Study and Work in Canada: Everything You Must Know

Being able to study and work in Canada is one of the many benefits that come with schooling in Canada.

Canada today has established itself as one of the most renowned places for foreign students with many reasons why you should study in the country. That being said, there are basically three ways to study and work in Canada:

How to Study and Work in Canada

The following are steps to take when applying to study in Canada:

Choose your preferred course of study
Apply to a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) and get your acceptance letter
Take a language proficiency test
Get your Canadian study permit

These steps can further be broken down thus:

Step #1: Choose Your Preferred Course of Study

When choosing your preferred course of study in Canada, it’s important to check to see if you would do well in that particular field of study.

This is the most crucial phase when preparing to study in Canada.

Choosing a course of study that you won’t be able to cope in would just lead to failure, and even worst, a waste of your finance, with many more demerits. But choosing the right course of study will expose you to various scholarship opportunities to study for free in Canada, as well as improved grades.

Step #2: Apply to a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and Get Your Acceptance Letter

After successfully deciding on your preferred course of study, the next step involves applying to a Canadian designated learning institution.

This is a very vital step because not all universities in Canada have been approved by the provincial government to accept international students for studies. Luckily, there are so many Canadian Designated Learning Institutions for international students that you can choose from.

Step #3: Take a Language Proficiency Test

A language proficiency test is somewhat needed to study in Canada.

You will be required to prove how fluent you are in either the English language or French, and this involves taking any of the following language proficiency tests:

IELTS test
TOEFL iBT test
C1 advanced test
PTE academic test

You will be required to provide the results of one of the above tests when applying for a Canada study permit.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most common English test in Canada.

Step #4: Get Your Canadian Study Permit

This is the final step to prepping your study in Canada. It is your Canada study permit that will allow you to study and work in Canada.

Working while Studying in Canada

As discussed earlier, there are basically two ways to study and work in Canada:

Study and work on or off-campus in Canada
Work as an intern or co-op student in Canada
Work in Canada as a graduate

Yes! As an international student with a study permit, you can study and work in Canada without having to get a Canadian work permit first. You simply just have to meet the major requirements for the available job opportunity.

Whereas studying and working as an intern or co-op student in Canada, you’ll be required to have a Canadian work permit.

Working as a graduate in Canada, you might also be required to apply to get a PGWP (post-graduation) work permit to further secure your job position in Canada. The freedom the Canadian government gives to international students to be able to study and work in Canada is one of the many benefits that come with schooling in Canada.

Foreign students in Canada can work part-time (as much as 20 hours a week) during school sessions, and can also choose to work full-time in scheduled school breaks such as in the event of summer vacation.

Basic Requirements to Study and Work in Canada

A student study permit is what will actually enable you to study and work in Canada without a work permit, however, there are still some other nitty-gritties attached to this…

For instance, your studying and working in Canada can only work if your study permit lets you to, and if it does, you can then proceed to apply for a Canadian SIN (Social Insurance Number) that is crucial to your studying and working in Canada. But, if your study permit doesn’t allow you to study and work in Canada, no worries, this can always be amended for free.

The following conditions will limit you from studying and working in Canada:

Your total course of study is less than 6 months in duration
You are an exchange or visiting student

Why is it Important to Study and Work in Canada?

The importance of working whilst studying in Canada can not be over-emphasized, with its many benefits attached, some of which include

Increased level of work experience
To support, manage and control your daily finances while studying
Ability to connect with professionals in your industry

How to Get a Job in Canada as an International Student?

The following steps will guide you in securing a quality job while schooling as an international student in Canada:

Scout for the job of your dream. This can be done online, at the comfort of your home with websites like Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn and lots more
Leverage various social media platforms to build your connections
Construct a well-drafted CV (Resume) and cover letter that best suits your specific your job type

How Much Does it Cost to Study in Canada?

You can find some of the best cheapest universities in Canada to study in. Basically, most people view Canada as the best place to study for free, but still, all these depend on your specific choice of university to study in within the country.

You can review the best cheapest universities to study in Canada for international students.

And yea… It’s very possible to study in Canada for free!

This can be done by leveraging the various available scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate international students.