STUDY IN UK

1. About the country
The United Kingdom consists of four countries, united under one government. The countries are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each has a distinct culture and feel of its own. UK contains over 80 percent of the total population.Every year a lot of international students come to Study in UK.
College Fit: At the higher education level, students have a wide range of options when they choose a college or university. Although there are agencies that attempt to rank colleges and universities, the concept of “fit?? is also important. The GPA* of admitted students are important, but majors offered, location, number of students enrolled, and campus culture are all factors influencing a prospective student’s decision. Some colleges and universities are publicly funded, while others are privately supported.
Popular student destinations: The top universities in UK are University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, Imperial College London, University of Durham etc. (in no particular order). Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in London, followed by Cambridge, Oxford, and Manchester.
Popular courses: Sociology and Social Studies, Law, Business Management, Computer Science, Communications/Media are the popular courses Indian students pursue in UK.
Safety in UK: As a student, you will be as safe in the UK as you are at home. When you get to your college there will be loads of other students who will give you all the information you need about the place. You will find that the country is multicultural and you will soon have friends from all over the world.
Weather
UK has a variable climate changing from day to day. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general, the summers are warm and winters see snowfall. Summers are cooler than those of India.
England – Compared to other places in UK, England is sunnier throughout the year. On some occasions, there can be strong winds. Also, the rains are unpredictable and it could rain at any time during the year. London, Manchester, Birmingham are some of the popular cities. The average temperature in summers is around 25℃ to 15℃ in winters it is around 7℃ to 0℃.
Scotland – The climate of Scotland is temperate and can be very unpredictable. Rainfall is not uniform across Scotland, with the western parts getting a lot more rains than the eastern parts. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen are the major cities. The average temperature in summers is around 19℃ to 10℃; in winters it is around 6℃ to -1℃.
Wales – In Wales, most of the rain tends to fall between October and January. Days in winters are shorter and the region experiences snow. Summers are warmer than other parts of UK. Cardiff, Newport, Swansea are some of the popular cities here. The average temperature in summers is around 23℃ to 12 ℃ in winters it is around 8℃ to 1℃.
Northern Ireland –This region has relatively mild winters and cool summers. Northern Ireland is cloudier than England and gets less sunshine comparatively. Belfast, Lisburn, Newry are some of the popular cities here. The average temperature in summers is around 19℃ to 10℃; in winters it is around 8℃ to 0℃.
Lifestyle tips
All international students to UK will need a letter from the college in order to open a bank account. The college will give you this letter during the induction and registration events. It is essential that all UK international students register with a local doctor. Again, the college will help you arrange this during the induction and registration events. You will have full access to a wide range of clubs and societies at the university. The college also arranges social events throughout your study period. Typically, this would include city tours, ice-skating, ten-pin bowling, and visits to other cities in the UK.
Indians living in UK
Indians are UK’s largest ethnic minority group. There were nearly 1.6 million Indian immigrants living in the United Kingdom in 2008. The majority of all Indian immigrants resided in three cities: London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The rest of the Indian immigrants live in major metropolitan areas like Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Belfast.
2. Student life
Accommodation
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to live in university managed accommodation, or with a private landlord. Choosing university managed accommodation can also give you a catered or self-catered option. The catered accommodation offers the benefits of your meals being cooked for you and a degree of certainty with meal costs.
If you have an idea about what you prefer, the accommodation office at your university will be able to tell you what accommodation they have available – so that’s the place to start. If you are thinking of renting from a private landlord or if your chosen university can’t offer you anything in its own residential facility, the accommodation office should be able to provide you with a list of private properties and landlords in the area.
Wherever you choose to live, you should make sure that you know your contractual rights and responsibilities. In most cases, you will be asked to enter into a tenancy agreement, which you should read thoroughly before you sign.
The kind of accommodation options available would be –
- Short-term accommodation – Hostels and hotels. Temporary housing which may be offered through your institution while you get settled. Talk to your institution’s international support staff or check their website for details.
- Rental – You can rent or ‘lease’ a property by yourself or with friends. This can be done through a real estate agent or privately.
- On-Campus – Living can be a great option to minimize travel. Most universities have comfortable and furnished apartment-style living on campus or close by.
- Homestay – This option allows you to live with a family in their home.
Orientation
Orientation week is mandatory for international students, to ensure that you arrive before it starts. This is the time where you will be introduced to the university and its services, as well as enroll in your classes. It is essential that you read your guidebook, which is provided by the college. The guide explains each part of the admission process.
Activities
Along with sports, colleges offer extra-curricular activities that provide students with a wide range of experiences. Music, drama, science and literary societies in colleges offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities. Visits to theaters, concerts, and places relevant to the courses of study such as art galleries and museums, religious centers or historical sites, scientific companies and projects are all part of college life.
3. Admission process Study In UK
Requirements
These vary between study programs and levels. For each course, Indian students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. Along with that a minimum academic record of 65% and above for humanities stream in class XII, and 70 – 80% and above for Science/Commerce stream in class XII will also be required. Foundations and Diploma programs are available for students who have secured below 60%. The student should have completed 18 years of age before joining a degree program.
It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purpose, the actual numbers may differ from university to university
The following documents also need to be submitted Study In UK:
- 1. Attested copies of mark sheets of class X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
- 2. At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently
- 3. If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
- 4. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Timeline
Here is a timeline to follow to get admission steps completed in time:
12-18 months before enrollment
- Start researching and select 8-12 universities that you will apply to. Visit university websites and note application requirements, deadlines etc.
- Learn about options to fund your studies.
- Make custom application strategies for different universities.
10-12 months prior to enrolment
- This is the time when you shift from the preparation mode to creating the application. Think hard about what makes you unique as an applicant and sketch out your strengths and self-assessment.
- Register yourself and start preparing for required standardized tests like GMAT, GRE, UKCAT, TOEFL or IELTS – depending on the course and university.
10 months before enrolment
- Begin by downloading admissions brochures from the university websites.
- Start working on the UCAS admission form and application.
- Search for and begin applying for external scholarships (if applicable).
- Take standardized tests like GMAT and TOEFL.
- Contact your professors and direct managers for at least two reference letters.
- Begin drafting your SOP and essays.
- Alongside your admission applications, plan for your expenses like applying for an education loan.
Enrolments
- Apply before the deadline!
- You may have to appear for a video interview in front of the admissions committee.
- You will get your rejection letter via e-mail by April-June (the months may vary). The acceptance letter helps you attain student visa.
- Gather paperwork for your student visa.
- Depending on the deadline, you will need to notify the universities of your decision, pay a non-refundable deposit, and apply for your student visa.
4. Exams
Language exams
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests, which are required to be taken for the purpose of getting admission into colleges. These follow different formats, structure and result bands. These tests are different in various ways but many colleges ask for any one of the results. So it’s up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.
General exams
5. Cost of living
School expenses
The cost of living depends heavily on what part of UK will you be living in along with how much you will socialize. Some of the basic elements for living as an international student in the UK are:
- Accommodation rent ( on campus or off campus )
- Groceries and food
- Utilities like electricity, water, gas, Internet
- Phone bills
- Text and reference books
- Airfare for traveling back to India
Other elements which may differ from person to person would be:
- Dining out
- Travel and Vacation
- Car rent and Car insurance
- Cable TV connection
International students in the UK have to pay more tuition fee in comparison to the students from the UK or EU. The tuition fee varies according to different universities, courses, and the city. For international students, fee starts with £10,000 (~US$14,130) and go up to £38,000 (~US$53,700) or more for medical degrees. The average cost of studying in the UK is around £22,200 (~US$31,380) per year and those who want to stay in London needs to spend much higher.
Living expenses
As part of the new visa requirements, if you are an international student, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) requires you to have a budget of at least £1,265 per month to study in London, in addition to the tuition fees. If the campus is outside of London, you will require a minimum budget of £1,015 per month as requested by the UKBA. On an average, you may need around £200 to £300 per week to live in or around London. It is just an estimate, and the final costs will vary depending on your lifestyle, place of residence and how much you socialize.
Other Essential Costs
Costs of other essential items depend on one’s lifestyle and the place you live. Like the average food bill for a week costs £50. A meal at a restaurant can cost around £15-£25, whereas a meal at a pub can cost around £8-£12. Here is a table that will help you understand the costs of some of the items in the UK. This amount is subject to change.
Particulars | Price in London |
---|---|
Utility bills (water, gas, and electricity) | £50/month |
Phone bill | £10 – £30/month |
One bus ride | £1.50 |
Travel (buses, trams, and trains) | £90/month |
Gym membership | £50/month |
Big Mac | £3.19 |
Beerc | £3.60 |
Glass of wine | £3.61 |
Health insurance
Insurance Policy is mandatory for international students, as students have to stay abroad for a long period of time. However, now students need not buy a separate health insurance policy, as now it is part of the student visa issued to them. The insurance helps students during the time of hospitalization as it covers all costs and they do not need to pay any money themselves.
Scholarships
Merit and need-based fee waivers are awarded to international students. Candidate with strong academics, good performance in standardized exams and extracurricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the presentation of the application is also important because one is judged by the image one projects.
Documents required: The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows, although the requirements may differ:
- Academic records and photocopies
- A recent CV
- A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
- Certificate of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
- Letters of Reference (LOR)
Loans
Student eligibility criteria – The first thing is to be aware of is whether you are eligible to apply for the loan or not. The general eligibility criteria that are followed by all the banks are –
- You should be an Indian national
- You must have a strong academic record
- You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical or another course of studies
Most banks maintain that the selected course should be job oriented.
- You must have secured admission to foreign university institutions
- You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail the loan
Eligibility of course: You may not get a loan on every course. Here are the kinds of courses that qualify for the education loan.
- For Graduation: Job oriented professional or technical courses offered by reputed universities
- MCA, MBA, MS or even diplomas
These courses could be from foreign universities or institutes approved by the state and central government.
Loan amount: If your total fee is Rs 10 lakh, the bank may offer to give a loan of 80% of the amount and you will have to put in the balance 20%. This is called the margin amount. The maximum loan amount offered by banks for studies abroad is generally around Rs 20. If your tuition fees amount is Rs 30 lakh, you’ll have to manage the rest of the funds by yourself. Some banks charge a processing fee, while others don’t. it may be a fixed amount or a percentage of the total loan amount. So if the bank charges you 1% as processing fee, that will be an additional cost you’ll have to cover.
Documentation required: You will have to provide the acceptance letter sent by the University reflecting that you have been selected for the course and the schedule of fees. You will also need to show the mark sheet of the last qualifying examination to show your academic record. All banks have different requirement for documentation, so you need to confirm with the bank first.
Repayment: Repayment starts only after the course period. If the student got employed within one year after completion of the course, the repayment should start immediately after the expiry of one month from the date of employment.
If you do not secure a job within a year of completing the course, then repayment starts irrespective of whether or not you are employed. The loan is generally to be repaid in 5-7 years after commencement of repayment. If the student is not able to complete the course within the scheduled time, an extension of time for completion, of course, may be permitted for a maximum period of two years. Generally, you will get up to a maximum number of 10 years to repay the loan.
6. Visa
Conditions
You should have the following documents before applying:
- A completed student visa application form
- A letter of acceptance on the course – Your approved education provider will give you an acceptance letter and a visa letter which are official and unconditional offers of a place on a course of study. The visa letter must be issued no more than six months before you apply. The applications where the visa letters are older than six months will be refused. Having a visa letter does not guarantee the application will be successful. The applicant must meet all the requirements of the category and any other requirements of the immigration rules.
- Proof of funds – The money you need to show covers your course fees for your first year of study and living costs for up to a maximum of nine months. The amount you will need depends on whether you are applying as a child or adult and also whether you will be studying in or out of London. You must show that you have held the money for at least 28 days. The end of that 28 day period must not be more than one month before the date of your application.
You must show the following amount of money to meet basic living costs (not including fees) for a period of up to nine months: £800 per month if you are living in London; £600 per month if you are living outside London.
Process There are several steps to apply for a visa. UK student visa applications are processed within three weeks of the completed application being lodged.
Step 1 – Check if you qualify
You must be able to show that you have:
- A confirmed place at the school, university or college where you intend to study. It is called a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).
- Enough money (also known as maintenance or funds) to cover your course fees and living costs in the UK.
Step 2 – Get your documents ready
For every document you provide, you must include the original document and a photocopy.
- A signed copy of your completed visa application form
- A valid passport
- 1 passport sized color photograph which meets the photo guidelines
- Evidence of your confirmed place at the University
- Any previous passports to show your previous travel history
- If you send a document that is not in English, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be verified
Step 3 – Apply online
You will need to register and create an account on the official UK Visa website. When you have completed your online application form, you will need to print and sign your completed form. You must use the online appointment calendar to book an appointment at the visa application center. When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number.
Step 4 – Pay your application fee
There are 4 ways to pay your visa application fee.
- Payment at Standard Chartered Bank – You can pay your fee at some branches of the Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favor of the ‘The British High Commission’.
- Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank – You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a nationalized or a foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary. The demand draft must be in favor of the ‘The British High Commission’.
- Payment at the visa application center – You can pay the visa application fee at the visa application center when you submit your visa application.
- Pay online – You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.
Step 5 – Visit the visa application center on the appointed date
You must book and attend an appointment at our visa application center to submit your application and facial photograph and fingerprints.
Work permit
From April 6, 2012, Tier 1 (Post-study work) was closed to new applicants. So technically you don’t get Post Work Visa with Student Visa. But if you want to work there after your studies, then you need to apply for a Tier 2 visa which is meant for Highly Skilled Workers. So along with your student visa, you don’t get a work permit. You need to apply for a work visa separately. Your spouse may work in the UK if the grant of leave is for more than 12 months. If your visa was granted for a period of fewer than 12 months or you are participating in a course of study below degree level, your spouse will not be allowed to work in the UK.
Visa for spouse
Visa holder in the UK gets a Dependent Visa for the same duration as the primary applicant. This is applicable for Master’s degree application only. Undergraduates cannot take dependants with them to the UK.
If you have a Student visa, your dependants apply as ‘dependant of a Points Based System migrant’. Each dependant completes a separate application form and pays a separate fee.
Along with your own maintenance funds, you need to show an additional £600 for each dependant for each month that you are applying for up to a maximum of 9 months’ maintenance funds. You can use a scholarship to cover the maintenance funds for your dependants if you already have got a scholarship. The scholarship 600letter must state that funds are also intended for your dependants.
7. Checklist before departure
Pre-departure list
- Book airline tickets
- Buy travel insurance
- Arrange accommodation in the UK
- Arrange transportation to/from the airport to home in the UK
- Consider buying traveler’s cheques
- Check baggage and customs limitations
- Clear all paperwork with your home educational institution
Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and keep at home, including:
- Passport
- Airline tickets
- Travel insurance certificate
- Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution
- Key addresses and phone numbers
- A bank statement showing proof of funds
- Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
- Traveler’s cheques-if applicable
- Medical and immunization records
- Academic history and university transcripts
8. Once you land
You need to have some understanding of the British culture before moving there. Here are a few pointers which will help make your stay comfortable.
Punctuality: British are usually sticklers for punctuality, and it will be considered improper if you are late for an appointment, a tutorial or a social gathering. If you are going to be late it is advisable to let the person know beforehand and explain the situation.
Queues: Queuing is important in the UK, you will have to queue at shops, supermarkets, banks, and government offices. Jumping a queue is considered ill-mannered and can annoy those already standing in a queue.
Personal space: The space you leave between you and a person you are speaking to is very culture specific. In Britain, it is usual to leave one arm’s length between you and the person you are speaking to, as crossing that invisible boundary will be seen as an infringement of privacy.
Social Niceties: As an international student, you will be perplexed by the number of times the British say please, thank you and sorry. Taking that as a cue, you should add ‘please’ at the end of every request, ‘thank you’ each time someone does something for you.
Driving in the UK: Driving in the UK is on the left side of the road. It is necessary to obtain a UK license by arranging to take a driving test. If this is not done, you run the risk of being prosecuted for driving without a valid license. You must be insured before you can drive a car in the UK. To hire a car in the UK you must hold a full Driver’s Licence or an International Driving Licence and have been driving for twelve months or more.
Bank accounts: Having a UK bank account is important for international students. It can take up to 2 weeks to open a bank account. You can open a bank account only after you are in the UK and have registered on a full-time study. UK law requires banks to make detailed checks on customers to establish proof of identity, proof of address in the home country and proof of new address in the UK.
Travel: London Underground – You can pay a cash fare, use a pre-paid ‘Oyster card’ or buy a paper travelcard. Using an Oyster card, a single fare will cost you £5.
Buses – Most routes in Central London require that you buy tickets before you board. Ticket machines selling single fares and daily bus passes are located next to the main bus stops on these routes.
Post-Brexit
Many students are afraid that their tuition fees might increase after Brexit, however, till date there is no indication from the government regarding increasing the fee. Many UK universities have decided not to change the tuition fee for EU students currently pursuing their education. Moreover, the authorities have also confirmed that EU students enrolled for autumn 2018 and autumn 2019 are also eligible for same tuition fee and financial aid as domestic students for the duration of their course even if the UK leaves the EU in 2018.
6. Visa
Conditions
You should apply for the student visa after you get the college acceptance letter. You should begin with the visa process around June if aiming at the September intake. Following are the documents needed to apply.
1. Proof of acceptance: If you plan to attend any school (primary or secondary), college, university or other educational institution in Canada, the school must complete and send you a letter of acceptance. You must include the original letter with your study permit application.
2. Proof of financial support: You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who accompany you while you are in Canada.
Note:Additional documentation may be required.
During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status. These may include:
1. Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
2. Scores from tests, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
3. Your intent to depart from Canada upon completion of the course of study
4. How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs
There are several steps to apply for a visa.
Check the processing times: The visa application cycle might take anywhere from 3-4 weeks. It is advisable to go through the Canadian consulate website to know the approximate time taken to process the student visa. Please note that the time shown is not a guarantee and is just an estimate.
Determine how you will apply. There are two ways to apply:
1. Apply online To apply online you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading and have a valid credit card for payment. From 31st-December-2018 students from Asia, Asia Pacific and Americas will be required to provide a finger scan at the regional Visa Application Centre (VAC).
2. Apply in person Download the application kit and read the instruction guide. The instruction guide contains important information about study permits and instructions to help you complete your application. Read the guide carefully and use the document checklist.
Pay the processing fee: Refer to the fee schedule for the cost to apply for a study permit and how to pay. The processing fee is non-refundable in all cases. For biometrics, there will be more than 130 VACs in over 90 countries and all VACs will be equipped to collect biometric information (fingerprints and photograph). Indian students need to contact the local VFS office to apply for the visa.
If your spouse/common-law partner and/or children are accompanying you and you are applying for temporary resident visas, work permits or study permits for them, then you will need to pay the appropriate processing fees for them.
Submit your application and supporting documents – Since you need to give your biometrics, you can’t mail in your application. You’ll either have to apply online or submit your application in person at a VFS office. In either case, you will need to go to a VAC to give your biometrics.
Medical Exam
The visa application process to Canada requires a compulsory medical test for Indian applicants. Your own doctor cannot perform the medical exam. You must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians, which is provided on the official Canada immigration website http://www.cic.gc.ca/. Once your exam has been completed, the physician will send the results to CIC. You can choose to get the test done either before or after submitting the visa application.
Work permit
The eligibility criteria to get a Post Study Work Permit are as follows:
- You should have pursued a full-time course in Canada.
- The length of your course should have been more than 8 months.
- You must have graduated from either a public post-secondary institution or a private post-secondary institution or
- You should apply for a work permit within three months (90 days) after receiving an official letter saying that you have successfully completed your education from the Institute.
- You will be given the work permit only if you have a student visa.
- You cannot get a work permit longer than your course duration. If your course duration is eight months, then you will receive a work permit for eight months.
Visa for spouse
Spouses can accompany full-time students on a Dependent visa. You only need to show that adequate funds are available for their support. Spouses can also work full time if his/her stay is for a year or more.
7. Checklist before departure
Pre-departure list
- Book airline tickets
- Buy travel and health insurance
- YArrange accommodation in Canada
- Arrange transportation to/from the airport to home in Canada
- Arrange your banking – consider buying traveler’s cheques
- Check baggage and customs limitations
- Clear all paperwork with your home educational institution
Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and keep at home, including:
- Passport
- Airline tickets
- Travel insurance certificate
- Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution
- Key addresses and phone numbers
- A bank statement showing proof of funds
- Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
- Traveler’s cheques-if applicable
- Medical and immunization records
- Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
8. Once you land
Homesickness
Homesickness is a predictable problem faced by most students at one point or another. It may occur at the beginning or even well into your year. Homesickness will pass. Be patient. Give it at least two weeks. If you are feeling sad, talk about it and share your feelings with your friends. Do not hide in your room; if you do, the homesickness will only worsen. Find your counselor on staff with whom you can talk about homesickness or other problems.
Homesickness might be made worse by frequent, long telephone calls home. Most homesick students feel more homesick after a call home than they did before they picked up the phone. Try to limit yourself to one call home every week. The sooner you integrate into the university experience, the sooner your homesickness will pass.
Your first few weeks in Canada
The first weeks of the first semester are a busy time for every new international (and Canadian) student during which everyone is learning about the campus and classes while making new friends. You should take the time to get to know your University:
- Explore campus to familiarize yourself with where you need to go when registering for your program, attending classes, getting your meals and visiting new friends.
- Join the International Student Club.
- Find out what learning resources and workshops are available for international students.
- Get your student identification card: it will be your passport around the campus. (if applicable)
- Take advantage of the student services on offer: use the fitness facilities at the recreation center, find the student bookstore and browse in the library.
Learn basic cooking
Cooking for yourself will save you money. Indian food is expensive in Canada. Making it on your own will satisfy your urge to eat ‘your food’ during moments of ‘homesickness’. Indian spices are not commonly available in smaller cities, but you may find shops on campus where you can get ingredients used in most Indian cuisine.
9. Post study options
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)
The PGWPP allows post-graduate students who have studied at a participating Canadian university/college to gain Canadian work experience. Work experience gained through the PGWPP will ultimately help students qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Duration – A post-graduation work permit can’t be valid for longer than the student’s course of study. For example, if your post-graduate course was of two years’ duration, then the work permit granted to you will also be for two years.
The study program must be a minimum of eight months in length.
Applying for Post-Graduation Work Permit
- You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from your university/college indicating that you have completed and passed your academic program.
- Get the application package, and fill the forms you need to fill.
- You must pay the Open Work Permit Holder fee and the Standard Work Permit fee in Canadian currency, either online or manually.
- The application kit will contain the mailing address where you need to send your application.
Placements
Indian students are used to the concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment for getting jobs. There is no concept of placements Canada. Most Canadian universities have a cell called a Career Services Center, which helps you get jobs and helps you prepare for interviews. The on-campus recruitment is always driven by student interest. Companies that recruit through the University do not offer a job directly. What they offer is an internship or co-op. Companies like to see your work for a few months before they hire you full time.
Co-Op Education Program
In a Cooperative program, a period of study alternates with work. The Student Co-op program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. Indian students who wish to participate in a co-op or internship program must apply for a work permit as well as a study permit.
Eligibility criteria: To be eligible for a work permit, you must meet the following conditions:
- You must have a valid study visa
- Your intended employment must be related to your program of study in Canada
- Your employment must be part of your academic program, certified by a letter from a responsible academic official of the institution.