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Earn while you learn

Through co-operative education (co-op), you can alternate terms in class with paid work terms in jobs related to your field of study.

You'll try different jobs, earn a salary, meet employers and gain relevant experience—all during your UVic degree!

Co-op at UVic is available for students in almost every program.

62%

of co-op students get job offers before graduation

$3,076

average monthly salary for undergraduates

100,000+

co-op placements since program launch

Ensuring everyone feels welcome

We want to include and accommodate all. Learn about our equity, diversity and inclusion, accessibility and health and wellness resources.

Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Our programs are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—at their core, the  SDGs are about ending poverty and inequality and providing opportunity and support for all.

Here are the initiatives, programs and experiences facilitated through UVic’s Co-op and Career team that align with and contribute to the SDGs. 

Co-op Changemakers

UVic co-op students are recognized for their innovative contributions to the world around them with the Co-op Changemaker awards.

Apply for the award or nominate a co-op student.

Not a UVic student yet?

Co-op is just one of the many great reasons to study here.

Discover what the future holds for you at UVic.

Events

Student experiences

Engineering
Christine Wong Chong, an engineering co-op student, is standing in a vineyard on a sunny day, reaching up to touch one vine. Christine is framed by the vines.

Christine Wong Chong - Biomedical engineering student Christine combined her passions in technology and public health.

Health Information Science
Three students wearing red lanyards and button-up shifts stand together showing off a structure made of popsicle sticks.

Andrew Abuleal - Health information science student Andrew worked to improve healthcare in Kenya on an international work term at Aga Khan University.

Law
Three women stand in front of the First Peoples House. They are holding law books and looking at each other.

Kirsty Broadhead - UVic Law student Kirsty combined passion and research with an Indigenous law work term at the Indigenous Law Research Unit.

Fine Arts
A student stands in between several colourful beaded art pieces that are hanging from the ceiliing.
Mel Granley - Indigenous student and art history/visual studies student Mel helped curate the Legacy Gallery's "On Beaded Ground" exhibit.
Science
A student sits at a desk in front of a laptop.

Chloe Leroy - Chloe worked as a virtual research assistant for a university in Chile, exploring ways to address deadly salmon pathogens.

Business
A student leans against a brick wall. He is holding a box of BinBreeze.
Jamil Bhimji - BCom student Jamil made an impact at BinBreeze, a Victoria-based company that is changing the future of composting food waste.
More stories.
career educator with student at laptop

Looking for career help?

Career Services is here to help you succeed at work during your time at UVic and beyond. We run workshops and programs, offer in-person support and provide many online resources to help you navigate your career.

Co-op Students of the Year

Each year, we recognize three co-op students with outstanding achievements in their academic studies, workplace performance and community involvement. Winners are announced in November.

One student is selected from each of our three major program areas:

Learn about the nomination process.

Territory acknowledgment

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Learn about co-op opportunities for Indigenous students. Employers can access information about hiring Indigenous students.

Sign up for our e-newsletter

Get the latest about job-related events and workshops, employers looking to connect with you, co-op opportunities and more. You'll receive an e-newsletter most Mondays - it's the perfect way to stay connected!