Toronto is home to three major universities and several colleges, and the part-time job market for students is correspondingly large. The best student-friendly roles offer transit-accessible locations, term-time scheduling, and flexibility during exams. This list covers both on-campus options and off-campus employers known for accommodating student schedules.
Part-time employers currently hiring students in Toronto
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages. Verify openings before applying.
University of Toronto, Work-Study Program
Research Assistant, Library Staff, Admin Support · Toronto, ON · Part-time, 10–15 hrs/week during term
U of T's Work-Study program places eligible students in on-campus paid roles in departments, libraries, and research labs. Positions are reserved for enrolled students with demonstrated financial need. Hours are capped at 15/week during the academic year. Pay typically starts at $17.60/hr. Applications open each term through the career portal.
View openings at jobs.utoronto.ca →Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Campus Ambassador, Research Support, Student Services · Toronto, ON · Part-time
TMU (formerly Ryerson) posts on-campus part-time roles for enrolled students through its HR careers portal and the Student Learning Support hub. Roles range from peer tutoring to administrative support in academic departments. TMU's downtown location on Yonge-Dundas makes it accessible via TTC from across the city.
View openings at torontomu.ca →York University
Student Services, Lab Support, Events · Toronto (North York), ON · Part-time
York University posts student part-time roles through its myHR portal. Keele campus positions are convenient for students commuting via the TTC's Finch West station (York-Spadina subway extension). Glendon campus in North York also has postings, particularly in bilingual administrative support.
View openings at myhr.apps.yorku.ca →Toronto Public Library
Library Page, Community Librarian Support · Toronto, ON · Part-time, evenings & weekends
The Toronto Public Library system employs library pages (shelving, circulation desk support) at branches across the city. Pages typically work ten to fifteen hours per week including evenings and Saturdays. The TPL is a unionized employer with starting pay above Ontario minimum wage. Transit-accessible branch locations make it practical from most parts of the city.
View City of Toronto jobs (includes TPL) →Cineplex, Toronto Area Theatres
Guest Services, Concession · Multiple Toronto locations · Part-time, evenings & weekends
Cineplex theatres at Scotiabank, SilverCity Fairview, and other Toronto locations hire student staff throughout the year. Shifts are concentrated in evenings and weekends, making it compatible with daytime class schedules. Free movie passes are a standard perk. Pay starts at Ontario minimum wage ($17.60/hr).
View openings at cineplex.com →IMAX, Cinesphere & Toronto Locations
Guest Experience Staff · Toronto, ON · Part-time, seasonal and year-round
IMAX operates several Toronto-area locations and hires part-time guest experience staff. Similar to Cineplex, evening and weekend shifts predominate. Applications go through the parent company's careers site. Starting pay is comparable to other cinema employers.
View IMAX openings on Indeed →Tutoring Agencies, Toronto
Academic Tutor · Toronto, ON · Flexible, 5–15 hrs/week, often evenings and weekends
Tutoring agencies including Oxford Learning, Kumon, and smaller local agencies hire current students to tutor K–12 subjects. Pay typically ranges from $18 to $25/hr depending on subject and level. Strong academic results in the subject area and patience are the main requirements. Hours are highly flexible and often scheduled around the tutor's own timetable.
View tutor openings on Indeed →Independent Cafes, Campus Neighbourhoods
Barista, Cashier · Annex, Kensington, St. George, ON · Part-time, flexible
Independent coffee shops in campus-adjacent neighbourhoods (the Annex near U of T, Kensington Market, and the areas around TMU) are consistently student-friendly employers. Walk-in applications with a printed resume during off-peak hours (2pm to 4pm on weekdays) are often the fastest way to land a role at an independent. Pay starts at $17.60/hr with tips adding $2 to $4/hr at busy locations.
View cafe openings on Indeed →Finding employers that work around your class schedule
The most important thing to communicate in any student job interview is your exact class schedule and exam periods. Employers who regularly hire students know how to schedule around a timetable, but only if they have the information upfront. Bring a printed copy of your schedule to the interview and offer it proactively.
On-campus roles (work-study, departmental) are the most schedule-flexible because supervisors are embedded in the academic calendar and expect exam-period adjustments. Off-campus employers vary widely. Evening and weekend roles at cinemas and retail are the most compatible with daytime class schedules. For a broader look at part-time work strategies in Toronto, see our guide on how to find part-time jobs in Toronto.
What to put on your resume as a student
Student resumes do not need work experience to be competitive for the roles above. Employers hiring students expect a thin work history. What they do want to see: your current program and institution, any volunteer work or extracurricular involvement (especially in roles involving responsibility over others), and any certifications like First Aid, Smart Serve, or Food Handler.
Lead with your strongest qualification for the specific role. Applying to a tutoring agency? Lead with your grades and academic awards. Applying to a café? Lead with any customer service experience, even informal. For a full walkthrough on building a student resume from scratch, see our guide on how to write a resume with no experience.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best on-campus jobs for students in Toronto?
U of T's Work-Study program, TMU departmental roles, and York University student services positions are the primary on-campus options. These are typically the most schedule-flexible because supervisors understand the academic calendar. Application deadlines for each term open through the respective university's career portal.
How many hours per week should a full-time student work?
Most student advisors recommend no more than 15 to 20 hours per week during full course loads. Many employers cap student hours at this range voluntarily. Work-study programs at U of T cap at 15 hours per week by policy. Exceeding 20 hours consistently tends to impact academic performance.
Do I need a SIN card to work part-time as a student in Toronto?
Yes. All paid employment in Canada requires a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). Canadian citizens and permanent residents apply at Service Canada. International students on study permits may be eligible to work off-campus, check your permit conditions carefully. Unauthorized work has serious immigration consequences.
Can I get a part-time job near U of T or TMU campus?
Yes. The Annex, Kensington Market, and the areas around both downtown campuses have high concentrations of cafes, restaurants, and retail businesses that hire students. Independent cafes in particular are campus-adjacent and often prefer hiring students for their reliability and flexibility in off-peak hours.
Is tutoring a good part-time job for students in Toronto?
Yes, particularly for students with strong academic records in math, science, or a second language. Pay is above average ($18 to $25/hr), hours are highly flexible, and the work can be done close to or on campus. The main challenge is building a client base, starting through an agency (Oxford Learning, Kumon) is the fastest route.