Undergraduate FAQ

You are still eligible for student housing while on a co-op work term. If you need to relocate for your work term, and you will no longer need student housing for this time, you may be able to opt-out/sublet your housing for that term. Please contact UBC Student Housing Vancouver or UBC Student Housing Okanagan for more information. 

Unfortunately at this time AIBC is will not recognize hours completed by undergraduates who complete hours during their degree toward certification.

Yes, you may be able to use up to 12 months of co-op work experience toward the four-year work experience requirement leading to registration as a professional Engineer (P.Eng). It is a good idea to keep a log of the type of work you have been doing during your work term. This can help you remember what you did and how your Co-op activities fulfill Engineers and Geoscientists BC required competencies leading to the P.Eng. (Or for the professional association of another Canadian province or territory).

Please review the Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Competency Experience Reporting System for a better idea of the requirements. If you will be pursuing a P.Eng. in another province, go to that province’s professional association for engineers’ website for reporting requirements.

If you wish to withdraw from the program, you should first meet with your Co-op Career Advisor. You must complete and submit the Co-op Program Withdrawal Request form on PD Portal. The withdrawal request will be reviewed by your Co-op Advisor and processed by the Co-op Program.

The deadlines for withdrawing from the Co-op program are:

• For Winter work term (January to April) – by August 31st
• For Summer work term (May to August) – by December 31st
• For Fall work term (September to December) – by April 30th

Ensure to review the withdrawal policies outlined in Section 11 of the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions before submitting your withdrawal request. Meet with your Co-op Career Advisor if you have any questions or extenuating circumstances.

If you have any questions regarding your co-op work permit application, its status, or how to renew your co-op work permit, please contact International Student Advising. You are encouraged to check the International Student Advising FAQ website prior to contacting them.

Access our PD Portal guide to learn more about the platform.

There are two types of fees associated with participation in the co-op program:  

• Co-op administration and workshop fee: This fee is a one-time non-refundable payment of $277.25 that is paid upon admission to the co-op program. It covers the cost of processing your application to co-op, creating your account on the co-op program’s exclusive online career portal, PD Portal, and delivery of the pre-employment training workshops.  
• Co-op course fee: This fee is $854.75 and is only charged after you secure a job and are registered in the co-op work term course. Registration in the co-op work term course allows you to maintain full-time student status while on your work term. This fee is charged for each 4-month co-op work term secured.

In addition to the co-op fees, there is also the standard student and university fees assessed by UBC for all students for the academic term. University fees increase slightly each year, please refer to the UBC Academic Calendar (Vancouver/Okanagan) for the most current Program and Course Fees.

Each academic discipline has a dedicated Co-op Career Advisor team, and every student is assigned a Co-op Career Advisor. To find your Co-op Career Advisor, check the Co-op tab on PD Portal, under your Co-op Record. Find your Advisors’ contact details here.

Yes. International students holding a valid study permit, and a valid co-op/internship work permit can complete co-op work terms in Canada. Note, some co-op student opportunities are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents due to security clearance or funding requirements.  

To apply for a co-op work permit, international students admitted to the Co-op Program will receive a studentship letter after admission to the Program. The co-op studentship letter is a required component to the work permit application as it confirms that co-op work experience is essential to completing your degree program. The co-op work permit application must be completed from within Canada. 

The co-op studentship letter and further information on applying for the co-op work permit will be provided after you are accepted into the Co-op Program. International students must hold a valid co-op work permit before commencing employment and throughout the work term.
 

Yes! Please see the webpage for Indigenous Students. 

Indigenous Students webpage

If you wish to appeal your admission decision, the first step is to follow the instructions you received in your intake decision email, which is to email the Co-op Office about your application result by the stated deadline. You can find more information about the UBC Applied Science Co-op Program’s Student Appeal Procedure here.

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 4th 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.

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.

All applicants will be notified by email on an anticipated date of September 26, 2024. 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 Sept 27, 2024 at 12 pm, please contact our front desk at apsc.coop@ubc.ca.

A resume toolkit, template, and annotated template are provided as part of the application process on Canvas. All the information needed to create a competitive application is outlined on Canvas.

No. As a nationally accredited co-op program, co-op students must end their degree on a study/academic term and cannot end their degree on a work term. Accredited co-op programs begin and end with an academic term. The alternating or sandwiching work terms allows for the integration between workplace and academic learning, analysis of the work experience, reflection on career or degree path, and time to prepare for post degree employment.

Each discipline has one or more  pre-approved sequences, which you will select from when you are admitted to the Co-op Program. If you need to adjust your schedule at a later time, you need to consult with your academic advisor to ensure your new proposed schedule aligns with course availability and your academic goals.  

As some academic courses are only offered once per year (either Term 1 or Term 2), changing your co-op/academic schedule could result in missing prerequisites, potentially extending your program and delaying graduation

Before submitting a sequence change request, be sure to confirm with your  academic advisor whether your plan fits with your academic requirements and future schedule; and speak with your Co-op Advisor to ensure the proposed schedule meets your co-op goals.

In order to graduate with the Co-op designation on your degree parchment, undergraduate students must successfully complete four co-op work terms from at least two different academic terms (e.g., three summer work terms and one fall work term or two summer work terms, one fall work term, and one winter work term, etc.)

All undergraduate engineering co-op streams are schedule the maximum number of work terms – five – within the typical degree schedule. If you do not secure a position for one work term, you then have four work terms remaining in your schedule, which is enough to meet the eligibility for graduating with the Co-op designation on your degree parchment (See Section 10 of the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions). If you are unable to secure a work term, you will simply move on to the next scheduled term and then complete the remaining work terms. The exception to this is for 3rd Year entry students who are scheduled for four work terms, upon admission to the Co-op Program.

You can find Co-op sequence options at the Work Term Schedule page. Use program filter to see all the options available for you.

The maximum of number of work terms undergraduate students can complete is six (6).

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 mandatory workshops are ineligible to proceed in the Program.

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 Co-op Administration and Workshop Fee is paid online, directly to the Applied Science Co-op Program (not through Workday Student) 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.

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.

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. These workshops will take place in October and November for accepted students.

A work term is a paid, full-time, 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 term positions are posted on the Co-op Job Board and can also be found on external systems and/or through your individual efforts and personal network. A work tern can be used for co-op credit as long as the experience meets the co-op work term criteria.  Work terms are evaluated on a pass/fail basis and documented on your 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.

When you secure a work term position, the Co-op team will register you in the appropriate co-op course for the work term. The Co-op course fee and related student fees are assessed for each registered 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 (Vancouver/Okanagan) and payment is made through your Workday account, like any other UBC course or program. The Co-op course fee is the same for both international and domestic students.

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.

No. Securing a job is a competitive process and there is no guarantee of obtaining a position. It’s essential for students to be committed and put significant efforts into their job search and applications. As a co-op student, you have access to the co-op job portal and the support of the Co-op Career team, but success depends on your dedication. The more positions you apply for, more people you connect with, and more open-minded you are about possible experiences, the higher the chances of securing a position. We are here to guide you through the process with pre-employment workshops, individual appointments, and 1:1 coaching – from your first job search to your final work term.

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. For international students studying at UBC, it also can be an opportunity to leverage networks from your home region and return for one or more work terms.

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 for international opportunities and to work internationally.

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 career fairs, attending company information sessions, events of interest (e.g. professional association events, Hackathons), and your personal connections. Positions eligible for co-op work term credit can be sourced from the Co-op job board or through individual efforts (beyond the job board) if the position is paid, full-time, supervised, industry and/or research employment experience. Meet with your Co-op Career Advisor to discuss and develop your job search strategy and/or discuss a lead you may have on a job.

CIE is an academic exchange program specifically for students in the Faculty of Applied Science. It is an international experiential opportunity for students which we support by providing the opportunity to integrate a CIE term in your plans to graduate with the Co-op designation on your degree. As a co-op student, you are eligible to substitute a CIE term for a co-op work term to count towards one of the four work terms required for Co-op standing. Full CIE program details are available here: Coordinated International Experience (CIE). Ensure you speak with your Co-op Advisor about how CIE may impact your co-op career plans and schedule.

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).

No. Co-op opportunities are available in numerous geographic regions, industries, and organizations. As British Columbia is home to UBC’s campuses, many co-op opportunities are in British Columbia and Alberta as the closest regions, but opportunities are available across Canada, in the USA and globally. Students can seek out and secure opportunities in any geographic region of interest and we encourage students to be ‘geographically flexible’ to increase opportunities and success in securing relevant experience.

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.

You will not be registered for the work term and, if you have work terms remaining in your co-op/academic schedule, you will continue in the Co-op program. If you have registered for courses for what was to be the work term, you may return to classes and be able to job search for your next scheduled co-op work term.

As a nationally accredited co-op program, each work term must be remunerated. Unpaid internships are ineligible for co-op work term credit. Contact your Co-op Career Advisor if you have any questions regarding eligibility of a job (including remuneration).

Please schedule an appointment with your Co-op Career Advisor or a Peer Advisor to discuss. We are here to assist you for your future success.

If the position meets the minimum Co-op requirements (i.e. minimum 35 hours per week (or equivalent), paid, supervised) it may be eligible for credit for a co-op work term. You will need to provide details to your Co-op Career Advisor and outline why you are interested in the position and how it fits your professional development. Your request will be reviewed and you will be advised if it will be eligible for a co-op work term.

You have two (2) business days to accept or decline an offer. After two business days, the Co-op office must notify the employer of your decision. After this time the employer may then extend the offer to another student

While some employers pay attention to student’s grades, and in some cases require a minimum academic average to qualify for a job (e.g. NSERC), having an “F” on your transcript does not directly affect your hireability. Many employers focus on your skills demonstrated through your projects, extracurricular activities, and relevant work experiences in addition to your academic courses.

Employers do not have access to your work term sequence/schedule as posted in the PD Portal; therefore, they do not know your work term sequence history.

A verbal offer is a formal offer of employment, once an employer receives confirmation that you have accepted their offer, they will then issue a written offer. You are expected to honour any offer you accept.

1. Must be renumerated
2. Have a minimum of 420 hours in a single work term; which is equivalent to 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work (at 35 hours/week)
3. Be technical work experience related to your career development - if unsure speak with your Co-op Advisor
    

As an accredited co-op program, each work term needs to be a minimum of 420 hours; which is equivalent to 12 consecutive weeks of full-time, remunerated employment or equivalent. Please contact your Co-op Career Advisor for confirmation.

The Co-op Office provides an unofficial transcript for you on PD Portal. You do not need to order an official transcript from the university, unless it is specifically requested within the job posting. To access your transcript on PD Portal, click on the Documents tab from the dashboard or on “My Documents” under Co-op on the left sidebar. You can download your transcript for applications outside of the portal or it will be an available option for your application packages when applying within the portal. After each academic term, an updated transcript will be available as soon as possible, which may take 2 – 3 weeks following the completion of the term.

Undergraduate students may take one academic course per work term if it is offered outside of their scheduled work hours. If the course conflicts with work hours, or if you wish to take more than one course per term, you must obtain written permission from both your supervisor and Co-op Career Advisor. Completing academic courses on top of your job responsibilities and co-op requirements is only recommended with careful time management - the primary student goal during a work term is gaining valuable technical experience, and students are expected to give full attention to their work. Should you choose to take a course during a work term, consider the accommodations that will need to be made to meet course requirements (Is in-person attendance required? Is the course in condensed summer format?). Speak with your Co-op Career Advisor if you'd like to further discuss this decision.

You do not enroll in the Co-op work term course. The Co-op office will enroll students in the appropriate course once you have a confirmed co-op position. The Co-op course fee, which is paid for each 4-month work term, is applied to your UBC account upon registration. The Co-op work term fees are paid to UBC in the same method as your other tuition fees. For current fee information, please visit the UBC Calendar.

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 Student Services at UBC Okanagan. You can also visit BC Student Aid for student loan details.

Applications for U-Pass Exemptions are done through Workday. The exemption application deadline is the same as the withdrawal date without W standing for your courses. For more information about U-Pass/Compass Card, please at UBC Planning.

For Okanagan Students the Opt-out request can be found here: https://www.ubcsuo.ca/u-pass-opt-out

You can find all important work term due dates at the following links.

• Undergraduate Work Term Checklist
• Graduate Work Term Checklist