that their co-op work permits are renewed prior to the start of the next round of recruitment. Work permits must be valid for the length of the next work term.
You need to request a new Co-op confirmation letter from the Co-op Office in order to renew your work permit. When requesting a new confirmation letter, please allow a minimum of one week for the document to be prepared.
If you allow your work permit to expire, you must reapply as if it is your first time applying. We strongly recommend that students apply for work permit renewals well in advance of the expiration date listed on their work permit.
Canadian Work Culture
Canadian work culture has its own expectations and values, which may differ from those in your home country. Understanding Canadian workplace norms, communication styles, and professional etiquette can help you adapt and succeed. Cultural differences in teamwork, hierarchy, and work-life balance may influence your workplace experiences. Be open to learning and observing how your co-workers interact with each other. Check out this work culture Canadian work culture slide deck for tips on how to seamlessly join and contribute to Canadian workplaces.
International Student Tuition
International students on a tuition guarantee model who are branched into a Co-op program maintain their original tuition guarantee total. As a co-op degree takes an extra year to complete, your remaining tuition for your program (your total guarantee minus what you paid for your foundational year) is divided over 4 years rather than 3 years. Your overall guaranteed total tuition will not change. Please note that you are still assessed the standard non-instructional fees in addition to your tuition each term in which you register. Please review your tuition guarantee for the registration conditions and requirements for your guarantee. Learn more about international student fees »
Note: In the event that a student was unable to obtain employment in a given work term, or became unemployed during a work term due to circumstances beyond their control, the fee would be refunded.
Driver’s Licences
Many co-op positions require a driver’s licence. Not having a valid licence is one of the largest barriers international students face to securing employment. We strongly encourage students to consider getting their license.
For more information, please visit the Government of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ webpage “”. If you already have a driver’s licence from your home country, please see the government website for “.”