International students gain engineering work experience in Canada and abroad prior to graduation. They have the same access as their domestic counterparts to both short-term and long-term co-op opportunities.
Undergraduate students may complete up to 28 months of co-op experience (24 months for 4-year degree programs) in various types of organizations, including for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, startups and research institutions.
Co-op work permit
Co-op jobs are full-time jobs, so you will need to apply for an off-campus (or co-op) work permit to allow you to work up to 40 hours a week.
The Citizenship & Immigration Office can take several months to issue a work permit, so it is best to submit your application to them as soon as possible, at least 4 to 6 months before you intend to start a co-op job.
If you have a valid work permit that will expire while you are on co-op, you need to submit an application to get a new co-op work permit.
International students who do not have a valid co-op work permit will not be allowed to begin a co-op job.
An official letter verifying your status as a co-op student is required for your application.
During the co-op preparation course, all international students will be sent this letter so they can submit their applications for co-op work permits as soon as possible.
If you are not currently taking the preparation course and require this letter, or you need to renew your work permit, please request an official letter from the Centre for Career Growth and Experience by completing a WORK PERMIT LETTER REQUEST FORM to verify your status as a co-op student and submit to us at thecentre@mcmaster.ca.
Submit your application with the Citizenship & Immigration Office.
When you receive your new work permit, please send a scan or screenshot of it right away to us at thecentre@mcmaster.ca so that we can update your OSCARplus record.
To be given access to co-op job postings on OSCARplus, international students must submit one of the following documents:
Document type
Submission process
A valid co-op work permit
Please send a scan or screenshot of your work permit to us at thecentre@mcmaster.ca and we will update your OSCARplus record.
Verification that you have applied for the co-op work permit
Citizenship & Immigration will send you an acknowledgement when they receive your application. Please send us a scan of the acknowledgement letter or forward the acknowledgement email to thecentre@mcmaster.ca
Please note: verification of your application will allow you access to co-op job postings, but you will still require a valid co-op work permit to begin a co-op job. You will need to send us a scan of your work permit when you receive it before we can approve a co-op work term for you.
A work permit and a study permit are two different documents. Our office is only able to provide you with documentation for a work permit.
Student experience
Yuvraj Jain’s journey from a new international student to soon-to-be McMaster University Engineering grad has been transformative.
His time as a co-op student has given him the opportunity to channel his skill set in the professional world through work terms.
Get help with study permits, visas and work permits. The IESE team also offers success coaching, arranges peer support, runs events and administer UHIP: the health insurance plan for international students.
