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By Prabhadri Suman|Updated On - 2023-05-17 07:00:03
Co-op courses in Canada: Check co-op program benefits, eligibility, admissions criteria, and how to apply to the top universities in Canada, etc.
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A co-op course or cooperative education program refers to a system under which a student gains practical work experience simultaneously alongside classroom experience during the course of the program. Canada has been offering co-op programs to its students for the last several decades.
Some years ago, the government of Canada increased its support for co-op programs through the Student Work Placement Program. The Canadian government pledged to support and subsidize the salary for co-op students who meet the eligibility criteria in STEM and business programs for post-secondary education.
A typical co-op course entails an alternating pattern where one semester of academic term is followed by one semester of work term. Since students in co-op programs have multiple work terms over the course of the degree, they tend to take an additional year to graduate compared to students in other programs.
A co-op program is a unique model that allows students to spend each work term with a different organization in their chosen field. It is like a paid internship where students earn between, with the help of which they can easily pay for their monthly housing and grocery bills.
Along with pursuing their studies, students get work experience. This gives them insight into different practical aspects of their subject of study. It also brings them more clarity on what area they would like to pursue in the long run in their career. The work term lasts for around four months, during which time the student gets placed in an organization relevant to their field of study, with a specific role, and reports to a manager.
The average salary for work under co-op courses varies according to the student's current education level, previous work experience, and the province in which they work. That said, it usually ranges between $12-$15 per hour. At the end of the work term, managers are required to send their feedback to the university and give a performance evaluation of the student.
Students who wanted to study in Canada can look for a wide variety of options. For instance, at the University of Waterloo, students can choose between 13 business co-op programs, including environment and business, arts and business, and information technology management, or enroll in the university's Computer Engineering co-op program. Almost all universities have dedicated staff or departments to assist students in finding program-specific employment.
Co-op students can work full-time for four months in an organization and then attend school. This provides an excellent opportunity to explore different career paths while earning an income. The co-op program alternates between academic and work terms throughout the degree. This may result in an additional year to graduate compared to other programs. However, students are provided with a co-op teacher who can assist in finding a suitable workplace. This is a benefit that sets the co-op program apart from others.
Year of Study | September to December | January to April | May to August |
First-year | Study term | Study term | Holiday |
Second year | Study term | Co-op Work term | Study term |
Third year | Co-op Work term | Study term | Work term |
Fourth-year | Study term | Co-op Work term | Study term |
Fifth year | Co-op Work term | Study term | Graduation |
Co-op Work term
= Four-month co-op work term,
Study term
= Four-month school term,
Off
= work, travel, vacation, etc.)
Let us weigh up the benefits of opting for a co-op education in Canada:
As far as jobs, careers, and employment are concerned, how does a co-op program fare in comparison to internships? Let us have a look at the differences between the two to give a further perspective.
Get FREE advice from our experts to study in Canada
Internships | Co-op Courses |
Can either be part-time or full-time | Co-op programs mostly include full-time jobs |
Can either be unpaid or paid | Students get full-time salaries |
Internships allow students to work flexibly | Co-op students work for a fixed time of bond |
Usually lasts for 2-3 months, so less work experience | Extensive work experience |
All in all, a co-op course has stronger long-term benefits as it prepares students for their specialization by giving them hands-on experience in that field. Additionally, this form of education helps international students decide on future career options.
Students in the co-op program have to apply beforehand to get selected in the fall of their second year. Even if they get selected, they still have to maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 8.0 and meet all other course requirements before the official start of the co-op program. If you want to see CGPA to percentage conversion for study abroad, read our blog on
CGPA to percentage - How to convert CGPA into percentage?
Once selected, students can apply for jobs listed on their university website or database. As with any other job interview in the 'real world', students have to wait for callbacks from interested employers for an interview.
While the eligibility criteria may vary for each organization, there are some standard requirements which are as follows:
According to the Government of Canada, International students need to meet the following eligibility criteria to participate in co-op programs:
One is not eligible for a co-op work permit if they have taken English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), general courses, or courses to prepare for another study program. This, however, doesn’t mean that they cannot work in Canada at all; in that case, they would simply have to apply separately for a work permit as well.
International students who possess a Canada study permit have the option to request a co-op work permit during their co-op courses in Canada. It is crucial to fulfill the necessary eligibility criteria to be qualified for this permit.
Not all
universities in Canada
offer co-op courses. Universities may find it difficult to adjust their course curricula with the co-op system and also find industry partners who are willing to hire co-op students in the work term. Here are the top universities for Co-op programs in Canada:
There are a number of excellent co-op colleges in Canada, giving students real-world work experience that will help them succeed once they graduate.
,
College Name | Popular Programs | Fee Structure |
George Brown College | Commerce, Sports, Human Resources, Digital Marketing, Marketing, Business Administration ( Finance, Accounting, etc.Degrees) | $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 |
There are several top co-op universities in Canada; these institutions are recognized for their exceptional co-op programs and their commitment to providing students with practical work experience that prepares them for successful careers after graduation.
University Name | Popular Programs | Fee Structure |
University of Waterloo | Arts, Health, Engineering, Environment, Math, Science | $745/year |
University of Victoria | 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 program- $1000/per term |
University of Alberta | Business, Engineering | – |
The application process begins months before the commencement of classes and is conducted over a period of time. Students must apply through the official websites of their respective universities.
Follow this process to complete your application process for universities offering co-op courses in Canada:
In Canada, co-op courses are more expensive than regular courses due to their emphasis on practical experience. These courses require separate tuition payments for study terms and work terms, providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their field of study.
The tuition fee to study abroad typically ranges from $500 to $700 (equivalent to INR 37334-52267), while the cost of a co-op program during work terms falls between $200 and $600 (equivalent to INR 14933-44801). It should be noted that during the work term, university services may still be utilized, thus resulting in a co-op fee. Additionally, international students should also take into account the
cost of living in Canada
.
Type of Expense | Average Cost |
Accommodation | ₹4.87- ₹6.8 lakhs per year |
Food and leisure | ₹7.5 lakhs per year |
Utilities | ₹60890 per year |
Travel | ₹21,230 per year |
Books and learning resources | ₹85,000- ₹1.27 lakhs per year |
In Canada, when you enroll in a co-op program, the competition for finding a placement during the work term extends to your entire class, making it a highly competitive environment. To secure a desirable co-op position, there are three strategies you can employ.
It is clear that even though it requires more organization and planning, co-op programs are worth considering as they offer the double incentive of gaining invaluable work experience and helping pay for school at the same time. It is arguably the best method to integrate academic knowledge with practical work experience. What is more, being a part of a co-op course allows students to create a network of potential future colleagues and employers.
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