Frequently Asked Questions

Vancouver » Frequently Asked Questions

You will find Frequently Asked Questions below that pertain specifically to Northeastern University’s Vancouver campus. We also highly encourage you to visit the University’s website on how we are maintaining a safe campus.

General
Co-op and Experiential Learning
International

General

If I complete a Northeastern program at the Vancouver campus, where will my degree/diploma come from?

  • You will receive a degree/diploma from Northeastern University. That is true whether you study at the Vancouver campus or any of Northeastern’s other locations in the U.S. and Canada.

What is the relationship between the Vancouver campus, Northeastern’s other locations, and the university’s various colleges (e.g., Khoury College of Computer Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Professional Studies, etc.)?

  • The Vancouver campus is one location in Northeastern’s network of 13 campuses across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., all of which provide education through academic programs and curricula developed with the university’s nine colleges and schools.Learners in Vancouver can expect the same high-quality education as our flagship Boston campus with unique benefits available only in Canada. Students can expect smaller class sizes, expert faculty, and close partnerships with local tech companies that enrich their learning experience.

How big are classes, and how much instruction is online?

  • To deliver an exceptional learning experience, classes are typically limited to 20 to 30 people, depending on the course. It is our intention to offer courses either on-site or online.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in STEM to apply to Vancouver’s graduate programs?

  • No, an undergraduate degree in STEM is not required, but to be accepted you’ll need a certain level of education or subject-area knowledge, which may be acquired through academic coursework, professional experience, or a combination thereof. Please review the specific application requirements for the program that interests you.

Who can I connect with for enrollment, program and admission related questions at Northeastern in Vancouver?

Co-op and Experiential Learning

What is Co-operative education?

  • Co-operative education is an educational program in which students alternate periods of academic study with periods of employment in positions related to their academic, career, or personal interests. The combination of academic study and work produces an overall learning experience that gives greater meaning to studies and more direction to career development.Co-op coordinators and courses help students prepare for co-op success and identify opportunities that match goals and interests. The University will do everything it can to help students find the best opportunities, but it is up to students to ensure their success. That means preparing for interviews, performing well on the job, and drawing on their workplace and classroom learning to sharpen professional and academic goals.

How does the Experiential Network, also known as XN, work? How does it differ from co-op?

  • Experiential Network [XN] projects are a popular and effective way for students to gain resumé-building experience and expand their professional networks. XN projects are challenging virtual projects that you can complete in about six weeks under the direction of a company mentor. This work is unpaid because it represents an extension of academic coursework.A co-op or internship on the other hand is a paid work placement, typically between 4-8 months. It is an educational program in which students alternate periods of academic study in the classroom with periods of full-time co-op employment in positions related to their academic and/or career interests. This combination provides an integrated learning experience that enhances both the academic experience and career development.

    If you are an organization and wish to partner with Northeastern on XN/co-ops, leave us your contact information and a member of our team will reach out to you. You can also email [email protected] if you prefer.
    Here are some details about hiring a Northeastern graduate student in Vancouver for a co-op placement.

Where are Northeastern students in Vancouver currently doing their co-ops placements?

  • Vancouver students are employed in co-op positions at companies including SAP, Providence Health, RBC, Clio, NexTech AR, Think Tech, and more. Here are just some of the positions held by recent co-op students: Machine Learning Engineer Intern, Technical Architect, AI Data Analyst and Software Developer.

How much are students paid on co-op?

  • Compensation is set by the employer and depends on the industry, the level of the position, and the local economy. The rate students typically get paid depends on experience and level of education. Students do not pay tuition while they are on co-op. Northeastern also often provides a recommended pay range based on student experience.

Are students required to participate in co-op?

  • Co-op is the cornerstone of a Northeastern education, and the majority of students participate in co-op (for the class of 2016, 96% of graduates participated in at least one co-op, 78% participated in two or more co-ops), but it is not required for graduation.

International

Application

Do I need to take the GRE exam?

  • The GRE requirements vary by college. Please refer to the applicable college’s admission requirements to learn more:

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

College of Engineering

College of Professional Studies

College of Arts, Media and Design

Is it possible to waive the language requirement?

  • Yes, for Master’s programs offered though the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, an exception can be made to the language requirement if the student has received a Bachelor’s degree or PhD in an English-speaking country. We do not accept master’s degrees for language waivers. (An exception may also be made if you are a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen.)

What is Northeastern’s tuition rate in Vancouver for international students?

Acceptance

Study Permit
What is a study permit? How can I apply for a Canadian study permit?

How quickly after being admitted to Northeastern should I apply for the study permit?

  • Apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance/proof of acceptance letter (POA). The times needed to process your application may vary among visa offices. Check IRCC’s application processing times for details.

I have recently been admitted to Northeastern as an international student. What documentation do I need from the university in order to apply for a study permit?

How do I apply for a study permit extension?

Paying Your Deposit
How soon after admittance can I pay my deposit prior to my POA request?

  • You will be provided a link to pay your deposit once you are admitted to Northeastern. If you do not receive a payment link within 10 days, please contact Northeastern University Student Financial Services for assistance.
  • Payment can only be made through the invoice portal. If you have older wire transfer instructions, please do not use them. We no longer accept wire transfer payments except through the invoice portal.
  • We encourage you to pay your deposit as soon as possible to avoid any processing delays.

Co-op Work Permit
How do I apply for a co-op work permit?

How do I receive my co-op permit?

  • If you applied for the co-op work permit along with your initial study permit, you will receive the permit document when you enter Canada from the IRCC or CBSA offices.
  • If you will apply for the co-op work permit after you arrive in Canada and start the program, it will be mailed to the Canadian address that you provide in the application form.

Insurance
Where do I purchase health insurance?

  • You will need to purchase your insurance prior to arriving. Northeastern University Vancouver students are required to purchase GuardMe health insurance for their first 90 days in BC. Once you arrive in BC, you are required to apply for the provincial health insurance Medical Services Plan (MSP), which has a wait period of about 90 days. In this case, you will have GuardMe to cover your healthcare needs until you receive your MSP/BC Services Card. You can check the OGS website here for more detailed information about health insurance for NU Vancouver students.

What is the process to apply for insurance coverage for my dependents?

How do I make an insurance claim?

BC MSP program

  • The British Columbia (BC) Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a publicly administered health insurance program established by the BC government. Enrolment in MSP is mandatory for individuals residing in BC for a duration exceeding six months. You can find more information here.

Housing
Does Northeastern provide housing in Canada?

Pre-Departure

Travel
What do I need to know prior to departing for Canada?

  • Before joining us on campus, you will need to ensure you have prepared a few things which you can find in the Traveling to Canada webpage on the OGS Canada website.

How do I invite my spouse, common law partner or dependent children to come to Canada?

  • Review all the requirements here to allow your spouse, common law partner or dependent children to come with you or visit you in Canada.

Post Arrival/Post Graduation

Life in Vancouver
I am new to the city, are there any recommendations of places I can explore in Vancouver?

PGWP
What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)? Does my time at Northeastern in Vancouver count towards a PGWP?

  • The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows foreign students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
  • Yes, Northeastern is a PGWP eligible institution in Canada, as seen on the DLI list from the Canadian government. Please find the most up-to-date information on the Canadian government’s PGWP website. For eligibility requirements, you can also visit the PGWP details on the OGS Canada website.

Are all programs at Northeastern University Vancouver PGWP eligible?

  • Yes, all the programs at Northeastern University Vancouver are eligible for PGWP.

Will I be able to obtain 3 years of PGWP?

Do I need previous work experience?

  • No, work experience is not a mandatory requirement.

How do I apply for PGWP?

  • To apply for PGWP, directly go to the IRCC website where you will find eligibility details, exceptions, passport expiry and special cases.

Additional Help

If I have additional questions, who should I contact?