Graduate
co-op

Co-operative education, or co-op, is a learning strategy that lets you alternate your academic studies with paid, relevant work experience in your field of study. Depending on your program area, you’ll complete two (master’s) or three (doctoral) 4-month work terms over the course of your graduate degree, usually alternating work terms with study terms. 

Co-op programs may increase the length of your graduate degree by up to 12 months, but you'll use this time to gain work experience that will put you ahead. Co-op graduates traditionally find permanent employment faster and receive a higher salary than non-co-op graduates.

Co-op is available to graduate students in most program areas. Your admission will be determined after consultation with your graduate adviser and department. Contact the co-op program in your degree area to see if graduate co-op is right for you.

Graduate Work
Experience Program

Interested in co-op but don’t want to extend your degree? You can participate in the Graduate Work Experience Program (WEP) and complete just one work term. This flexible option gives you the same benefits and support as a co-op student.

The WEP is available to graduate students in most program areas. Your admission will be determined after consultation with your graduate adviser and department.

Contact the co-op program in your degree area to see if this option is right for you.

Co-op and
graduate research

Students often arrange co-op work terms that are related to their final projects, theses or dissertations. You can apply for jobs posted by employers or connect with your co-op coordinator to arrange funding for a job that is specific to your area of research. 

If you're already working closely with a faculty member or industry partner on a joint endeavor that is contributing to your graduate research project, you may be able to count this as a work term. This arrangement would be at the discretion of your school or department and through consultation with your co-op coordinator and graduate adviser.

Costs and
salaries

Costs

All co-op students on work terms pay a tuition fee. Your fee is due at the end of the first month of your work term. You can check current co-op tuition fees on our Co-op FAQ page or in the UVic Calendar.

Salaries

Co-op work terms are paid, so you'll earn a salary from your co-op employer while you gain relevant work experience. You'll find current average salaries for graduate students in our Co-op FAQ.

Academic
credit

As a graduate student, you'll earn 3.0 units of credit for each co-op work term you complete. These credits won't replace the credits you need to complete your academic program; instead, they'll go towards the co-op designation you'll receive on your degree.

You'll also have full-time student status during your work term, so you'll continue to have access to student services like the UVic bus pass and health care coverage.