Like any other aspiring foreign student, you might be wondering about how you can keep up with all your educational and living expenses―which probably might lead you to the question, “Can I work and study in Canada?” The short answer to this is, “Yes!”
Choosing to study abroad usually means that you have enough funds to cover your stay during the entire study period, however, this isn’t the case for many. Most international students have to work part-time to sustain their studies. Although this can be very tough, the success stories coming from our Fil-Global graduates show that working while studying is feasible.
Now, if you’re interested in the study and work program, join me as I explore more about the work privilege given to Canadian students, some FAQs, including the potential earnings you’ll make when working part-time while studying.
Work and Study in Canada for International Students
Like most study abroad programs, foreign students who chose to study in Canada are allowed to work part-time (20 hours) during the school term and full-time (40 hours) during breaks. Students enjoy these perks out of their student visa permit.
In some cases, such as those enrolled in Co-op courses, a paid internship is included as part of the curriculum, which means students can work according to the allocated hours. Taking up programs that feature the Co-op option is another way to earn while studying.
The benefits of working alongside studying are numerous in terms of career growth and character building, especially if you are working in an industry related to your area of study. According to research conducted by Eurostudent, learners pointed the development of their oral communication, leadership, and teamwork skills after spending some time as a working student.
Work experiences are valuable and offer lessons that cannot be learned inside a teaching room. This is probably why educational ministries couldn’t discount the provision of legal working hours to foreign students.
So, let’s say your financial capacity doesn’t require you to work and earn, would you still go and find a job? I say, yes! If you want to widen your network, improve your social skills, and learn time management, working and studying can give you life-changing benefits.
Frequently Answered Questions for Canada International Students
1. Is there a work permit for international students in Canada?
Students are presented with different opportunities in Canada. Some of the Fil-Global members have even found sponsors while their studies were still ongoing.
Work permits can be issued to an international student when an employer decides to provide sponsorship, however, such a situation will require the student to stop studying. If the student decides to finish the program instead, a post-grad work permit can be issued whenever found as qualified.
2. Can I work and study in Canada for free?
For you to be able to work while studying, a student permit will be required. Unfortunately, studying in Canada entails fees. But, there are various ways to make your study abroad plans budget-friendly.
Explore the options below and see how you can secure an international education affordably:
Apply for a scholarship discount.
3. How much can we earn in Canada while studying?
According to talent.com, an international student can earn around CAD 47,698 to CAD 58,380 per year, roughly around CAD 29.94 per hour. For those with extensive experience, students can earn as much as CAD 72,500 per year.
So, the question is, would you be earning enough money to cover your expenses in Canada? The average living cost in Canada is around CAD 1,050 to 1,300. Here’s the breakdown:
Rent: CAD 700 - 900
Food: CAD 250 - 300
Transportation: CAD 50 - 100
Telephone CAD 50
During term time, the lowest amount you can earn in a month is CAD 2,395.20, based on the 2021 hourly rate for international students. This means you still have CAD 1,095.20 extra money to spend! You can save it to pay for your tuition fees or use it for recreational activities!
4. Can I stay in Canada after finishing my studies?
There are different ways for a student to continue living in Canada. The easiest way would be to find an employer. However, if you’re more determined to establish a robust career, I suggest finishing your course and getting the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
To guarantee a PGWP status, make sure to enroll in an eligible course. Talk to our friendly consultants to know more about the program.
People can have different situations and there can be many factors that may come into play, but the fact that the answer to the question―“Can I work and study in Canada?” is a “Yes!”, having the means to generate funds should be enough to guarantee that you can survive the life of an international student.