Social Sciences

Social Sciences Co-op office offers optional co-op programs to undergraduate and graduate students:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Environmental Studies 
• Geography 
• Political Science 
• Psychology 
• Restoration of Natural Systems
• Sociology

Requirements & deadlines

Application requirements vary depending on your level of study and your program area.

Once admitted, you'll enroll in the exclusive-to-co-op Introduction to Professional Practice course in Brightspace. It includes self-directed reading and assignments, as well as live Zoom meetings offered several times each week to fit your schedule

Undergraduate students

To apply, you must be a full-time student and have completed your first year of study.

You should not have completed all the coursework for your degree as the program is meant to be completed during your curricular studies.

Book an appointment with a social sciences coordinator to chat about eligibility (log into the co-op portal and select "Appointments" on the left-hand panel).

You must also meet the following GPA requirements:

• Anthropology: overall GPA 5.0. Average GPA 5.0 in all ANTH courses
• Economics: overall GPA 4.5
  • GPA 4.5 in Econ 103 or 103C or 180, 104, 225 and Econ 245 (no less than B- in each)
  • no less than B in one of CSC 105, 110 or 111
  • if you've taken ECON 203 or 204, you must meet the GPA 4.5 requirement in these rather than ECON 103 or 103C or 180 and/or 104
• Environmental Studies: overall GPA 5.0
• Geography: overall GPA 4.5
  • GPA 4.5 in all GEOG courses
• Political Science: overall GPA 5.0
  • GPA 5.0 in 100- and 200-level POLI courses
• Psychology: overall GPA 5.0
  • average GPA 6.0 (B+) in all PSYC courses
• Restoration of Natural Systems: overall GPA 5.0
  • completion of RNS core courses
• Sociology: overall GPA 5.0
  • GPA 5.0 in SOCI 100, 210 and 211

Application periods:

• September 1 to 15

Graduate students

All Social Sciences graduate students are eligible for co-op. You can apply in September or January after you have started your program and before you finish your final project (e.g., thesis, major project or dissertation). Speak to your supervisor about your plans.

Keep in mind that as a graduate student, you must complete your first co-op term before you finish your final project. Please contact us for details.

Application period:

• September 1 to 15

Program formats

Social Sciences Co-op is flexible to your schedule. You will take part in one of the following formats, depending on where you are in the completion of your degree:

• traditional co-op: completing at least 3 co-op work terms to earn the co-op designation
• work experience program: completing 1 or 2 work terms

How you complete your co-op terms can also vary:

• you can work part time while taking courses. Parallel (part-time) co-op depends on employer and student needs
• you can complete 2 or 3 work terms consecutively with the same organization (some students and employers appreciate longer placements) or with different organizations

Learn more about these types of co-op.

What counts as a co-op work term?

 Co-op jobs have to meet certain criteria. Learn what a co-op work term should look like.

Fees

Co-op students pay a co-op tuition fee for each work term. It's free to join co-op and attend the preparation course—you'll pay your tuition fee after you secure a co-op work term.

You'll pay your fees according to the same tuition fee deadlines as regular course fees.

Fees per work term for undergraduate students:

• domestic students: $760.98
• international students: $1,414.67

Fees per work term for graduate students:

• domestic students: $760.98
• international students: $957.14

Note that the graduate co-op tuition fee is different than the graduate installment fee. If you are a grad student and register for a co-op work term, during that term, you'll pay:

• the grad co-op program fee  
• the grad ancillary fees

If you register for a course (e.g. thesis 596 or 598) and a co-op work term in the same term, during that term, you'll pay:

• the grad co-op program tuition fee
• the course tuition fee
• the grad ancillary fees

Questions about co-op tuition fees? Email us or call 250-721-7032 for assistance.

Sample employers & jobs

Social sciences students are technically skilled (numbers, technology) as well as interested in community, social and environmental involvement (communication and collaboration skills).

Students engage in diverse interests and work environments—environmental, industrial and corporate, public-sector policy, private equity and banking, data management, social services and community development.

Anthropology

• Parks Canada – park naturalist
• Black Press / UsedVictoria – social media and communications coordinator
• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Residential Schools Resolution research assistant
• UVic Welcome Centre – student recruiter
• Sooke Museum – museum assistant

Economics

• Financial Institutions Commission – risk analyst
• CIBC Wood Gundy – investment advisor assistant
• BlackBerry – pricing analyst
• BC Ministry of Energy and Mines – policy assistant, Mines and Minerals Resources

Environmental Studies

• BC Ministry of Environment – Water Resources research assistant
• Public Works and Government Services Canada – Contaminated Sites Project Management assistant
• Parks Canada – park naturalist
• Recycling Council of Alberta – recycling ambassador

Geography

• Parks Canada – ecological monitoring assistant
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Canadian Hydrographic Service – GIS analyst
• BC Ministry of Energy and Mines – mapping assistant
• BC SPCA, WildARC – wildlife rehabilitation assistant
• Sooke Regional Museum – museum assistant
• Canadian Forest Service – research assistant, Mountain Pine Beetle

Political Science

• BC Healthy Communities – Victoria Youth Council coordinator
• National Defence and the Canadian Forces – Geopolitical and Maritime Security research assistant
• Victoria Disability Resource Centre – workshop program coordinator
• Land Trust Alliance of BC – community outreach officer
• Parks Canada – Gulf Islands National Park Reserve survey coordinator

Psychology

• Rock Solid Foundation – WITS program coordinator
• Island Health – mental health and addictions research assistant
• Alberta Sick Kids Hospital – brain injury research assistant
• Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre – recreation coordinator
• BC Ministry of Education – provincial exam marking coordinator

Sociology

• Corrections Canada – junior parole officer
• BC Stats – research assistant
• UVic Welcome Centre – student recruiter
• Beacon Community Services – workshop facilitator & volunteer coordinator
• CanAssist – job coach

Other hands-on learning at UVic

UVic offers a ton of hands-on learning opportunities related to what you're studying. This includes field schools, internships and more.

You can explore opportunities and career paths for your academic program area:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Environmental Studies
• Geography
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Restoration of Natural Systems (diploma)
• Sociology

Interested in volunteering?  Find a volunteer position that inspires you.

Want to work with an academic adviser? Book an appointment.

Get support

If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, or if you belong to an equity group, we can support your co-op experience.

We'll help you with every step, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. 

How to apply

Apply by logging into the co-op portal.

• use your UVic NetLink ID and password
• once logged in, select “Co-op” on the navigation menu
• follow the prompts to complete your application

Note: You'll be unable to apply if: 

• you've previously been or are currently in another co-op program at UVic
• you're NOT in the Faculty of Social Sciences
• you're trying to apply outside of the admission periods

If you are unable to apply through the portal, please contact your co-op coordinator.