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Co-operative Education

Business

If you're a student in the BCom or Master of Global Business (MGB) program, you'll complete required work experience terms as part of your degree.

A work experience term is optional in the MBA program and the Master in Management (MM) program.

Office & contacts

Our regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Office: BEC 112
busicoop@uvic.ca
250-721-6063

Co-op coordinators

BCom co-op coordinators

MBA & MGB co-op coordinator

Operations and events coordinators

Career educator

Employment development officer

Associate Director

Barbara Svec (Acting) (BEC 126)
buscoopad@uvic.ca 

Program facts & formats

UVic’s Gustavson School of Business is one of the few business programs in Canada that require work experience terms for all undergraduate students enrolled in our faculty.

You can apply work terms with employer organizations, complete entrepreneurial work terms in which you develop your own business, or even explore international work term opportunities.

Commerce

For students in year 1 of the program in the fall of 2025:

  • one work experience terms is built in to your program (we highly recommend completing a second optional work experience term)
  • you have the option to add a third work term and receive a formal co-op designation to your degree
  • must complete COM 204 Introduction to Professional Practice prior to your first work term

For students in year 2, 3 or 4 of the program in the fall of 2025:

  • you'll complete three co-op work terms as part of your academic program
  • must complete COM 204 Introduction to Professional Practice prior to your first work term

MBA

  • co-op work term is optional
  • must complete a series of MBA Introduction to Professional Practice workshops before taking part in co-op

MGB

  • mandatory internship program (automatically enrolled; no application required)
  • one work term/internship required
  • must complete MGB 502 Personal and Professional Development before work term/internship

MM

  • one optional work experience term
  • must complete MM 504 Workplace and Career Preparation prior to starting work term

Program formats available

Fees

Fees are due during your work experience term. The fee does not guarantee a job placement. Fees are subject to change and are typically updated annually. 

BCom

  • domestic undergraduate students: $807.56
  • international undergraduate students: $1,696.74

MBA

  • domestic students: $807.56 per work term
  • international students: $1,015.71 per work term

MGB

  • domestic students: $403.78 per work term
  • international students: $507.86 per work term

Average salaries

You'll receive a salary from your employer during each co-op work term. Co-op salaries vary according to many factors, including:

  • your previous work experience
  • the industry you're working in
  • the responsibilities of your co-op job

Average monthly salaries:

  • Commerce: $3,425
  • MBA: $4,479
  • MGB: $2,889 (only 300 hours per work experience term; please note that MGB internships may be paid or unpaid)

View salary estimates for all programs.

Work term timelines

Work terms begin in January, May and September and are typically 4 months long. Some work term timelines may vary.

Finding a work experience term 

In addition to the general process for finding a co-op job you need to complete the terms & conditions form in the Co-op and Career portal to receive access to work experience job postings.

Registering a work experience term 

To register your work experience term/internship, complete this letter of employment and send it to your co-op coordinator for review.

During your work experience term 

While completing your work experience term/intership, you’ll take part in a range of activities. These include personal reflections, networking opportunities, knowledge sharing and more.

After your work experience term

At the end of your work experience term/internship, you will reflect on your experience, the knowledge and skills you’ve developed and how it will shape the next step in your career journey. You will do this by completing one of the following options:

  • work term/internship report
  • video report (restrictions apply)
  • article
  • blog post
  • letter to a future student

You may have the opportunity to participate in an online discussion throughout the term.

Final reflective assignment due dates:

  • May–August work term: due August 15
  • September–December work term: due December 15
  • January–April work term: due April 15

If the due date falls on a holiday or a weekend, the assignment will be due the next business day.

More details can be found in the Work Experience Program Manual, located in Brightspace.

Get support

We're here to support you with every step in your co-op journey, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. Contact your co-op coordinator or office for assistance.

If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, if you belong to an equity group, or if you identify as Indigenous, we have additional supports for your co-op experience. 

Sample employers & jobs

You could work for employers in the private, public and non-profit sectors—in Victoria, across Canada and abroad. Past examples include:

  • AbeBooks—HR assistant
  • The Bateman Foundation—marketing and outreach assistant
  • BC Ferries—treasury analyst
  • BC Ministry of Agriculture—market development business officer
  • BC Ministry of Transportation—First Nations project assistant
  • Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong)—events management trainee
  • Deloitte—consulting internship, human capital
  • Downtown Victoria Business Association—marketing assistant
  • KPMG LLP—audit and tax co-op student
  • National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces—business analyst
  • RE/Max Canada—marketing and social media intern
  • RevenueWire Inc.—marketing co-op
  • Scotiabank—corporate financial analyst co-op
  • Sitka Surf Co.—graphic production agent/online merchandiser
  • Whistler Blackcomb—guest services leadership intern
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Student of the Year Award

Past winner - Danielle Lowe

Jadyn Isaacson

Learn more about Danielle's story.

Award details

Are you an excellent ambassador for Business Co-op? If you’ve contributed to your workplace, to UVic, to Business Co-op or the community, you could be the next Work Experience Student of the Year. 

Winners receive:

  • $500
  • a framed certificate
  • recognition on the Co-op website

The winning student may also be nominated for the provincial (ACE-WIL) and national (CEWIL) awards.

The runner-up receives $250.

This award is by nomination only by your co-op coordinator.