Canadian Universities With Co-op for International Students in 2027
- Study in
- Canada
- Levels
- Undergraduate, Masters
- Funding
- Not a scholarship
- Covers
- Work placements built into a degree, under a study permit; pay and terms vary by employer and programme
- Who can apply
- International students in eligible full-time post-secondary programmes with a study permit that allows on-campus work
- Run by
- Individual Canadian universities; work rules set by IRCC
On this page
Canada co-op for international students means work terms built into your degree, and many Canadian universities offer it. Each university runs its own programme, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the work rules. A required placement can now run under your study permit, with no separate work permit.
Status: No single deadline. Each university and programme sets its own dates. The university pages reviewed here set no limit by nationality, but you do need a valid study permit that allows on-campus work (checked November 4, 2026).
What changed for work permits
IRCC announced that from April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit. If you already hold a co-op work permit, you can use it until it expires.
Who can do a placement
Under the IRCC student work placement rules, you must meet all of these conditions:
- Your study permit allows on-campus work.
- Your school gives you a letter confirming the placement is required for your programme.
- Your study permit is valid, or you applied to extend it before it expired.
- You study full time in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional programme.
- The placement totals 50% or less of your programme.
The on-campus remark does not mean the job must be on campus. You can work for any employer your school’s placement programme accepts, and IRCC sets no weekly hour limit on the placement. Placements are not allowed for English or French as a second language courses, general interest courses, or courses that prepare you for another programme. Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit.
Key details by university
| University | What the official page says |
|---|---|
| University of Waterloo | International students admitted to a co-op programme can work under their study permit. See Waterloo co-op permit resources. |
| University of British Columbia | International students are welcome to apply. Most postings are open to them, but some roles may be limited to Canadian citizens. See UBC Co-op for international students. |
| Simon Fraser University | International students can join co-op. Undergraduates can normally do up to four work terms. Graduate and second degree students can normally do up to two. See SFU co-op admission. |
| University of Toronto Scarborough | You need a cGPA of 2.5 or higher and 7 credits before your first work term. Your first work term begins in second year. See the Arts and Science co-op guide for international students. |
| Memorial University | A study permit covers a mandatory placement, but you still need a letter confirming that. See Memorial immigration information. |
| University of Victoria | Students from outside Canada can do paid co-op, including terms abroad. You must stay full time for every placement. See UVic co-op for international students. |
How to apply
- Choose a degree that includes co-op, then read that programme’s page.
- Apply for admission. Check whether co-op is automatic or needs a second application.
- Check your study permit when it arrives. Look for the remark that allows on-campus work. If it is missing, ask your university’s immigration adviser about an amendment before your work term.
- Get your Social Insurance Number if your work needs one.
- Get your confirmation letter from the co-op office, then search for approved jobs.
Tips before you apply
- Do not assume co-op is guaranteed. Waterloo requires admission to a co-op programme, and UTSC can stop a student with a low cGPA from job searching.
- Check medical exam rules early. IRCC can require an exam for work in a hospital or a similar place where public health matters.
- Stop work if your permit expires and you did not apply to extend it.
- Trust the IRCC page if a department page disagrees. Some university pages still carry older wording about applying for a work permit.
Related guides
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- 8 master’s degree pathways in Europe for an AI career (2027 entry)
- TOEFL exam preparation in 2026: format, fees and a study plan
Details are taken from the official IRCC and university websites, checked on November 4, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.
