Co-operative education program for students

Jason (MEd, Métis) spent a co-op work term coaching Bantam hockey in Saskatchewan.
Real-life learning.
Co-operative education (co-op) is available for almost every academic program at UVic. Check our co-op FAQ for general information, or find your co-op program below.
Exceeding national standards
All 224 UVic co-op degree programs are accredited by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE).
Search for co-op program areas
Browse co-op program areas
Anthropology Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to museum and cultural heritage, social services, emergency planning and preparedness, cross-cultural communication and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | Social Sciences | Optional |
Biochemistry and Microbiology Co-op
Try jobs in medicine and public health, veterinary science, agriculture and horticulture, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, vaccine developments, fisheries, and environmental protection. Some co-op positions involve laboratory research. Others will take you out in the field.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Microbiology | Science | Optional |
Biology Co-op
Gain work experience in marine biology, fisheries, forestry, resource management, pest management, environmental monitoring, wildlife assessment and tracking, botany, microbiology and genetics.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | Science | Optional |
Business Co-op
If you're a business student, you'll automatically participate in Business Co-op and will complete at least three work terms. You can specialize in one of three high-demand areas: entrepreneurship, international business or services management.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BCom | Business | Mandatory |
| MBA | Business | Mandatory |
Chemistry Co-op
Chemistry Co-op helps you gain hands-on work experience in the laboratory with the latest equipment and methods. You'll work in areas of environmental monitoring, quality control or research and development. Some of our employers include industrial and pharmaceutical companies, analytical companies and the government.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Science | Optional |
Earth and Ocean Sciences Co-op
EOS Co-op connects you with employers in the mining and oil industries, environmental consulting firms and government agencies. Before starting your first EOS Co-op work term, you'll usually complete a ten-day field school class.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Earth and Ocean Sciences | Science | Optional |
Economics Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to corporate finance and governance, policy analysis for government, investment and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | Social Sciences | Optional |
Engineering and Computer Science/Math Co-op
Thinking about a degree in electrical, computer, mechanical or software engineering, or in computer science, math or statistics? If you're an engineering student, participating in co-op is mandatory for graduation. If you're a computer science or mathematics student, you can choose to join the Co-op Program and alternate your academic terms with paid work terms in your field.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | Engineering | Optional |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | Engineering | Mandatory |
| Mathematics and Statistics | Science | Optional |
| Mechanical Engineering | Engineering | Mandatory |
| Software Engineering | Engineering | Mandatory |
Environmental Studies Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to climate change policy, environmental conservation, parks interpretation, social services, government research, land use planning, international development and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | Social Sciences | Optional |
Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education Co-op
EPHE Co-op prepares you to thrive in the fields of wellness promotion, physical rehabilitation, exercise, coaching and health education.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Coaching Studies | Education | Mandatory |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Education | Optional |
| Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies | Education | Optional |
| Kinesiology | Education | Optional |
| Recreation and Health Education | Education | Mandatory |
Geography Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to parks and protected areas, climate change adaptation, land use planning, scientific research, emergency planning and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Geography | Social Sciences | Optional |
Health Information Science Co-op
Health Information Science (HIS) Co-op connects you with real-world jobs in health care systems management. As an HIS Co-op student, you'll learn how to leverage computer and telecommunications technology to process health care information, and to help health care professionals make effective decisions in caring for patients.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Science | Human and Social Development | Mandatory |
Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-op
Thinking about a career in communications and culture? As an HFPW Co-op student, you?ll get hands-on experience in exciting workplaces?weekly and daily newspapers, book and magazine publishers, media groups, museums, galleries, cultural societies, advocacy groups and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| English | Humanities | Optional |
| French | Humanities | Optional |
| Germanic and Slavic Studies | Humanities | Optional |
| Greek and Roman Studies | Humanities | Optional |
| Hispanic and Italian Studies | Humanities | Optional |
| History | Humanities | Optional |
| History in Art | Fine Arts | Optional |
| Linguistics | Humanities | Optional |
| Medieval Studies | Humanities | Optional |
| Music | Fine Arts | Optional |
| Pacific and Asian Studies | Humanities | Optional |
| Philosophy | Humanities | Optional |
| Theatre | Fine Arts | Optional |
| Visual Arts | Fine Arts | Optional |
| Women's Studies | Humanities | Optional |
| Writing | Fine Arts | Optional |
Law Co-op
UVic Law Co-op is one of the only programs of its kind in Canada. We can connect you with employers in government, private law firms, not-for-profit organizations, crown corporations and educational institutions. As a Law co-op student, you'll write legal memos, draft legal documents, prepare legal analysis by synthesizing facts and law, and represent clients in court. Law Co-op admits students by lottery.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Law | Optional |
Physics and Astronomy Co-op
Physics and Astronomy Co-op lets you try out jobs in fields like astrophysics, medical physics and particle physics. Our employers include high-tech businesses, scientific research organizations, crown corporations, and government and university research labs.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomy | Science | Optional |
| Physics | Science | Optional |
Political Science Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to corporate governance, policy research and analysis for government, program support for not-for-profit organizations and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science | Social Sciences | Optional |
Psychology Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to research work for government, social services, marketing and business-related activities, youth programming, education outreach and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | Social Sciences | Optional |
Public Administration Co-op
Our co-op program connects you with public sector work experience in areas of research, program evaluation, policy analysis, event planning and coordination, and cost-benefit studies. Public administration majors and minors can take part in this co-op program.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | Human and Social Development | Mandatory |
Sociology Co-op
Through this program, you can hire students seeking work experience related to research and policy work, social services agencies, educational outreach and more.
| Area | Area grouping | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | Social Sciences | Optional |

