What is on-campus work?
For uOttawa students, on-campus work refers to employment within the boundaries of the uOttawa campus.
Your on-campus employer can be:
- The University of Ottawa
- A uOttawa professor
- A uOttawa student organization
- A private business located within the boundaries of the uOttawa campus
- Yourself, if you’re self-employed and run a business physically located on campus
According to current guidelines, work performed in a location that’s affiliated with the University but physically outside the main campus (for example, a University of Ottawa teaching hospital or research institute) counts as on‑campus employment if you’re working as a teaching assistant or research assistant and if your work is directly connected to your academic research.
If you take on another kind of position in these same institutions (such as an administrative role in the hospital or a service‑related position), this is considered off‑campus work. The hours you spend working in this type of position are included within the 24 hour per week limit for off‑campus employment.
Who’s eligible to work on campus?
You’re eligible to work on campus if you meet the following requirements:
- You have a valid study permit or have applied to extend your study permit and have “maintained” status
- Your study permit includes permission to work on campus.
- You’re enrolled full time for the academic term or:
- Are eligible to work during a scheduled break.
- Are in the last term of your program of study (if so, you’re allowed to work on campus even if enrolled part time).
- You have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
You must stop working immediately if you no longer meet the above requirements.
Learn how changes to your studies affect your right to work
How many hours per week can I work on campus?
There’s no limit to the number of hours you can work on campus during term time.
There’s no limit to the number of hours you can work on campus during scheduled breaks if you’re enrolled full time during the terms immediately before and after the scheduled break.
For instance, if you were enrolled full time during the winter term before a scheduled summer break and will be enrolled full time during the fall term after the scheduled summer break, you can work unlimited hours on campus during the summer break.
If you’re not going to be enrolled full time during the terms immediately before and after a scheduled break, you won’t be eligible to work during the scheduled break.
Examples of scheduled breaks at uOttawa include summer break, winter break and reading weeks. For more, see the important dates and deadlines.
However, scheduled breaks can vary by program. Always check the course sequence for your program to confirm which scheduled breaks apply to you.
Please note:
- The spring–summer term is considered a scheduled break for most undergraduate students at uOttawa. Graduate students, however, must remain enrolled for every term until they complete their program, unless a specific program’s regulations state otherwise. Learn more about graduate enrolment and leaves of absence.
- You can’t work in Canada before your studies begin. You must wait for the first day of the term you’re enrolled for to be able to start working.
- If work is a mandatory component of your program of study, you will be able to complete your work placement using your valid study permit, provided it includes conditions allowing you to work on campus.
