Co-operative Education Program

The Applied Science Co-operative Education program provides motivated and qualified students workshops, coaching and support, including the employer job posting system, to search and secure paid, program monitored work experience, which is directly related to their academic program. Through participation in the job search and work terms co-op students gain valuable skills that can assist them with their academic program path while preparing for their post-degree career. The Co-op Program is available in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

The Co-op program is an optional, year-round program that normally requires completion of a minimum of four work terms including one work term in either of Term 1 or Term 2 of a Winter session. To remain in the Co-op program students must continue to meet the co-op requirements, including academic, and be eligible for advancement in their academic program. Students must end their degree program on an academic term. The Co-op Program requires an additional year to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science requirements.

Students seeking admission to the Co-op program normally apply between the end of first year, May, and beginning of second year, September. Application at the beginning of third year may also be possible. Specific application procedures and deadlines are available from the Co-op Program office.

Co-op Career Advisors conduct student-employer check-ins during each work term, assist in workplace learning, and provide advice on the written or oral assignments that are a requirement of the program for each work term.

Students who wish to be considered for the program must meet all requirements of the School and will be selected on the basis of academic performance, written and oral communication skills, and general suitability for the work environment.

The total program enrolment is subject to the current state of the market as well as the resources available to support coaching and job development. Acceptance into the program does not guarantee students employment in each work term. Students who are accepted to the Applied Science Co-op Program are required to accept and comply with the Program’s Terms & Conditions and are required to pay the co-op administration and workshop fee (see Program and Course Fees) upon admission. Also, upon admission, students will be registered in and are required to satisfactorily complete APSC_O 107 – Introduction to Applied Science Co-op.

For each work term, students securing a confirmed position will be registered in the appropriate 3-credit co-op course and will be required to pay the co-op course (see Program and Course Fees) and related fees. Students are unable to withdraw from the co-op work term course without permission of the Co-op Program.

In order to graduate with the co-operative education designation, a student must have satisfactorily completed the required number of work terms, in addition to the normal academic requirements of their discipline. Co-operative education course credits cannot be used in lieu of or to complement academic course credits required.

Transfer Students: Normally, students transferring from other institutions may be given credit for work terms completed at their former institution, if they meet the following requirements:

• they have been accepted into the UBC Co-op program;
• the program in which the work term was undertaken is accredited;
• the work term is officially recognized (i.e., noted on the transcript) by the institution where the work term originated; and
• the work term was granted for experience in the same or similar discipline into which they are transferring.

Regardless of the number of work terms accepted, students will be required to complete at least 50% of the required work terms in the new program into which they are transferring. Acceptance into a co-op program at one institution does not guarantee acceptance into UBC's Co-op Program. Application for transfer of work terms must be made in writing to the Co-operative Education program prior to undertaking any additional work terms at UBC.

For more information, please visit Applied Science Co-operative Education.