Master of Engineering Okanagan

Applications for the 2024/2025 intake year will open in November. The application includes a short survey and resume submission. Applications for admission to the co-op program are accepted only once per year. 

You will be admitted into the Co-op Program if you:

• Meet the eligibility criteria
• Submit a complete application by the deadline
• Agree to the Graduate Terms and Conditions of the Co-op Program

All internships must start in September and meet the following criteria to receive co-op course credit: 

• Full-time: 35 to 40 hours per week 
• Length: 4, 8 or 12 months (minimum 12 weeks) 
• Paid: At least minimum wage
• Supervised: Supervised by an engineer, EIT, or other technical staff who provides regular supervision, feedback, and completes the end of term performance evaluation
• Relevant:  Technical and relevant to your academic program
• Location: If the position is based outside of Canada, the country where you will be working must be a low-risk destination as per Global Affairs Canada’s travel advisories.

International students are required to apply for a co-op work permit (in addition to holding a valid study permit) to legally work in Canada on a UBC-approved internship. After you are admitted into the Co-op Program, we will provide you with a letter for your co-op work permit application that confirms the internship is a requirement for your degree. 

All students accepted into the co-op program will participate in a pre-employment workshop designed to introduce you to essential career resources available within the program. This workshop will include interactive job search activities, discussions, and opportunities to learn industry-specific job search strategies and tips.   

The MEng Okanagan internship program has been purposely designed for you to start your internship in September, when the job search is less competitive, and you have completed your academic degree requirements. The internship you secure can be 4, 8 or 12 months in length, depending on the needs of the employer, and can only be with one organization (see Graduate Work Term Sequences). As your internship is at the end of your degree, employers may hire you for permanent, full-time positions upon completion of your internship, if mutually agreed upon. 

The co-op program mimics the real-world job search process. It’s competitive and a job is not guaranteed. Here’s how it works: 

1. Job Search: You review job descriptions on the co-op job board and apply for the positions that interest you. You are encouraged to also search for internship positions outside the co-op job board. Using multiple sources and job boards for job postings will increase your chances of securing an internship position.
2. Application Review: Employers review the applications and identify candidates who best match their job requirements.
3. Interviews: Selected candidates are invited for interviews.
4. Job Offer: After the interview, the employer decides which candidate to hire (if any) and extends an offer of employment to the successful candidate. 
5. Decision: The successful candidate must decide whether to accept or decline the offer within 2 business days.

Most jobs are open to international co-op/internship students; however, some positions, particularly those with the federal government, may be restricted to Canadian citizens due to security clearance or funding requirements.  

There are two types of fees associated with participation in the internship stream: 

• Co-op administration and workshop fee - The co-op administration and workshop fee is a one-time, non-refundable payment of $277.25 that is paid upon entry into the internship program and just prior to the pre-employment training workshops. Payment is made directly to the UBC Applied Science Co-op Office. Instructions on how to pay this fee will be provided by the Co-op Office. 
• Co-op course fee – The co-op course fee is $854.75 which is assessed only once you have secured an internship and are registered in the internship course by the Co-op Office. The co-op fee is required for every four months of your internship (ex. if you secure an 8-month internship, you will be charged the co-op fee twice over this time). The fee is due by the due dates specified in the Academic Calendar, whether the internship position is secured through the Co-op Program or through your own self-directed job search. The co-op course fee is paid directly via Workday like any other tuition fee payment. As you have paid the minimum three instalments for your Master of Engineering degree program, the only fee you will be required to pay is the Co-op course fee and your regular UBC student fees (ex. Athletics and Recreation Fee, Students’ Union Membership, Health & Dental, etc.).

All internship positions must be paid and meet the minimum wage requirements for the jurisdiction where the position is based. In British Columbia, the minimum wage is $17.40 (as of June 1, 2024). Unpaid work or work not meeting minimum wage requirements will not be eligible for the internship.

Most internship students earn more than the British Columbia or other provincial/territorial minimum wage. Please refer to our salary page for details on the typical salaries co-op students earn while on a work term. 

Upon successfully completing the pre-employment training workshops, you will receive a resume and cover letter review and can book mock interview appointments when you receive interview requests. You will have access to the Co-op Program’s exclusive co-op job portal with hundreds of internship opportunities to apply for and the resources provided by the Co-op team. Additionally, you are encouraged to attend weekly one-hour job search advising sessions led by a Co-op Career & Industry Partner, who can answer any questions you may have about your job search and provide guidance on job search strategies. 

During your internship you will be registered in a co-op work term course and are required to: 

• Work Full Time:  Fulfil the terms of your employment contract and learn as much as you can.
• Act Professionally: Respect the policies, procedures, confidentiality and proprietary information of your employer. 
• Establish Learning Objectives: Identify the skills, knowledge and insights you want to gain during the work term and strive to achieve them.
• Stay in Contact: Participate in a work term check-in midway through your work term with a Co-op Career Advisor and keep in touch with the Co-op Program for guidance and support. 
• Complete Assignment: Finish your internship assignment and submit it to the co-op work term Canvas course for grading. 
• Reflect on Experience: Reflect on the skills and knowledge you have developed during the work term and how they relate to your academic program and career goals. Complete the student evaluation of the work term. Review your supervisor’s assessment of your performance and areas of improvement identified in the employer evaluation of the work term. 
• Adhere to Terms and Conditions: Abide by the Graduate Terms and Conditions of the Co-op Program for the duration of your internship.