Engineering

Engineering Co-op is mandatory for undergraduate students studying:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Civil Engineering 
• Computer Engineering 
• Electrical Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Software Engineering 

Undergraduate programs

As an undergraduate student, you can take part in these co-op formats.

• regular full-time work term
• entrepreneurial co-op
• parallel co-op (part-time)
• work term transfer
• work term challenge

Learn more about these types of co-op.

What is required?

• mandatory co-op—part of your degree program
• automatically enrolled; no application required
• 4 work terms required
• must complete ENGR 130 (Introduction to Professional Practice)

Fees

As a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Software Engineering (BSEng) student, you must:

• complete 4 co-op work terms
• pay your co-op tuition fee on an installment plan, with one installment per term
• start paying your co-op tuition fee at the beginning of the first year

Tuition fee installment plan:

• domestic students: 8 installments of $380.49
• international students: 8 installments of $707.34 

If you're a bridge student admitted directly into third year, you'll start paying the fee when you begin your third-year courses.

If you challenge a work term, you'll pay one fewer installment per challenge. If you're a transfer student, you may transfer up to 2 work terms and pay two fewer installments.

Sample jobs & employers

Here are a few sample jobs. For specific examples, contact your co-op coordinator.

• audio software engineer with Electronic Arts Canada
• design and production co-op student with Creo
• engineering co-op student with Ballard Power Systems

Potential career paths

• healthcare engineer
• structural designer
• environmental analyst
• software engineer
• cyber security officer
• big data analyst
• project manager
• application developer

Graduate programs

As a graduate student, you can take part in the optional co-op or work experience program.

Program facts

• master's students: complete 2 work terms (8 months of work) to receive a co-op designation, or 1 work term to receive a "work experience" endorsement on your degree
• doctoral students: complete 3 work terms (12 months of work) to receive a co-op designation, or 1 work term to receive a "work experience" endorsement on your degree
• work terms do not have to be continuous—you can work for different employers on different work terms

Application requirements

• you must have your grad supervisor's permission to participate in the co-op program and each specific work term
• you must complete your first co-op work term before the academic term in which you complete your academic requirements (defend your thesis or equivalent)
• you must complete regular work term requirements (including Introduction to Professional Practice, competency assessments and a work term report)

How to apply

To apply, complete and submit the graduate co-op application form.

Due dates each term

• January 21 for spring intake
• September 21 for fall intake

International students should apply at least 2 semesters before the intended work term to ensure that there is enough time to receive a co-op work permit. For example:

• summer work term: submit your intake form and attend the Introduction to Professional Practice workshop in the fall of the previous year
• fall work term: submit your intake form and attend the spring intake workshop in the same year

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.