Co-op work permit "Required part of program"

[alexct2020]

So I have a little bit of a problem, with my university degree there is a 4th year co-op placement course option, you don't get paid but you will get equivalent course credits which you have to pay for. Apart from this my university offers a separate paid internship program which they say is open to International Students.

My university is like 30% international so I trust that they know what they are talking about.

I looked into getting a co-op work permit for this (because 20 hours a week seems very low considering most internships require you to put in a lot of effort) but the government website says to get it, the co-op has to be "required to complete the degree".

Since both the placement course and paid internship are in my case, optional to finish the degree, would I even be able to get a co-op permit for that or does choosing to do either the placement course or paid internship program, make it a required part to get my degree?

Also can I keep my part-time 15 hour a week job when doing a co-op?

Thanks and sorry for the maybe confusing wording.

 

[RamSatt]

Possibly not. You seemed to have assessed it accurately. If you can intern 20 hours a week (which you are legally allowed to do, under your study permit conditions), then you don't need a coop work permit. Your university needs to provide a letter mentioning that the coop is a necessary part of your program, without that you cannot justify the application. . Sorry man.