10 part time jobs for international students in Canada

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image - students using computer 1080px
Reading time: 6 minutes

In Canada, the average cost of living for an international student is S12,000 CAD per year. So, it makes sense to both work and study in Canada to help cover some costs - as well as to enrich your professional experience abroad. 

Now, what’s the job market like for international students? There are plenty of jobs out there that will allow you to work while you study. In this blog, we’ll outline our 10 top picks for part-time student jobs in Canada:  

1. Jobs on campus   

What you could make: about $11.45-$16 CAD/hour across Canada 

Looking for a job close to university? Well, why not work right at your university? There are a whole range of jobs for international students on campus - such as at the athletic center, the library, or with an organization whose work you care about.  

And, getting a job on campus isn’t just convenient. It also lets you become even more involved in the student community - as well as help you network with other students and professors you may not have otherwise met through your studies.  

How much you make will depend on where you work on campus. However, you will make at least minimum wage. This is different in each province but ranges between $11.45 and $16 CAD/hour across the country.  

2. Barista 

What you could make: $13.26 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

Canadians love coffee. In fact, Canada is actually one of the largest coffee-consuming countries in the world. So, what better place to experience Canadian culture than at a coffee shop? Working as a barista will not only teach you how to make some delicious hot drinks, but also give you the chance to practice your English skills as you chat with customers.  

Canada’s famous coffee chain, Tim Hortons, is by far the most prevalent coffee shop in the country. There are more than 5000 Tim Hortons restaurants worldwide (and the big majority of them are in Canada!). 

3. Snow Removal/landscaping 

What you could make: $20 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

If you don’t mind the cold, snow removal might be a great high-paying job for you. This involves shoveling snow from sidewalks and driveways, as well as putting salt down on walkways or stairs so people don’t slip and fall. Since it doesn’t snow all-year-round, snow removal companies often work with the same people to landscape in the spring and summer, or rake leaves in the fall - it’s a four-season job! 

4. Sales assistant  

What you could make: $17 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

Being a sales assistant is a great way to practice your language skills in a fast-paced environment. As a sales assistant, you’ll operate the cash register and support customers in the store. It’s a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, but you likely won’t have to work very early mornings or late nights.  

5. Server 

What you could make: $12.20 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

The restaurant industry is a great place to work in Canada. Tipping is part of Canadian culture - it’s common to tip 15-25% - so you can expect to get paid quite well. In fact, some servers at busy restaurants can make hundreds of dollars in tips a night! It’s one of the reasons being a server is so popular among students who work and study in Canada.  

6. Tour guide  

What you could make: $15.50 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

Are you an energetic people person? Being a tour guide could be a great opportunity. Whether you work with a museum, walking tour company, or tourist attraction, you’ll get to share the knowledge you have of your new city. You also have the chance to meet interesting people from around the world, and perhaps even give tours in your own language to tourists from home.  

7. Dog walker  

What you could make: $13 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

If you’re used to having a dog at home, it can feel weird to be without your furry friend while studying abroad - we get it! So, why not try out dog walking? It’s great exercise, and better yet, spending time with a dog can help reduce stress. Sounds like the perfect job to us.  

8. Teaching assistant  

What you could make: $25.15 CAD/hour on average across Canada 

Being a teaching assistant is a popular job for university students in Canada - especially since it’s a position that gives you professional experience in your industry. As a teaching assistant you’ll help with lectures, marking, and support students in their studies, and professors usually require you to be a graduate student or have experience in the course.   

9. Residence advisor 

What you could make: about $7500-$9000 CAD/2 semesters  

A residence advisor is an undergraduate student who lives in residence with fellow students (usually 1st years) and is responsible for their well-being on campus. They act as role models, help to build community, and plan team-building events for students. It’s an excellent job to put on your resume to demonstrate those important leadership skills. Plus, many residence advisors get a rent subsidy - which is a good benefit.  

10. The National Research Council Student Employment Program  

What you could make: $563-$1274 CAD/week (when working full time) 

The Student Employment Program by Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) is an opportunity open to international students studying full-time at Canadian educational institutions. It offers you the chance to work at a Canadian research facility for four months. You will contribute to research and development projects in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, math), business, marketing, finance, and more. Learn more about the program here.  

How many hours can I work? 

If you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution, you can work up to 20 hours each week off-campus during the semester. Then, during scheduled breaks (like during summer vacation) you can work full time. Unlike in the UK, you can also be self-employed as an international student in Canada.  

You might be interested in our blog: How to apply for a Canadian student visa 

Where should I look for work?  

There are plenty of websites that can help you look for work in Canada. The Government of Canada’s Job Bank is designed specifically for people aged 15-30 to look for both full-time and part-time jobs. There are also websites like Indeed, Workopolis, and Monster.  

Overall, there are many job opportunities for international students in Canada. And after you graduate, you can also apply for a Canadian post-graduation work permit – which may allow you to stay in Canada to work for up to three years.  

Read more about Canada’s post-graduation work permit our blog, and learn more about how PTE Academic can help you succeed in Canada today.

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    Job opportunities for international students in the UK
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Studying abroad is rarely cheap. Even if you’ve got a scholarship, a job on the side can help you live a little more comfortably during your degree. Luckily, there are lots of jobs for international students in the UK. You just need to know where to find them.  

    Once you arrive, you’ll be able to do the traditional resumé drop-offs and ask about opportunities in the store. But you don’t have to wait until then to start your hunt. Jumping online and applying in advance is the best method for getting a job in the UK for international students. It’s also nice to know that you’ve got a casual or part-time position waiting for you.  

    This quick guide discusses a variety of jobs in the UK for international applicants including: 

    • Part-time jobs in the UK for international students

    • Summer jobs in the UK for international students 

    • Graduate jobs for international students in the UK

       

    Part-time jobs in the UK for international students

    If you’ve got strong time-management and organization skills, working a part-time job while you study can be an effective way to earn an income. On an international student visa (Student route visa), you’re able to work up to 20 hours per week during the term. 

    Common part-time jobs for international students in the UK include: 

    • Receptionist

    • Retail worker

    • Mystery shopper

    • Shelf packer 

    • Waiter/barista/bar tender

    • Student ambassador

    • Library assistant

    Would you prefer a part-time job that is more academic in nature will intellectually challenge you as much as your actual course? You might consider becoming a research assistant at your university.

    If you’re studying a postgraduate degree or PhD, you could even apply for part-time teaching jobs in the UK for international students. Sharing your experience with undergraduates in tutorials is a great way to solidify your own knowledge while earning some money.

    The UK’s largest job databases are a good place to start your hunt:

    If you’ve got a specific job in mind, try searching for a niche jobs website (e.g. C+D Jobs is a great place to find pharmacy jobs in the UK for international students).

    Most UK universities have support services that can help you find a part-time job (as well as a job after you graduate). As an example, the career center at University College London helps UCL students with all types of career-related activities – including finding part-time jobs in London for international students. Similarly, the University of Edinburgh runs a careers service where international students can get advice about part-time jobs in Scotland. Visit your chosen university’s website to see what kind of career services they provide.

    Summer jobs in the UK for international students 

    Prefer to focus all your time and energy on your studies? That’s alright – a casual job during semester breaks might be a good alternative for you. A student visa allows you to work full-time during vacation periods.

    Most of the part-time jobs listed above are also great options for working during your time off. You may also find an opportunity over summer to work as a:

    • Sales representative

    • Event assistant

    • Call center operator

    • Private tutor

    The resources previously mentioned for part-time jobs are also relevant for international students finding a summer job in the UK. You should also consider talking to your university’s career support staff about any summer internships that might be available – these can provide a great experience and give you a foot in the door.

    Graduate Jobs in the UK for International Students

    As your final exam and graduation approach, you’ll naturally start thinking about your first job after university. The UK’s immigration program will allow you to transition from a student visa to a working visa if you secure a position that meets the relevant salary and time criteria.

    This is where your university’s career center will really come in handy, so make sure you’ve made appointments with them well ahead of your last class. They can help you find and apply for UK jobs for international graduates.

    Many jobsites allow you to filter your search to jobs that are marked as suitable for new graduates. Check that you’re searching in the right area/with the right filter.  

    Whether you’re looking for a part-time role while you study or a full-time job to extend your stay in the UK, you’ll find a wide range of opportunities available to you.

  • Image- Woman reading - 800px
    Reading: Self-Improvement
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    There are many ways you can improve your chances of gaining points in Part 2: Reading during PTE Academic.

    To improve your reading skills, practice increasing your reading speed and comprehension at the same time. In turn, you will improve your writing, grammar and vocabulary skills.

    To do well in this part of the test, you need to be able to read quickly, using effective reading strategies, as there is a limited time to answer all questions.

    Speed reading tasks will help improve your reading speed. Practice speed reading every day and:

    • Aim to be reading at least 220 words per minute

    • Reading short articles of around 300 words

    • Read often for short periods of time

    You can also try this as a challenge with your friends to help keep motivated. Once you are happy with your comprehension and speed, focus on chunks (groups of words) rather than individual words.

    When your reading skills reach a level you are happy with, you will feel more confident to answer the questions.

    Multiple-choice, choose single answer

    In the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer question type, some test takers make the mistake of scan reading and matching the words in the text to the words in the answer. Generally, the words in the text are not used in the correct answer, therefore it is important to learn how to use synonyms and paraphrasing as it will be used in the test.

    Learn how to improve your grammar in our Reading: Core Skills part 1 article.

    Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers

    In this question type, you will need more time than in the Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer question type, as you need to intensively read the stem (the part before the options) as well as the options, then scan read the text on the screen until you find the part of the text that contains information that was in the stem.

    Read the options very carefully and match the meaning of the option with the text. Do not match the words – this is something test takers may make errors with.

    You should also make sure not to choose all the options since you lose one point for each incorrect choice. However, you cannot score below zero.

    Re-order paragraphs

    To do well in the Re-order Paragraphs questions, you will need to have a strong understanding of cohesive devices and how they work. You will also need to understand how articles work, as well as the logical and chronological order of information.

    In this question type, skim-read the text to get the ideas of the topic of the text. From there, you should read all the sentences carefully.

    Fill in the blanks and reading & writing: fill in the blanks

    For both Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks question types, you will need to understand a range of vocabulary, collocations, grammar, pronouns, and cohesive devices, as well as being able to identify when plural nouns are needed.

    You will also need to be able to skim read to get an idea of the meaning of the text, then read intensively before and after each blank. If unsure, you should guess based on the context.

    Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. You do not need to correctly fill in all spaces to get points.

    To go back and review the question types within the reading test, we suggest learning more about the reading questions.

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