This definition is for immigration purposes to denote students who are not required to be enrolled during program breaks. Students are considered to be ‘actively pursuing studies’ while on a scheduled break.
Dates are based on the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan Calendar
Scheduled breaks include:
Break
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Start Date
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End Date
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Term 1 Midterm Break
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First day of Midterm Break
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Last day of Midterm Break
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Winter Break
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Day after posted final exam period for Winter Term 1
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Day before the start of classes for Winter Term 2
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Term 2 Midterm Break
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First day of Midterm Break
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Last day of Midterm Break
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Break between Winter Term 2 and Summer
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Day after posted final exam period for Winter Term 2
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Day before the start of classes for Summer Term 1
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Summer Session (not available for students in graduate programs or the Diploma in Accounting Program [DAP])
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Start of classes for Summer Term 1
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Last day of posted final exam period for Summer Term 2
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Break between Summer Session and Winter Term 1
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Day after posted final exam period for Summer Term 2
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Day before the start of classes for Winter Term 1
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Exception to the Scheduled Break
If your academic program has start and end dates which differ from those specified in the applicable academic calendar, the program dates will apply.
Students in graduate programs or the Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) in summer are deemed to be on an academic summer session, not a scheduled break.
Working during a scheduled break
You might be eligible to work full-time on or off campus during a scheduled break. Work refers to work which is authorized by a study permit. Students who also hold work permits may be able to work supplemental days/hours in addition to work authorized by study permits.
Registered, eligible, or continuing students in UBC degree, diploma, certificate, and Juris Doctor programs are considered to be eligible to work while on a scheduled break if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are eligible to work on and/or off campus
- You were full-time for immigration purposes in the term immediately before the break.
- Your degree has not been conferred.
- You will resume full-time studies in the term immediately following the break.
If you meet the above requirements
You are permitted to work full-time on or off campus during a scheduled break for a total of 180 days per calendar year, but not more than 150 consecutive days.
If you do not meet the above requirements
You are not eligible to work during a scheduled break. For further clarification, exchange, VIRS, visiting students, and unclassified students are not eligible to work during scheduled breaks.
Undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and Juris Doctor students on a scheduled summer break who do not meet the above requirements may only work up to 20 hours a week and unlimited hours on campus during the Summer Session only if enrolled in a full-time course load in the Summer Session. If you are enrolled in a part-time course load in summer, you are not eligible to work on or off campus.
For the 2023 Summer Session, if you think you are eligible for the temporary policy on off-campus work hours, please seek advice from an International Student Advisor before you start to work.