About the Work Learn program
The Work Learn Program supports and subsidizes meaningful work experiences on and off campus, offering current UBC Vancouver students the opportunity to develop their professional skills in a work environment.
Learn from a mentor, expand your professional network, and gain work experience and skills through a part-time UBC job while taking classes.
Examples of past Work Learn jobs
Employers in the Work Learn Program are faculty, staff, and affiliates with UBC Vancouver. Work Learn positions span a wide range of industries, including research, project coordination, marketing, and more.
Past positions include:
- Indigenous Engagement Climate Emergency Research
- Health Promotion Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Oral Microbiology Project Assistant
- Arena Operations Staff
- Environment Data Analyst
- UBC Library Shelving and Circulation Assistant
- UBC Farm Marketing and Education Assistant
Student experiences
Read the stories below to learn more about student experiences in Work Learn:
- Ife Onwumelu’s story (pdf), Neuroscience, Development Project Assistant
- Hengyin Liao’s story (pdf), Natural Resources Conservation, MGEM Program Assistant
Time commitment
There are 2 sessions of the Work Learn program:
- Winter Session (September 1 to April 30)
You can work up to a maximum of 10 hours per week, which is a total of 300 hours over Winter Term 1 and 2. Some Project Worker and Project Assistant positions can only work a maximum of 4 hours per day, up to a maximum of 10 hours per week. - Summer Session (May 1 to August 31)
You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week, which is a total of 300 hours over Summer Term 1 and 2. Office or Library Worker positions are limited to 10 hours per week, which is a total of 180 hours for the summer session.
Not all positions will offer the maximum number of hours listed above. Employers request how many hours they expect for each position when submitting a proposal to the program. This number varies between units. Check the job listing and confirm with your employer when you are interviewing for a position.
Pay and compensation
Work Learn positions are part-time. Compensation varies depending on the role’s responsibilities and the session it takes place in.
Review the different job categories and rates for each session:
- Winter Session (September to April) Position Classification Guide (pdf)
- Summer Session (May to August) Position Classification Guide (pdf)
When employers submit their proposal for the program, the level and type of work must match the rates and duties as outlined in the Position Classification Guide.
Eligibility requirements
Before you apply, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You are a current student at UBC Vancouver with a UBC student number.
- You have or are planning to apply for a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- You are not holding a Co-op position for the term you plan on holding a Work Learn position.
- You can only hold one Work Learn position at a time.
- Your research for the Work Learn position is not based on your own thesis work.
- You are not holding a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) or Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award.
Specific requirements for students
Depending on what type of student you are, you must meet specific requirements to be eligible for a Work Learn position.
Domestic students
Summer Session (May to August) positions
You must be registered in courses for one of the following:
- The previous term (Winter Term 2)
- The Summer Session (either in Summer Term 1 or 2)
Winter Session (September to April) positions
You must be registered in courses in both Winter Terms 1 and 2 to hold a Work Learn position for the full duration of the Winter Session.
For both Winter Session (September to April) and Summer Session (May to August) positions, you must either be registered in courses or have continuing registration and be paying tuition fees.
Summer Session (May to August) positions
You must be registered in summer courses (either in Summer Term 1 or 2).
Winter Session (September to April) positions
You must be registered in courses in the term you plan to hold a Work Learn position.
Summer Session (May to August) positions
You must be registered in summer courses (either in Summer Term 1 or 2).
Winter Session (September to April) positions
You must be registered in courses in each term you plan to hold a Work Learn position.
Summer Session (May to August) positions
You must be registered in summer courses (either in Summer Term 1 or 2).
Winter Session (September to April) positions
You must be registered in courses in each term you plan to hold a Work Learn position.
You are eligible for a Work Learn position only for the academic term directly following the completion of your courses, regardless of your graduation date. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- If you finish your courses in the Summer Session (August) and graduate in November, you are eligible to hold a Work Learn position in Winter Term 1 only.
- If you finish your courses in Winter Term 1 (December) and graduate in May, you are eligible to hold a Work Learn position in Winter Term 1 and Winter Term 2 only.
- If you finish your courses in Winter Term 2 (April) and graduate in May, you are eligible to hold a Work Learn position in the Summer Session after.
International students
Make sure you have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) before you start your Work Learn position. The application process for a SIN can take several weeks.
Summer Session (May to August) positions
- You must be registered in courses for the previous term (Winter Term 2) or the Summer Session (either Summer Term 1 or 2).
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You must be on a scheduled break, or be considered full time for immigration purposes.
Winter Session (September to April) positions
- You must be registered in courses in both Winter Terms 1 and 2 to hold a Work Learn position for the full duration of the Winter Session.
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You must be considered full time for immigration purposes.
For both Winter Session (September to April) and Summer Session (May to August) positions:
- You must be registered in courses or have continuing registration and paying tuition fees.
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You must be considered full time for immigration purposes in the term(s) you plan on holding a Work Learn position.
For both Winter Session (September to April) and Summer Session (May to August) positions:
- You must have a valid study permit or have applied to extend your study permit and have maintained status.
- You must be enrolled full-time for immigration purposes during academic terms or are eligible to work during a scheduled break.
- Your study permit includes conditions allowing you to work on campus such as, “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v), or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria”.
For both Winter Session (September to April) and Summer Session (May to August) positions:
- You must have a valid study permit or have applied to extend your study permit and have maintained status.
- You must be enrolled full-time for immigration purposes during academic terms and during Summer Session.
- Your study permit includes conditions allowing you to work on campus such as, “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v), or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria”.
- You cannot work during scheduled breaks.
Summer Session (May to August) positions
- You must be registered in summer courses (either Summer Term 1 or 2).
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You must be considered full time for immigration purposes in the term(s) you plan on holding a Work Learn position.
Winter Session (September to April) positions
- You must be registered in courses in each term you plan to hold a Work Learn position.
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You must be considered full time for immigration purposes in the term(s) you plan on holding a Work Learn position.
You are eligible for a Work Learn position only for the academic term directly following the completion of your courses, regardless of your graduation date. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- If you finish your courses in the Summer Session (August) and graduate in November, you are eligible to hold a Work Learn position in Winter Term 1 only.
- If you finish your courses in Winter Term 1 (December) and graduate in May, you are eligible to hold a Work Learn position in Winter Term 1 and Winter Term 2 only.
- If you finish your courses in Winter Term 2 (April) and graduate in May, you are eligible to hold a Work Learn position in the Summer Session after.
Additional requirements
- If you completed program requirements and your program completion letter is not yet available, you are considered by UBC to be full time for immigration purposes and are still eligible to work unlimited hours on campus.
- If your letter of completion is available, you must meet one of the following scenarios:
- You have a valid study permit and you have applied for a work permit, such as a Post-Graduation Work Permit, within 90 days after completing your program at UBC.
- You have an official letter of acceptance into a new academic program, and you have a valid study permit or you have applied to extend your study permit when the old study permit was still valid.
- You have some other form of authorization to work in Canada.
If you have questions about your eligibility, please speak with an International Student Advisor.
Applying for a Work Learn position
There are over 500 Work Learn positions available each term. Work Learn jobs are posted on CareersOnline throughout the year—usually March for summer roles, and August for winter positions.
- Log into CareersOnline.
- On the left sidebar under Opportunities, select “Work Learn Program”.
- Browse jobs and read the job descriptions carefully.
- Follow the application instructions listed on the posting.
If you are interested in creating your own Work Learn position, learn about the program details from a Work Learn supervisor’s perspective and email work.learn@ubc.ca if you have questions about this option.
Tips for applying
- Before applying, learn what to include in your resume and cover letter and how to articulate your employable skills.
- You can apply for as many Work Learn positions that interest you, but be sure to mention skills and experiences relevant to each job posting to increase your chances of being invited for an interview.
- Some job postings interview on a rolling basis, so consider submitting your applications sooner rather than later.
- Review how to prepare for an interview including what to expect during and after your interview.
- For further guidance, visit the UBC Career Centre to meet with a Career Advisor and to access Career Resources.
Work Learn student resources
If you want to apply for a Work Learn job or are currently a Work Learn student, take the Work Learn Fundamentals Canvas course.
Course topics include:
- Finding a Work Learn job
- Navigating the workplace
- How to schedule your hours
- Receiving your payment
- Reflecting on your work experience
The following resources can also help you make the most of your Work Learn experience:
- UBC HR Employee Handbook for Students (pdf)
- UBC Respectful Environment Statement
- Work Learn Student Resource Guide (pdf)
- Work Learn Student FAQ (pdf)
- BC Employment Standards Act (ESA)
If you have questions
Email work.learn@ubc.ca or call 604 822 8278.
Additional resources
Find tips on getting a job, improve your application, or book an appointment with a career advisor.
If you’re an international student, learn what conditions you need to meet to work in Canada.
If you’re planning to work in Canada, you’ll need an SIN to be paid.