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.

To learn how to search for jobs and book an appointment with your Co-op Career Advisor on PD Portal, please review The Complete Guide to PD Portal available on the Co-op Learning Resource Hub on Canvas.

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.

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 $288.25 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 $889.00 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.

Every student is assigned a dedicated Co-op Career Advisor who works alongside a team of advisors supporting students within the same or related disciplines

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 with an on-campus work authorization can complete co-op work terms in Canada.  

Effective April 1st, 2026 under new IRCC regulations, post-secondary international students no longer need to apply for separate Co-op Work Permit to participate in a student work placement that is required to complete their program of study. 

Once you are accepted into the Co-op Program, the Applied Science Co-op Office will provide the necessary documentation (such as the co-op student work placement confirmation letter) to verify your employment meets these updated IRCC requirements.

Note, some co-op student opportunities are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents due to security clearance or funding requirements.

If you have further questions about your study permit or work eligibility, please contact International Student Advising (Vancouver students) or the Global Engagement Office (Okanagan students).
 

Yes. Please visit the Indigenous Students webpage for tailored Co-op resources, program information, and supports available to Indigenous students. 

Indigenous Students webpage

Yes. To appeal, follow the instructions in your intake decision email. This typically involves emailing the Co-op Program by the stated deadline with a formal written appeal outlining your rationale. 

For more details, see the Co-op Program's Student Appeal Procedure.

Note: BDes students must have Class Standing 3 to apply.

Participating in the Co-op Program will extend your graduation date by one year. 

Co-op wages vary by field of study, year level, industry, and location. On average, undergraduate co-op students earn between $21 and $27 per hour.  

While co-op positions are paid, the primary goal is to gain relevant, hands-on work experience related to your academic program. Wages are set by the employer and may also reflect the cost of living in the job’s location.

For more details, see our recent salary statistics. 

Due to program capacity and high demand in some engineering disciplines, not all students can be admitted for a September start. If your offer indicates a January start, it means your admission has been deferred to the following term. You are still accepted into the Co-op Program, but you will begin participating in program requirements and activities in January instead of September.

To confirm your spot, you must pay the Co-op Administration & Workshop Fee by the deadline outlined in your offer. If the fee is not paid, your offer will be declined, and you will need to reapply for admission to the program in January. 

Please contact the Co-op Program team at apsc.coop@ubc.ca with the details of the position you’ve been offered. We will review your situation and discuss whether any options are available to support your participation. 

Yes. If you are a new transfer student from another institution with no UBC coursework, your UBC admissions average will be used to assess your eligibility for admission to Co-op. You must still meet the minimum 65% requirement.

Many students are eager to begin gaining work experience as soon as they are available which often means summer. Starting your first co-op term in the fall can offer several advantages:

• Less competition: fewer students typically search for fall co-op positions which can increase your chances of securing a role
• Increased preparation time: students have additional time during the summer to strengthen their co-op applications, prepare for interviews, and improve interview skills
• More balance during the school year: students whose first co-op is scheduled for the fall term can focus on academics and student clubs during the school year without also juggling the co-op job search
• Flexibility in the summer: students can use the summer to travel, pursue personal interests, volunteer, work a summer job or simply take time off before starting their early careers
• Reduce your course load: students can choose to take courses during the summer to help reduce a heavy academic workload during their academic career 

If payment is not received by the deadline, your offer of admission to the Co-op Program will be revoked.

Only payments received by 11:59 PM on the due date will be accepted. Payments received after this time will be refunded, and you will need to reapply to the program in a future term. 

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.

The Co-op Administration & Workshop Fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee paid upon admission to the Co-op Program. Payment instructions are provided in your admission offer email.  

This fee covers:  

• Creation of your co-op account on PD Portal
• Delivery of APSC 107: Introduction to Applied Science Co-op

The fee is waived for Indigenous students.

The Co-op Program provides a range of resources to help you prepare for your job search and succeed in securing a co-op position, including:

• Workshops to help you develop your resume, cover letter, and interview skills
• One-on-one advising with your assigned Co-op Career Advisor for personalized support and guidance
• Career toolkits with practical tips and templates
• VMock, an AI-powered resume feedback tool
• Access to PD Portal, the platform where you can:
  • View hundreds of job postings each term, including jobs exclusive to co-op students
  • Apply to positions and track your progress
  • Manage your co-op experience throughout the program
•  Employer engagement opportunities, including industry panels and networking receptions

These supports are designed to help build your career confidence and gain meaningful work experience. 

Admission decisions are released on the add/drop date for each term:

• September applicants: notified on the add/drop date for Winter Session Term 1 – September 21, 2026
• January applicants: notified on the add/drop date for Winter Session Term 2 – January 18, 2027

All applicants will be notified by email sent to the address listed in your Workday account. Please check your junk or spam folder. If you have not received an email, contact the Co-op Office at apsc.coop@ubc.ca.

A resume toolkit and template are provided within the application on Canvas to guide you in developing your resume.

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.

• August 31 for Winter work terms (January - April)
• December 31 for Summer work terms (May - August)
• April 30 for Fall work terms (September - December)

Bachelor of Applied Science co-op students must complete a minimum of four work terms including one work term in either Term 1 or Term 2 of the Winter Session to graduate with the co-op designation on their degree parchment

Bachelor of Design co-op students must complete a minimum of three work terms including one work term in either Term 1 or Term 2 of the Winter Session to graduate with the co-op designation on their degree parchment.

All second-year engineering co-op students are scheduled for five work terms within the standard degree timeline.

This allows flexibility. If you do not secure a position for one work term, you will still have four remaining, which meets the requirement to graduate with the Co-op designation. In this case, you focus on your next scheduled term and continue completing your remaining work terms.

Note: Students admitted to the Co-op Program in third year are only scheduled for four work terms instead.

Visit the Work Term Sequence page to view co-op sequence options. Choose your program from the list to see the available work term sequences.

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

Yes. While on a co-op work term you are considered a full-time student for eligibility for student loans and interest-free status.

For questions about student loans, grants, or awards, contact your Enrolment Services Advisor (ESA) in Vancouver or Enrolment Services Advising at UBC Okanagan. You can also visit StudentAid BC for more information. 

The work term recruitment period (job search) begins four months prior to the scheduled work term (e.g., the start of the summer job search officially 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 course is designed to be flexible, but you should plan to spend approximately 1-3 hours per week once the course begins completing modules and assignments.

Yes. APSC 107 is a required course for all newly admitted co-op students.  

This course must be completed before you can access the co-op job board, apply for positions, or register a work experience.

Visit the Work Term Schedule page to view co-op sequence options. Choose your program from the list to see the available work term sequences..

You will receive a fail grade on your transcript and will need to retake the course in a future term to participate in co-op.

A work term is a paid, full-time, supervised, industry or research experience that aligns with an academic term (e.g., September-December for a Fall term).  

Work term positions are posted on the Co-op Job Board or can be found independently. To receive co-op credit, the position must meet program requirements. Work terms are graded on a pass/fail basis and appear on your transcript. They typically range from 4 to 16 months, depending on employer needs and student availability.

APSC 107 is designed to help you succeed in both your co-op job search and your work term. In this course you will learn:  

• Job search strategies and employer research
• Resume and cover letter writing
• Interview skills
• Networking
• Professionalism in the workplace
• How to access and use co-op supports and resources

Additional course details:  

• A 10-week, online course delivered through Canvas
• Zero-credit, pass/fail, and does not affect your academic average
• Begins 3 months before your job search starts, in week 4 of the term
• Automatically registered in the course upon admission 

Once you secure a work term, the Co-op team will register you in the appropriate co-op course. The Co-op course fee and related student fees are assessed for each four-month work term at the same time as regular tuition.  

These fees are due by the tuition payment deadline for the term as outlined in the Academic Calendar, and fees are paid 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. 

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 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.

Yes. CIE is an academic exchange program specifically for students in the Faculty of Applied Science. If you are an engineering co-op student, you may substitute a CIE term for one of the four required co-op work terms toward your Co-op designation.  

Bachelor of Design students are only required to complete three work terms and are not eligible to count a CIE term toward Co-op standing.

However, you must still complete at least one co-op work term during the Winter Session (Term 1 or Term 2) and one during the Summer Session; your work terms cannot all be in the summer.

Full CIE program details are available here: Coordinated International Experience (CIE). Please speak with your Co-op Advisor to understand how CIE may impact your co-op plans and schedule.

Yes. Up to 12 months of co-op work may be eligible as work experience when applying for P.Eng. registration with EGBC, provided the work is relevant to your discipline and can be validated by a supervisor with direct knowledge of your work.  

For more information, visit the EGBC Competency Assessment page: competencyassessment.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 with at least one work term during the Winter Session (either Term 1 or Term 2) to graduate with the co-op designation noted on their degree parchment.

Bachelor of Design students must complete a minimum of three work terms completed over more than one academic term to graduate with the co-op designation on their degree parchment. 

If you do not secure a co-op position, you will not be registered in the co-op course and will not be assessed the co-op course fee. If you have remaining work terms in your co-op/academic schedule, you may continue in the program and job search for a future term. If you register in courses instead, you can return to classes and continue preparing for your next scheduled co-op work term.

No. As an accredited co‑op program, all work terms must be paid, so unpaid internships are not eligible for co‑op credit.

For work terms in Canada and the United States, students must be paid at least minimum wage for the work location.

For international work terms, compensation may take other forms, such as a stipend, scholarship, or provided room and board, depending on local labour laws, compensation norms, and workplace practices.

If you are unsure whether a position meets co-op requirements, please contact your Co-op Career Advisor.

Not securing a position can feel discouraging, but it is not a reflection of your worth or future potential. Many students need more than one recruiting cycle to find the right fit.

A great next step is to schedule an appointment with your Co-op Career Advisor or a Peer Advisor. They can help you:

• Strengthen your resume and application materials
• Practice interview skills
• Build a more effective job search strategy

We're here to support you and help you feel confident and prepared for your next work term.

No. Falling below the minimum average does not automatically result in removal from the Co-op Program.

Your academics should be your top priority. If you would like to pause or withdraw from the job search to focus on your studies, please contact your Co-op Career Advisor.

Possibly. If the position meets the minimum co-op requirements, such as being paid, supervised, and at least 35 hours per week, it may be eligible for co-op credit.

You'll need to share details of the role with your Co-op Career Advisor and explain:

• Why you're interested in the position
• How it supports your professional development

Your request will be reviewed, and you’ll be advised whether the position can be approved as a co-op work term.

An “F” on your transcript does not automatically prevent you from being hired. While some employers consider grades or require a minimum average, many focus more on your skills, projects, extracurricular involvement, and relevant work experience. Some employers may not request or review transcripts at all.

You are expected to respond to a co-op job offer within two business days, which is the standard timeline in the industry.

However, if the employer provides a specific deadline, you must respond within that timeframe. If no deadline is given, please follow the two-business-day guideline.

If we have not received your decision by the deadline, the Co-op Office will notify the employer, and they may choose to extend the offer to another student.

There are several supports available to help you feel confident and prepared.

1. Start with the Co-op Learning Resource Hub Review the Co-op Toolkits on the Hub for step-by-step guidance, templates, and tips on resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation, including the Student Interview Experience Database.
2. Meet with your Career Advisor If you have questions or would like personalized feedback on your application materials or assistance preparing for an upcoming interview, book an appointment with your Co-op Career Advisor.  
   • Log into PD Portal
   • Go to the Co-op tab --> Appointments with Co-op Career Advisors 
3. Connect with a Career Peer Coach Career Peer Coaches are fellow students who have completed co-op experiences. They can review your resume or cover letter, help you practice interview questions, and share practical tips and insights from their own experience. Book a Career Peer Coach appointment through PD Portal.  
   • Log into PD Portal
   • Go to the APSC Career Peer Coaches tab --> Peer Coach Appointments

You can decline a job offer. Once you receive an offer, whether it is verbal or written, you must respond within two business days to let the employer know if you are accepting or declining.

If you accept a job offer, you are expected to honour that commitment.

While declining an offer is allowed, please only apply to positions you would be prepared to accept.  

If you have any concerns about an interview or a job offer, reach out to your Co-op Career Advisor as soon as possible.

Yes. A verbal offer is considered a formal offer of employment. If you accept it, the employer will typically follow up with a written offer outlining the details. It’s important to treat a verbal acceptance as a commitment. Once you’ve accepted, you are expected to honour that decision.

Whether a position is found through the co-op job board or sourced independently, all co-op experiences must meet the following criteria:

• Paid Position
  • In Canada and the United States, roles must pay at least the minimum wage for the applicable jurisdiction.
  • For international roles, compensation is assessed on a case-by-case basis due to differences in local labour laws, compensation norms, and workplace culture.
• Minimum Work Term Duration
  • The position must total at least 420 hours within a single work term.
  • This is equivalent to 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work (35 hours per week).
• Relevant Technical Experience
  • The work must involve technical tasks aligned with your academic program and career development.
  • If you are unsure whether a role qualifies, consult your Co-op Career Advisor.
• Supervision
  • The role must include appropriate supervision to support your learning and professional development.
• International Work (if applicable)
  • For roles outside of Canada, the work location must be in a “low risk” destination according to the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories.
     

You can access your unofficial transcript on PD Portal. There is no need to order an official transcript unless a job posting specifically requests it.

To find it:

• Go to the Documents tab on your dashboard, or
• Select “My Documents” under Co-op in the left sidebar

You can download the transcript for external applications or include it directly in applications within the portal. Transcripts are updated twice weekly, starting in the last week of the academic term (e.g., April) and continuing through the first month of the next term (e.g., May) to capture late grade submissions and changes.

• Reviewed and accepted the Terms and Conditions, and 
• Selected your Intention for the upcoming work term

• Undergraduate students may take one course per work term, as long as it is outside scheduled work hours.
• To take a course that conflicts with work hours or to take more than one course, you must obtain written permission from your supervisor and your Co‑op Career Advisor.
  • Permissions from your Co‑op Career Advisor is requested through the Course Approval Form on the PD Portal dashboard

Important considerations:

• Your primary focus during a co‑op term is gaining work experience, so taking courses requires strong time management.
• Regular attendance is mandatory for all course components (lectures, labs, tutorials, etc.).
• Co-op work commitments cannot be used to miss classes or academic requirements.
• Failure to meet course expectations may result in academic consequences, including exclusion from final exams, in accordance with university regulations. 

If you're unsure, speak with your Co‑op Career Advisor before enrolling.

You do not need to enroll yourself. The Co-op Office will register you in the appropriate work term course once your co-op position is confirmed.

The co-op course fee is charged for each 4‑month work term and will be added to your UBC account after registration. You pay this fee using the same methods as your regular tuition.

For current fee details, refer to the UBC Calendar (Vancouver | Okanagan).

If you have any concerns about your workplace experience, contact a Co-op Career Advisor immediately for support. 

Yes. While you are on a co-op work term, you are considered a full-time student for student loan purposes. This means you may remain eligible for student loan or grant assistance and for interest-free status on your existing loans.

If you have questions about your specific eligibility or funding, contact your Enrolment Services Advisor (ESA) in Vancouver or Enrolment Services Advising at UBC Okanagan. You can also visit the StudentAid BC website for more information.

If your co-op work term is outside Metro Vancouver, you may be eligible for a Regular U-Pass BC exemption.

• Apply through: Workday
• Deadline: The same as the course withdrawal deadline without a W standing

You may also be eligible for the AMS U-Pass BC exemption

• Apply through: AMS
• Deadline: The same as the course withdrawal deadline without a W standing

For details about the U-Pass BC program and Compass Card, see UBC Campus + Community Planning.

No. The U-Pass BC (TransLink / Compass Card) is only available to eligible UBC Vancouver students. UBC Okanagan students have a separate U-Pass program administered by the Students’ Union UBC Okanagan (SUO), in partnership with BC Transit, which uses the UMO card.

If your co-op work term is outside the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, you may be eligible for a U-PASS exemption.  UBC Okanagan students are only automatically assessed U-PASS fee during the Fall/Winter terms. Exceptions are not available for the Summer terms.

• Apply through: SUO
• Deadline: September 23, 2026, at 4:00 pm
• Additional notes: Exemption requests are only received in September of each year for the current Winter Session.  

For details about the U-PASS program and UMO Card, visit the Students’ Union UBC Okanagan.  

A Work Term Check-in is a mid-term review with your Co-op Advisor to discuss your progress, learning, and any concerns. It typically takes place halfway through each four-month work term and may be conducted as a short video meeting or an online form.

For more details, including timing, scheduling, and format, visit the Work Term Check-ins page on the Co-op Learning Resource Hub. 

Details about work term deliverables, such as learning objectives, assignments, check-ins, and final evaluations, are available in the Work Term Checklist in the Co-op Learning Resource Hub.  

You will also receive guidance and reminders from the Co-op Office and your Co-op Career Advisor throughout your work term.