Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards

To be eligible to apply for an award, you must meet all the following requirements:

• You are an international undergraduate student at the UBC Vancouver Campus.
• You have a valid study permit.
• You are on a scheduled break or are considered full time for immigration purposes.
• You have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you don't, it can take several weeks to apply for one. 
• You are residing in Canada during your work term.
• You will be engaged in research activities at the UBC Vancouver campus on a full-time basis (35 paid hours per week plus a 1-hour unpaid lunch break) for at least 16 weeks.
• You will be working under the supervision of a faculty member.

If you are an international undergraduate student that is graduating, you are eligible only for the academic term directly after you complete your program requirements, regardless of your graduation date.

Students who finish their courses in Winter Term 2 (April) and graduate in the spring (May) will be eligible to hold a Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award in the summer term.

Work authorization documents

UBC students who have completed their program requirements and whose program completion letter is not yet available are considered “full time for immigration purposes” by UBC.

If your letter of completion is available, you must have applied for a post-graduation work permit or have some other form of authorization to work in Canada. If you have questions about your work eligibility, please speak with an International Student Advisor.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary work authorization documents to work after completing your studies.

Undergraduate international students who are planning to work full-time during the summer (as is the case for Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award recipients) must be on a scheduled break to meet the full-time definition for immigration purposes.

Award value

These awards have a value of $6,000 each ($8,000 for Faculty of Arts). This amount will be reimbursed to your project supervisor's account.

Faculty supervisors are required to supplement the amount of the award using other sources such as university funds or other funds from research grants to meet BC’s minimum wage requirements. 

Work payment and benefits

The minimum pay for the tenure of your award of 16 weeks is $8,654.46 (inclusive of 4% vacation pay).  If the award is longer than 16 weeks, your pay should increase by a minimum of $553.28 for each additional week (inclusive of 4% vacation pay) or $110.66 for each additional day (inclusive of 4% vacation pay).

Supervisors are also required to fund benefits (Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), Workers Compensation Board (WCB)) amounting to approximately 7.48% of the salary.

You will receive your payment from the university in accordance with its pay procedures. You will also receive a T4 or T4A slip (Statement of Income) for tax purposes from UBC Payroll. Learn about taxes in Canada.

We will not reimburse your supervisor for any period during which you worked part-time. No payment will be approved for any vacation leave you take during the work period of the award.

Tips for connecting with a professor

• Know what you are going to say. Be prepared to talk about your interests, knowledge areas, and lab or volunteer experience.

• Familiarize yourself with the professor's research subject so you can ask informed questions. This will show that you are genuinely interested in helping with their research.

• Bring a copy of your resume.

• Regardless of whether you get the opportunity or not, thank the professor for their time after you meet with them.

Please email the Senior Program Assistant at worklearn.iura@ubc.ca or call 604 827 2937 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

You can also learn more about the award's frequently asked questions (pdf).