Apart from university, living can be challenging in Victoria. However, with proper preparation, it is very manageable. Below we have a basic estimate of what is an average cost of living.
Item |
Monthly Expenditure |
| Off-Campus Housing |
$600-$900 |
| On-Campus Housing including meal plan per semester (mandatory) |
$850-$1200 |
| On-Campus Cluster Housing per semester (no meal plan) |
$886 |
| Groceries (food supplies and home maintenance) |
$300- $500 |
| Telephone Mobile phones plans are available with many service providers. |
$50-$100 |
| Electricity, Heat and Water (sometimes included in the rent) |
$65 |
| Entertainment |
$60-$100 |
| Miscellaneous (stationery, books, laundry, etc.) |
$200 |
Working in Canada
Permits:
International students are allowed to work on campus and off campus. In order to work on campus, students have to apply for the Work Study Program, which is your ticket to work on campus. International students do not require work permits to work on campus.For the application form and the eligibility criteria click here.
Good news for all International Students. Recently, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has passed a bill stating that International students can work off-campus up to 20 hours per week upon their arrival. In order to work off-campus students must maintain a full-time student status in a College or University.For more information on obtaining the off-campus work permit and application form click here.
Note: In order to work anywhere in Canada, students must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). For information on obtaining your SIN card click here.
Hours and Wages:
International Students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. The minimum wage is $11.35 per hour. Almost all on-campus jobs pay $12 per hour and off-campus work will get you anywhere between $11.35-$15.00 per hour.
UMANG: UVic Indian Students' Association 