Prospective Co-op Student FAQ

Co-op is a competitive program and admission is based on a student’s completed online application and the total number of seats available for that student’s discipline. Students need to:
– Meet all the application requirements listed on our website
– Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills
– Demonstrate co-op career motivation, maturity and readiness for growth

The CGPA is calculated based on all courses completed to date at UBC towards your Bachelor of Applied Science/Bachelor of Design degree. For Applied Science Co-op Intake and Co-op Participation purposes only, if you have failed and successfully re-taken a course, only the passing grade will be utilized in your CGPA calculation. This only pertains to exact courses re-taken; we do not consider equivalent courses. If you have a/some failed and successfully re-taken course(s) and your CGPA is below 65%, you may inquire with the Co-op Office at apsc.coop@ubc.ca as early as possible so we can confirm your eligibility and for you to be able to submit an application prior to the application deadline if you are eligible to apply.

If you are a new Transfer student from another institution with no prior UBC courses, we will review your UBC Admissions average for Intake.

If you are a Master of Engineering student, we will review your Master of Engineering Admissions average for Intake.

If you have started and/or completed a previous degree at UBC, and you are now in Bachelor of Applied Science/Bachelor of Design, please contact the Co-op Office at apsc.coop@ubc.ca as early as possible to inquire if you are eligible.

Please note that if your CGPA is 64.9%, we do not round up. You must have at least 65.0% to be eligible for co-op admission.

Yes. UBC Vancouver Master’s students have one opportunity to apply to the Co-op Program. Only Master of Engineering students who are commencing their degree program in September are eligible to apply to the Co-op Program. If a Master of Engineering student is not admitted, they cannot reapply the following year due to the relatively short duration of master’s-level degree programs.
Notes:
– UBC Master of Engineering Mining and Okanagan Master of Engineering students do not need to apply to the Co-op Program through this application process.
– MEng Okanagan and MEng NAME internships will be facilitated by the Co-op Office and students in this program will be contacted directly by the Co-op Office with instructions on how to participate in the internship program.
– MEng Mechatronics program does not provide a Co-op option and therefore, are not eligible to participate in Co-op.
– We do not accept MASc or PhD students.

Yes. If admitted into the Co-op Program, international students will need a co-op work permit in addition to a valid study permit. To apply for the co-op work permit, international students require a letter from the Co-op Program that proves that co-op work experience is essential to completing your degree program, and the application for the co-op work permit must be completed from within Canada. Further information on applying for the co-op work permit will be provided if you are accepted into the Co-op Program. International students may not be given access to the co-op job board until they have provided the Co-op Program proof that they have applied for a co-op work permit. International students must hold a valid co-op work permit to be eligible to work.

Once you have submitted your application on Canvas, you will see a message confirming that you have finished all required modules. Only fully completed applications will be reviewed, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have completed the application in its entirety by the application deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The application process includes a recorded interview, short answer questions, and knowledge quizzes which touch on subjects of professionalism, career readiness, experience, the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions, and other related topics. Each component in Canvas includes guidelines regarding how your answers will be evaluated, and resources where applicable to help in your preparation. For all Undergraduate and Vancouver Master of Engineering students, the application window is open for one month (with the exception of Masters of Engineering in Mining) to allow sufficient time to complete a well-prepared application (See Apply for co-op – Applied Science Co-op for exact application windows).

All applicants will be notified by email on an anticipated date of September 28. Ensure you check your junk and/or spam folders in your email, and if you have not received an email from the Co-op Office by September 29 at 12 pm, please contact our front desk at apsc.coop@ubc.ca.

Undergraduate students entering their second or third year of study are eligible for admission to the Co-op Program. If you are currently in the second year of an undergraduate degree program and are not admitted, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the professional development opportunities available on campus this year and to apply for the Co-op Program again at the next opportunity (the following September). Master of Engineering students cannot reapply for admission during our next intake the following September due to relatively short duration of master’s-level degree programs.

Yes! Please see this webpage for full details: https://coop.apsc.ubc.ca/prospective-students/indigenous-student-resources/

If you are registered with the Centre for Accessibility (Vancouver) or the Disability Resource Centre (Okanagan), please contact apsc.coop@ubc.ca as soon as possible before September 6 so there is sufficient time for the Co-op Office to respond to you with an arrangement. Accommodation arrangements will only be reviewed and arranged during Co-op Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PDT.

The pre-employment workshops prepare students to write effective job application documents, improve interview skills, understand the purpose of networking, review co-op resources and processes, and much more.

Yes. The pre-employment workshops are important and critical to your success. Students admitted to the Co-op Program must take part in all of the workshops, and complete all requirements. Students who do not successfully complete the workshops are ineligible to proceed in the Program.

The Co-op administration and workshop fee is $272.00.  Students must pay this one-time, non-refundable fee upon successfully gaining admission to the Co-op Program.

The Co-op Administration and Workshop Fee is paid online, directly to the Applied Science Co-op Program (not through the Student Service Centre (SSC)) and is due early October. Accepted methods of payment are Visa, Mastercard, American Express. Full details on how to pay this fee will be outlined in the acceptance email.

All Domestic and International students accepted into the Co-op Program must pay the one-time co-op administration and workshop fee ($272.00). this fee covers your pre-employment workshops and training, as well as intake administration. When you secure a co-op work term, you much pay a course fee ($838.00) which covers your work term online course, maintains full-time student status, maintains the job posting board, and covers your Career Advisor and admin support for the term. University fees increase slightly each year, please refer to the UBC Academic Calendar (Vancouver/Okanagan) for the most current Program and Course Fees.

The Co-op course fee and related student fees (Vancouver/Okanagan) are assessed for each confirmed four-month work term at the same time as regular tuition fees. Tuition and program fee payment instructions are outlined on the UBC Student Services website and payment is made through your SSC account, like any other UBC course or program. the Co-op course fee is the same for both international and domestic students.

A work term is a paid, supervised, industry and/or research employment experience which mirrors the months of the equivalent academic term (e.g. a Fall work term is September – December). Work terms can be found via the Co-op Job Board or found independently as long as these criteria are met.  Work terms are evaluated on a pass/fail basis and documented on your official university transcript. Co-op work terms cover periods of 4, 8, 12 or 16 months, depending on the employer’s needs and the student’s availability.

Most students begin their first co-op work term in the summer (May – August) following admission into the Co-op Program. However, this may differ for each engineering discipline. Students may modify their schedules in consultation with their Co-op Career Advisor and their Academic Advisor. Standard work term sequence options for each program can be found here: Work Term Schedule – Applied Science Co-op.

The work term recruitment period (job search) begins four months prior to the scheduled work term, e.g. start of the summer job search begins in January. When a student has accepted an offer of co-op employment, the student will be registered by the Co-op Office in the appropriate APSC work term co-op course(s) for the term(s) covering the duration of the employment contract. Co-op employment contracts cover periods of 4, 8, 12 or 16 months, depending on the employer’s needs and the student’s availability.

Yes. While on a co-op work term you are considered a full-time student for eligibility for student loans and interest-free status. If you have any questions about student loans, grants or awards, follow up with your Enrolment Services Advisor (ESA) in Vancouver or Students Services at UBC Okanagan. You can also visit BC Student Aid for student loan details.

The UBC Applied Science Co-op Program is connected with hundreds of employers offering exciting opportunities for students to make meaningful industry connections, gain firsthand experience, and develop new skills. Some of our frequent employers include:
Tesla, Microchip, Ballard Power Systems, Teck Resources, Thurber Engineering, BC Hydro & Power Authority, Kardium, Metro Vancouver, Ledcor, TC Energy, Intel, Amazon, Dometic, Motorola Solutions, Smith + Andersen, Seaspan, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Sierra Wireless, Suncor Energy, WSP, STEMCELL Technologies, Ellisdon, and UBC itself.

No. Securing a job is a competitive process and is not guaranteed. It’s important for students to put effort into their job search and applications. Co-op students have access to the program’s exclusive co-op job portal and support of the Co-op team. The more positions applied to, the higher the chance of securing a job. We will work with you and support you in your job search with our pre-employment workshops, appointments and 1:1 coaching — from your first job search through to your final work term.

Co-op will not register you for the term, and you will continue in the Co-op program. If you have registered for courses, you may return to classes and be able to job search for your next scheduled co-op work term.

Yes! In addition to applying for positions through the Program’s portal, you should expand your job searching efforts by developing leads and exploring opportunities through your personal connections, networking events, or career fairs. Work terms can be found via the Co-op job board or found independently as long as the position is paid, supervised, industry and/or research employment experience. Meet with your Co-op Career Advisor to discuss and develop your job search strategy.

No. Co-op opportunities are available across numerous industries, organizations, and geographic locations. Many co-op opportunities are in British Columbia and Alberta but there are opportunities available across Canada, in the USA and globally. Students can seek out opportunities in any geographic region of interest but should not be too restrictive to increase success in securing a position.

Yes. International co-op work terms allow you to expand your horizons and industry networks globally. You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and new experiences. The most frequent destinations are Japan, Germany, the United States, and China. Our Co-op Career Advisors are here to help you understand what’s involved to seek out, potentially secure and address next steps when you accept an international work term. They can assist and provide you with information and resources so that you can be better prepared to search and work internationally.

Bachelor of Applied Science co-op students must complete a minimum of four work terms – including at least one term in two different seasons (summer, fall, and/or winter) to graduate with Co-op Standing and have “Co-op” designation noted on their degree parchment. Bachelor of Design students must complete a minimum of three work terms – including at least one term in fall or winter in order to graduate with the “Co-op” designation on their degree parchment. Master of Engineering students are not eligible for Co-op designation on their degree parchment.

Yes. Up to 12 months of co-op work may be eligible as work experience when registering with EGBC and applying for P.Eng. designation, provided the work is relevant to your discipline and can be validated by a supervisor with first-hand knowledge of your work. See EGBC website for further information: Competency-Based Assessment (egbc.ca).

CIE is an academic exchange program specifically for students in the Faculty of Applied Science. It is an experiential opportunity for student which we support by providing the opportunity to integrate it in your plans to graduate with Co-op designation on your degree. If you are completing a CIE term during a scheduled work term, you may be eligible to count this term toward one of the minimum four work terms required for Co-op standing. Full CIE program details are available here: Coordinated International Experience (CIE).