Work while you study
Directed Research Assistant (DRA) posts on this site, and three places to look elsewhere. Start with whichever matches what you are after.
Check your work permit first
On-campus work, off-campus work and Co-op placements each have different rules for study permit holders, and a placement usually needs its own work permit. Confirm what you are allowed to do before you apply, not after you are offered something.
Work and SIN questionsLive board
Directed Research Assistant (DRA) postings and similar paid lab work, put up 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.
Three fixed references, and between them most of the paid work a U of A student can apply for.
Directory
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.
Walkthrough
The university's own job board: student and alumni postings, plus GSIP internships for master's and PhD students. Signing in, searching and applying, screen by screen.
U of A careers
Every job posted by U of A departments and units, including the ones students are eligible for. No login needed to browse.
Paid internships and experience programs with their own application windows.
Career Centre
A one-day visit with a community professional to watch their work and learn about a career. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and eligible alumni.
Runs in the Fall and Winter terms. Check the program page for the current visit days and application window.
Summer work for eligible international undergraduates. Graduate international students are not eligible; for graduate internships, see GSIP on campusBRIDGE.
The Summer 2026 board is closed. Check the page for the next cycle.
Mitacs
Paid internships with a company or organization in Canada, set up with a U of A professor. Accelerate funds research projects and the Business Strategy Internship funds business work. Each four to six month unit is worth $10,000 to $15,000, and international students can apply.
No deadline. Apply any time with your supervisor, and allow six to eight weeks for review.
Technology Alberta
Paid, part-time work terms with Alberta tech companies for students and recent graduates in business, arts, science and technology. It pays $20 an hour, the work can be remote, and international students can join within their off-campus hour limit.
Between cohorts. The last one ended in April 2026, and the application form takes sign-ups for the next.
Hours, permits, the Social Insurance Number and the scams aimed at students looking for work.
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
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
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.
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
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 the International Student Summer Employment Program (ISSEP, formerly ISWEP), which posts summer jobs on campusBRIDGE; graduate international students are not eligible.
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.
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.
Before you rely on this
