Just acquiring knowledge with the core modules won’t suffice if you want to carve a niche. In Canada, you can leverage the chance to learn and earn simultaneously. Co-op courses in Canada are a surefire way to bolster your resume.
For more than 60 years, Canada has been offering co-op programs to its students. The University of Waterloo has been operating the most extensive co-op program in the country/region. In a co-op diploma program in Canada, co-operative education refers to an educational program where a student’s classroom experience is supplemented with practical work experience. It is popular in Canada; other regions/countries have not been able to incorporate the same into their curriculum.
What is Co-Op in Canada
Co-op students usually alternate between four months of full-time employment in an organization and school. It is a fantastic way to explore careers, and earning while you learn is an unparalleled chance to balance your study abroad journey. Moreover, a typical co-op program alternates academic terms and work. Since students have many work terms throughout the degree, they tend to take an additional year extra to graduate, juxtaposed to students in other programs. Moreover, you will get the assistance of a co-op teacher who will help you enter a workplace, which might be different in many other programs.
Sample Work/ Study Co-Op Sequence
September to December
January to April
May to August
First year
Study term
Study term
Off
Second year
Study term
Work term
Study term
Third year
Work term
Study term
Work term
Fourth year
Study term
Work term
Study term
Fifth year
Work term
Study term
Work term = Four-month co-op work term
Study term = Four-month school term
Off = Make your own plans (work, travel, vacation, etc.)
* Reference from University of Waterloo
Top Benefits of Co-Op Education
Develop marketable skills indispensable for workplace success
Earn practical experience crucial in your field of study
A medium to earn money to help pay for tuition and the cost of living
Explore different work environments and alternate career trajectories
Apply classroom theory to real-life work settings
Enhance your network with future co-workers and employers
Build an evidence-based career portfolio to support your work applications or study
Courses with Co-Op in Canada: Earn While You Learn
Co-op students receive an average salary depending on the province in which they work, current education level, and previous work experience. The minimum wage per province varies; the minimum wage is CAD 14.00 in Ontario and CAD 13.85 per hour in British Columbia. At the end of the work term, it is indispensable for managers to share feedback with the university via a questionnaire or form.
Students interested in co-op programs have a plethora of options to choose from. For instance, students can choose between 13 business co-op programs at the University of Waterloo, including environment and business, information technology management, or arts and business.
Moreover, the University of British Columbia offers co-op programs where students can work abroad for a work term. It is a no-brainer that the criteria and requirements for work abroad programs may be distinct from other co-op programs.
Top Co-Op Courses in Canada for International Students
The desire to study abroad stems from the fact that a student is looking to gain valuable industry experience in tandem with theoretical knowledge. Courses with co-op in Canada make for the right choice. Students have various options, from co-op diploma programs in Canada to master’s.
Thus, to help you make the right choice, we have bifurcated the details into two categories:
Best Co-op Colleges in Canada
Best Co-op Universities in Canada
Best Co-Op Colleges in Canada for Indian Students
College Name
Popular Programs
Fee Structure
George Brown College
Business Administration ( Finance, Accounting, etc), Commerce, Sports,Human Resources, Digital Marketing, Marketing
$15000-$14000/ 2-3 semesters
Humber College
Engineering (Computer/Programming/Systems), Mechanical Engineering/Technology, Electrical, Technology/Engineering, Sustainable Energy and Building Technology
–
Seneca College
Accounting and Finance, Civil Engineering, Tourism, Aviation, Computer Systems,Business Administration, Environment, Business
$20,000/year
Centennial College
Business, School of Transportation, Applied degrees, School of Engineering Technology, Applied Sciences
$15,385 – $19,484/ 2 semesters
Best Co-Op Universities in Canada for Indian Students
Graduate Education, Public Administration, Law, Health Information Science, Humanities and Fine Arts, Exercise Science, Social Science, Physical and Health Education
$681.77- $1363.54/ per work term
University of Ottawa
Law,Engineering, Arts,Management
Co-op mandatory program- $750
Co-Op optional programme- $1000/per term
University of Alberta
Business, Engineering
–
Eligibility Requirements for Co-Op Work Permit
Students with a Canada study permit can apply for a co-op work permit as international students while pursuing their co-op courses in Canada. In addition, these eligibility requirements are indispensable:
A letter from DLI (Designated Learning Institute) confirms that students from this co-op course in Canada are required to do work placements.
Work terms cover a maximum of 50% or less of the entire course.
Enrolled in a program that requires work to receive the degree.
How do Students Get Job during Work Term
Students who wish to participate in the co-op program must apply in the fall of their second year at the University of Ottawa. Even if they have a reserved slot, if chosen, students still need to maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 8.0 and fulfill all course requirements until the formal commencement of the co-op program. They will forfeit their reserved seat in the program if they cannot achieve this requirement. The student can submit applications for employment posted on the university website or database once they have been chosen. The process of finding co-op employment is comparable to finding employment after graduation.
However, the eligibility criteria may differ for each organization, but there are a few requirements that remain the same:
The student should be a full-time student
The co-op program must be validated and registered with the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada)
Based on the province, the student should fulfill the desirable minimum age requirement
They must be registered for a co-op program
International students need to follow additional steps — apply and get a co-op work permit or co-op work permit. Students can apply for this work permit if they meet specific criteria, including a valid study permit, if the co-op job accounts for 50 percent or less of the study program, and if an appointment is required to complete their program.
Internship vs Co-Op Courses in Canada
Many international students can feel baffled as to why they should pursue courses with co-op in Canada when they can seize the opportunity of internships. We have encapsulated the difference between the two:
Basis
Internships
Co-op
Duration
Internships last 2 or 3 months.
Work terms in co-op courses can vary from 8 to 12 months.
Pay Scale
Students may or may not get paid.
Co-op employers will pay you based on the number of hours devoted.
Eligibility
Anyone is eligible to apply for an internship.
Students enrolled in co-op courses are eligible for it.
Learning Experience
Internships only offer work experience.
Co-op courses give students a chance to learn during the study term and implement theoretical knowledge during the co-opwork term.
Pursuing a co-op programs in 2024 can open doorways for you to greater opportunities.
FAQs
Do students get paid in a co-op job?
Yes, college and university students placed in other organizations or companies for their work terms get paid by their employers.
What is the process by which students get their co-op jobs?
Institutes offering the facility of co-op programs have specific departments that scour available options. Students may also look for suitable jobs via a slew of online portals. So, if a student finds a place where they decide to work, their institution’s co-op department makes an informed decision if this job fits the bill (as per the co-op arrangements of your program or not).
Do students need to pay extra for co-op programs?
Yes, co-op programs might be a slightly expensive option for students. But, it will provide students extra perks like industry contacts, higher employability, and industry expertise. Juxtaposed with the benefits, the cost is nothing.
Is Co-op courses in Canada compulsory?
It is an option for international students to pursue Co-Op programs. In Canada, universities provide a required and elective Co-Op program that allows students to make the appropriate choices.
Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.
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