ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½

Practicum and Work Placement

What is Practicum and Work Experience as a Student?

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Programs with Practicum and Work Experience

Who can participate in a Practicum and Work Experience

If Your Study Permit Is Missing Work Conditions

How to Request to Amend a Study Permit

Important Considerations

Next Steps

What is Practicum and Work Experience as a Student?

A  is a required component of an academic program that is approved by your  (DLI). It provides students with practical, hands-on experience related to their field of study. 

Work placements may include practicum, co-op placements, internships, clinical training, or other forms of applied learning. These opportunities are available only to students enrolled at a Canadian DLI and do not apply to students studying at institutions outside of Canada. 

While many ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ (ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½) programs include a mandatory work placement component, not all programs offer practicum or co-op opportunities. 

If your ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ program includes a required student work placement, you must ensure that you meet all placement requirements and that your study permit includes the appropriate conditions authorizing you to work. Details about internship/work practicum can be found in your Letter of Acceptance (LOA).  

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Programs with Practicum Experience

Many ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ programs include a mandatory student work placement component as part of the curriculum. These placements provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities related to your field of study. 

Refer to the list below to find programs that include a student work placement requirement. 

Practicum and Work Experience Required 

Early Childhood Education and Health Sciences programs  

Students participating in work placements that involve working with children or in healthcare settings, such as Early Childhood Education, Health Care Assistant, Optician, or Dental Technology Sciences programs, are strongly recommended to complete an  (IME). This is recommended even if applicants from their country of origin are exempt from a medical exam when applying for a study permit. 

Failure to complete an IME may result in study permit conditions that do not authorize participation in a student work placement, making you ineligible to complete the required practicum or clinical components of your program. 

Who can participate in a Practicum and Work Experience

To be eligible for a student work placement, the placement must be a required component of your study program. 

As a ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ student, you may participate in a student work placement if you meet all of the following requirements: 

• You have a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ confirming that the internship/work practicum is required to complete your program (Field 24) 

• Your program is at least 6 months in length, at the post-secondary level, and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate  

• The work placement makes up 50% or less of your total program of study 

• You hold a valid study permit, or you applied to extend it before it expired  

• Your study permit includes a condition allowing you to work on campus  

• You are enrolled as a full-time student at a ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, unless you are in your final semester 

You may also need to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). 

When You Must Stop your Practicum and Work Experience 

You must stop participating in your student work placement if any of the following apply: 

• You stop studying full-time (unless you are in your final semester)  

• Your study permit expires  

• You are on an authorized leave from your studies  

• You have transferred schools and are not currently studying  

You may resume your work placement only if: 

• You return to full-time studies, and  

• You continue to meet all eligibility requirements 

If Your Study Permit Is Missing Work Conditions

If you are eligible to participate in a student work placement but your study permit does not include the appropriate work conditions, you must request an amendment before starting any work. You are not authorized to work without the required conditions on your study permit. 

Eligible conditions include: 

• “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per . Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.” 

• “This permit does not authorize the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per . Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.” 

How to Request to Amend a Study Permit

There is no fee to . Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before applying. 

1. Read the  and download the application forms 
2. Provide your correct and complete current mailing address (this is where your amended study permit will be sent)  
3. Complete, sign, and date your application forms  
4.  
5. Tip: Include the document checklist as a cover page and organize documents in the same order 

Important Considerations

Next Steps

• Please review your study permit to ensure all your information is accurate and that ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ is listed as your DLI. 

• Confirm that your study permit includes one of the required work conditions listed above 

• Upload a copy of your study permit to your myÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ account: Tutorial - How to Upload Document in myÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. 

• Apply for your  (if applicable).  

• Visit the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Career Guidance page to help you prepare your Resume and Cover Letter.  

The content on this page reflects the information available at the time of its publication. It is important to acknowledge that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other government departments regularly revise their policies. For the latest information, please visit  (IRCC) website. 

Latest Updated: April 9, 2026