Co-op formally integrates academic studies with quality experiences within a workplace setting. Co-op experiences include a partnership of: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. Co-op includes the development of student learning related to: employability, agency, knowledge and skill mobility, and life-long learning.

Co-op consists of alternating academic terms and paid work terms. Co-op internship consists of several co-op work terms back-to-back. In both, work terms provide experience in a workplace setting related to the student’s field of study. The time spent in work terms must be at least 30% of the time spent in academic study.

Co-op students are supported in learning skills in professional practice, writing, job applications, interviews, networking, and more.  

Co-op students gain access to an exclusive co-op job board where you can apply to do paid, professional work in their field as part of your degree. 

Participating in co-op will allow you to gain confidence, skills and experience in your field.

Co-op will help you with your transition into the working world after graduation. 

If your goal is to continue on to graduate or professional studies, co-op will help you gain experiences that students without co-op often lack. Many science co-op jobs are research based, which can help you get into graduate school. 

Undergraduate students are encouraged to join the co-op program after they finish their first year of science coursework. Graduate students are encouraged to apply as soon as they enter their academic program.

The program is very flexible and it’s never to late to join as long as you have time to complete SCIE 201/501.

Students need to: 

• Be declared, or have the intention to declare as a Major or Honours student in the science discipline of their choice. 
• Have completed at least one year of science coursework at UVic or have one year equivalent of science transfer credit from another institution. 
• Graduate students need the permission of their project or thesis supervisor.

In order to participate you will need to register in SCIE 201. You can find information about the procedures on our how to join page.

Yes. You are encouraged to join early in your degree so that you can fit in multiple co-op work terms. But if you choose to delay your search for work, that is OK. 

The program is very flexible and it’s never to late to join as long as you have time to complete SCIE 201/501.

International students are able and encouraged to participate in all co-op programs. The co-op program can support you in getting your co-op work permit. 

The Biology, Climate Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Data Science, Mathematics and Statistics programs are open to graduate students (both MSc and PhD).

Graduate students are encouraged to apply as soon as they enter their academic program. All graduate students are eligible to participate if they obtain permission from their thesis/project supervisor. 

No. All science co-op programs have one registration cycle during the year. Students join the program by registering for Introduction to Professional Practice along with the rest of your courses. The deadline to join is the last date to add classes in the fall term.

Students who join by the deadline and are registered into the co-op program, may be able to start work as early as January.

International students seeking to join co-op should plan to register in SCIE 201/501 at least two terms before they plan to begin work, to have enough time to apply for, and receive their co-op work permit. 

The only difference between the two programs is how many work terms you complete before you graduate. You do not need to commit to a set number of work terms at any point.

When you apply for graduation, we will review the number of work terms you have accumulated.

If you have completed 4 or more work terms alternating with academic terms, or 12 months of consecutive work, you will graduate with co-op distinction.

If you complete less than 4 work terms (or 12 consecutive months of work),  you will receive credit for work–experience on your transcript. 

Co-op and Work Experience students have access to the same job board. 

Students who complete 12 months of consecutive work (3 co-op work terms back-to-back) will graduate with co-op distinction. 

The amount of experience a student gets from working with several employers in alternating work and academic terms is different than working with the same employer for a very year. This internship may work for you depending on your learning and career goals.

To be eligible, students need to: 

• Be declared, or have the intention to declare as a Major or Honours student in the science discipline of their choice. 
• Have completed at least one year of science coursework at UVic or have one year equivalent of science transfer credit from another institution. 
• Be in good academic standing at UVic (not on academic probation).
• Graduate students need permission from their supervisor.

The Biology, Climate Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Data Science, Mathematics and Statistics programs are open to graduate students (both MSc and PhD).

Graduate students are encouraged to apply as soon as they enter their academic program. All graduate students are eligible to participate if they obtain permission from their thesis/project supervisor. 

International students are able and encouraged to participate in all co-op programs. The co-op program can support you in getting your co-op work permit. 

Transfer students are eligible to join co-op, using the same criteria as UVic students. To be admitted, you will need one year of science coursework from your previous institution. 

If you have transferred to UVic from another institution, the co-op office can view your transcript – Just indicate that you are a transfer student on your enrolment form. If we require any additional information from you, we will reach out.

You can join co-op in your final year of studies by registering for SCIE 201/501 in your final academic terms, and then complete work terms after your academics are finished. This is called a Post Study Internship.

However: 

• One of the goals of Co-op is to combine your education with hands on work. This works best when students alternate between work and school terms. 
• Alternating work and school allows you to plan for coursework that complements your workplace learning. If you wait until your academics are complete, the aspect of workplace experience informing your coursework planning cannot be done. 
• Work terms are never guaranteed, since finding a job is a competition. Starting your search earlier guarantees that you have more chances at securing a position, and will also ensure that you become more competitive and experienced as time passes due to the added value of co-op work terms experience.

This depends on timing. Please make sure to contact the co-op office. If you are registered in SCIE 201/501, a Post Study Internship may be an option for you.

This depends on timing and other considerations. If this is the case for you, please make sure to contact your coordinator.

This depends on timing and other considerations. If this is the case for you, please make sure to contact your coordinator. Please make sure to discuss this with your Coordinator ahead of time.

Registrations in SCIE 201/501 will be processed on an ongoing basis. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be admitted to the co-op program.

Once you register in SCIE 201/501, you will be added to a BrightSpace course, and you will begin your co-op education through this course.

If we are unable to approve your enrolment, we will let you know why, outline steps for you to meet the requirements in the next round, and invite you to try again next year. There is no penalty for registering and not being approved – You are always encouraged to try again!

Co-op positions are paid. Average rates of pay can be found here

The Co-op program fees for undergraduate students can be found in the UVic Undergraduate calendar, under the “Fees for undergraduate programs” section.

For all Science Co-op programs, fees are charged only if and when you secure a work term, once for every semester you spend working in a co-op job. 

More information about tuition and fees can be found here

The Co-op program fees for Graduate students can be found in the UVic Graduate Calendar, under the “Regulations concerning tuition fees for graduate programs” section.

For all Science Co-op programs, fees are charged only if and when you secure a work term, once for every semester you spend working in a co-op job. 

Please note that, as per The UVic Graduate Calendar, General Co-op Regulations, ”4. …Co-op students must either be registered in a work term or an academic term and are subject to regulations as outlined in Continuity of Registration.” If you are registered in a co-op work term, you will not have to pay the graduate registration fee (596, 598, 599, or 699) unless taking coursework or defending your thesis concurrently with your co-op project. More information about tuition and fees can be found here

You will only need to pay the fee if and when you secure a co-op work term, once for every semester you spend working in a co-op job.

A co-op work term is any type of work that is paid, in your field, and full-time (at least 12 weeks of full time throughout duration of the semester). 
 
The fees will be assessed once you begin your work term, and will usually be due at the end of the first month of your work. Normally, you will start earning wages before your fees are due.   
 
You will pay co-op fees the same way you pay regular tuition fees. 

The co-op office works hard to provide value for your co-op fees. While you pay these “on-delivery” (when you secure a work term), these fees go towards the support of our programs in items such as: 

• Developing our instructional materials, including SCIE 201 and all other materials across Co-op and Career Services that you will have access to. 
• Working with employers to bring jobs to the co-op job board. 
• Ongoing support of all students before, during and after their co-op work term.
• Individualized, one on one support as necessary in items like improving your resumes, helping you submit applications, coaching you for interviews, etc. 
• Bringing employers to campus for info sessions, events and career fairs.

Normally, the amount of funding that co-op employers have for student salaries is fixed. Position wages are often tied to the co-op student’s experience.

In some cases, your coordinator may be able to assist and advocate on your behalf. If you are concerned about wages for a particular position, discuss this with your coordinaor. 

Yes, the timeline is completely up to you, and depends on your goals and needs. You can build a tentative timeline with your coordinator and adjust it over time.

You need to join the co-op program, be admitted, and complete core components of the co-op education (SCIE 201/501) before you get access to the co-op job board. You can see some examples of positions that students have held in the past on the co-op program page of your choice.

Employers usually indicate in their job postings how long they are looking to hire for. Many jobs ask for students to work for one work term (equivalent to the length of 1 term, or approximately 4 months. Sometimes, employers also post for 2 combined terms (8-months Co-ops) or give the student a choice.  

Sometimes, a student who completes a work term with an employer may receive an offer to extend their work term. It is up to the student whether they chose to accept such extension offers.

Yes. Doing two or more work terms together “back to back” is common.

Yes. You may complete as many work terms as you like as part of your degree program, as long as co-op terms take up less that 50% of the time you have spent at UVic.

The co-op program operates on a 3-term schedule that aligns with the Academic Calendar. Students can work during the Summer Session (May – August), Winter Session, first term (September – December) and/or Winter Session, second term (January – April).  

The duration of student’s placement with employers ranges between 3 and 4 months, but all Co-op work is full time work for the duration of the student’s engagement with the employer. 

6ost students begin their work the summer after they join the co-op program. For example, if you join the co-op program in September 2025, you will start your first work term in May 2025.

With permission from their program, students can apply for jobs that start as in January, following the term in which they join co-op. For example, if you join co-op in September 2024, you may be able to start working as early as January 2025. 

No. The Science co-op programs at UVic are optional – Students can complete any number of work terms that suits their needs and abilities. 

You will need to have completed 4 or more work terms or 12 months of consecutive work by the time you graduate to graduate with co-op distinction. If you complete less than 4 work terms (or 12 consecutive months of work), you will receive credit for work-experience on your transcript. 

Many students complete fewer than 4 work terms, and some complete more than 4.
 
The number of work terms that students complete depends on many factors, including the time when the student joins, personal plans and circumstances.  

All students who are admitted into the co-op program must complete course work before they are able to begin their co-op job search. The classes are part of a course called SCIE 201/501 – Introduction to Professional Practice. 

You must complete core components of this course before you are able to begin your co-op job search, and must finish the remainder of the course in order to pass it.

SCIE 201/501 is an 8-month course offered in Winter Session.

Winter Session course registration opens approximately mid-June, If you are joining co-op, register for the section that best fits your schedule.

The course is graded based on completion. In order to receive a COM grade, you will need to attend classes and submit assignments.

Yes. Even if you intend to do a co-op work term during the upcoming spring term, you should sign up. You will still have to complete assignments for the course, but may do so on a modified schedule, which will take your co-op work term into consideration.

Attendance is mandatory during the fall, but optional while you are on your co-op work term. 

The goal of the course is to give you baseline tools and skills to help you in your co-op (and later, full-time) job search.

You will learn about the hiring process, passive and active search options, resume and cover letter writing, professionalism and ethics, interview skills, networking skills and how to be successful on your work-term.

No. At the moment, SCIE 201/501 is only offered to students in the science co-op programs. Please only register if you are applying to participate in the science co-op program.

SCIE 201/501 is a 0– credit tutorial, and as such, has no associated fees.

No, once you complete SCIE 201/501, you will be free to search for jobs within co-op at any point in your degree when you decide to do that. You only need to successfully complete SCIE 201/501 once.

Once you register in SCIE 201/501, you will be added to a BrightSpace course, and you will begin your co-op education through this course.

International students are able and encouraged to participate in all co-op programs. The co-op program can support you in getting your co-op work permit. 

International Centre for Students (ICS) has advisors who are certified to respond to your questions and assist with all International / Immigration related items. You can refer all questions to them at issinfo@uvic.ca . ISS also holds virtual drop-in hours that you can use to get help. 

All international (visa) students are required to apply for and be approved for a co-op work permit before they begin work. The co-op office will provide you the necessary documents to apply for the co-op work permit as soon as you are admitted into the program.

The Biology, Climate Science, Data Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics programs are open to graduate students (both MSc and PhD).

Graduate students are encouraged to apply as soon as they enter their academic program. All graduate students are eligible to participate if they obtain permission from their thesis/project supervisor. 

Graduate students can apply to participate as soon as they are admitted into their academic program. We encourage students to apply as early as possible in their degree to get the most out of the program.

All graduate students are eligible to participate if they obtain permission from their thesis/project supervisor. Students also need their supervisor’s permission for every semester in which they would like to search for work.

Yes. In some cases, work you have done in the past may be recognized for co-op credit. The formal name of the process to do so is work-term by challenge.  Learn more here.

This is the formal name of the process allowing students to receive co-op credit for work done before they enter the co-op program. If you’d like to receive credit for past work, please talk to your co-op coordinator.

Yes. If you have co-op credit from either another co-op program at UVic, or another accredited co-op institution, we will usually recognize it for credit. Please discuss this with your co-op coordinator.