Co-op Information for Students

Welcome Students!

Interested in learning more about the UNBC Co-op program?

Read more about the program or choose a topic from the list below. 


What is Co-op?

As defined by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada), a co-op program is an educational model that “formally integrates a student's academic studies with work experience. In co-op programs, students usually alternate academic terms with co-op work terms so that they can put what they've learned into action and bring their co-op work term experiences back into the classroom and onto the UNBC campus.


Why enroll in Co-op?

Students who enroll in co-op ensure they are ready for anything that comes their way – be it a summer job or a career after graduation. Studies show that students who graduate from undergraduate co-op programs experience higher employment rates, better self reported occupation-to-field-of-study matches, and higher earnings.

Co-op students can benefit by:

  • participating in exclusive online pre-employment training,
  • gaining quality work experience in a variety of fields with multiple employers,
  • receiving competitive wages for their work, and
  • building their professional networks.

Additionally, UNBC Co-op students specifically benefit from a centralized, one-stop-shop co-op office that works closely with employers, UNBC faculties, and other UNBC departments to ensure its students are given access to the training, and mentorship that will allow them to succeed, and quality co-op work term opportunities for them to succeed in!

Student Photos


How does Co-op work?

A typical journey through the UNBC Co-op program is reflected in the timeline below. However, keep in mind that UNBC Co-op students can participate in co-op work terms during September and January semesters as well and employer hiring processes may not follow this timeline (e.g., an employer may start looking in October for a May semester student).

To graduate with a Co-operative Education designation on their transcript, students are required to:

  1. Attend an info session and meetings with the co-op office,
  2. Participate in online pre-employment training,
  3. Successfully complete a minimum of three co-op work terms (4 for Engineering students) prior to graduation (co-op work terms are evaluated on a pass/fail basis and are NOT for academic credit),
  4. End their time at UNBC on an academic semester.
Timeline for Students

Apply for admission into the Co-op Program

Applications for Co-op are being accepted from January 29/24 to February 6/24.

Please ensure you meet the requirements (24 credit and 2.50 GPA), or very close, and attend one of the following face-to-face Information Sessions (you must attend one of the sessions to be considered for entry into the Coop program):

  • Jan 23rd 10:00 am - 11:00 am Location: Learning Commons Event Space (Library 5-140E)
  • Jan 24th 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Location: Online (please email brenda.wilfur@unbc.ca to register)
  • Jan 25rd 10:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Learning Commons Event Space (Library 5-140E)

No applications will be considered past the February 6/24 deadline.

Qualifications
  • Be enroled full time in a UNBC Undergraduate Program (Excluding Nursing, Social Work and Education) 
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50
  • Have completed 24 credit hours of study (70 for Engineering) before starting work term one. 
Co-op Application Process

Applications can be submitted online every September. To apply, attend an information session. Complete the Application and Student Terms and Conditions Forms.


Work Terms

A typical Co-op work term is full-time work for approximately four months, mirroring an academic semester. 

  • May semester: May – August
  • September semester: September – December
  • January semester: January – April

You may also find co-op work term opportunities that are eight months long. Co-op work terms that are eight months long are counted as two co-op work terms. There is also the possibility to complete a parallel co-op work terms, where you work part-time for eight months while enrolled in a part-time course load. 

If you are a transfer student who has previous co-op credit please contact the UNBC Co-op Office.


Co-op Work Term Checklist 
Before First Work Placement
1. Attend Online Pre-Employment Training
  • Job Seeking
  • Resume Writing
  • Cover Letter Writing
  • Interview Skills
  • What to expect on the job
2. Finding a Work Placement
  • UNBC Co-op job board
  • Source own employment
3. Before the Work Term
  • Once Course Approval Form had been approved, pay Co-op Fee 
  • Email job posting and employer contact information if sourced own placement
4. Near the Halfway Mark
  • The UNBC Co-op Coordinator will conduct a mid-site visit in-person or virtual. 
5. At the End of the Work Term
  • Meet with employer supervisor and complete the student evaluation form. 
  • Complete and submit your reflective paper. 

As a UNBC Co-op student, you are registered in a Co-operative Education (COOP) course through the co-op and registrar's office for each four-month co-op work term you participate in. This course will appear on your transcript, is evaluated on a pass/fail basis and is not for academic credit. 


Fees

As a UNBC Co-op student, you pay a tuition fee to enrol in a COOP course, just as you would to enrol in an academic course. The tuition fee is equal to a 3 credit course, $575.65 per four-month co-op work term you participate in. You do not pay for enrolling in the program or participating in the online pre-employment training.The co-op work term tuition fee is non-refundable and is subject to change without notice.

Please contact the co-op office for inquiries regarding self-sourced co-op work terms prior to accepting any position.


Connect with us!

Interested in learning more? Have a particular employer you’d like to work for?

co-op@unbc.ca | 250-960-5447 | 7-153