Applied Science’s Co-op Program for students in Master of Engineering (MEng) in CHBE, CIVL, EECE, GEOE, and MECH offers the opportunity to gain practical industry experience, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge, enhance technical skills, and build valuable connections while solving real-world challenges. If you’re interested in participating in the Co-op Program, please review the information below.
Application Process
1. Verify Your Eligibility
Master of Engineering students in the following disciplines who are starting their program in September and studying full-time are eligible to participate in the Co-op Program, provided they apply within the same year and term their program starts:
- Master of Engineering in Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Geological Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Please note: All students who submit a complete application by the deadline will be admitted to the program.
We encourage students from all backgrounds to apply, including Indigenous persons, members of visible minorities, person with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
If you need accommodations during the application process due to a disability or other systemic barriers, please reach out to us at apsc.coop@ubc.ca for support.
2. Submit Your Application
Applications for the 2026/2027 intake is now closed. Admission decisions will be released on September 21, 2026.
Link to Application: Closed
The application includes:
- Personal Information Questionnaire
- Quiz on the Co-op Program's Terms and Conditions
- Current resume (using the provided Co-op template)
Applications are accepted only once a year.
Dates and Deadlines for the 2026/2027 Academic Year
| August 5, 2026 (12:00 p.m. PT) | Application Opens
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| September 13, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PT) | Applications Due
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| September 21, 2026 | Admission Decisions Released
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| September 24, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PT) | Accept Your Admission Offer
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| September 28, 2026 | APSC 107 Begins
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| January 2027 | Begin Your Co-op Job Search
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| May 2027 | Start Your Work Term |
3. Begin Your Co-op Journey
Being in the Co-op Program gives you access to exclusive workshops, resources, and personalized support to guide your job search and transition into the workplace.
Your first step is completing APSC 107: Introduction to Applied Science Co-op. This course must be completed before you can access the co-op job board, apply for positions, or register a work experience. The Co-op Program will automatically register all newly admitted students in the course.
Information Sessions
Interested in learning more about the co-op program? Check out our Graduate Student FAQs or attend a virtual information session. Our Co-op Career Advisors will be available to answer your questions about the Applied Science Co-op Program. Registration is required.
| Date & Time | Location |
| Tuesday, September 1, 2026 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. PT | Virtual on Zoom Register here |
How Co-op Works
Co-op Work Term Criteria
Co-op work terms must meet the following criteria to receive co-op course credit:
- 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.
APSC 107: Introduction to Applied Science Co-op
All students admitted into the Co-op Program are required to complete APSC 107: Introduction to Applied Science Co-op before you can access the co-op job board, apply for positions, or register a work experience. The Co-op Program will automatically register all newly admitted students in the course.
APSC 107 is a zero-credit, pass/fail, self-paced course delivered through Canvas, that 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
Work / Study Sequence
Master of Engineering students are scheduled to begin their work term in May and complete a 4 or 8-month work term, depending on program length, before returning to finish their academic requirements. Students may be eligible to complete one or two consecutive work terms (i.e., 4 to 8 months total) with the same employer.
Job Search Expectations
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:
- Job Search: You review job descriptions on the co-op job board and apply for the positions that interest you. You are encouraged to search for positions outside the co-op job board as well. Using multiple sources and job boards for job postings will increase your chances of securing a position.
- Application Review: Employers review the applications and identify candidates who best match their job requirements.
- Interviews: Selected candidates are invited for interviews.
- Job Offer: After the interview, the employer decides which candidate to hire (if any) and extends an offer of employment to the successful candidate.
- 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 students; however, some positions, particularly those with the federal government, may be restricted to Canadian citizens only due to security clearance or funding requirements.
Co-op Program Fees
How much does it cost to participate in the co-op program?
There are two types of fees associated with participation in the internship Program: The Co-op administration and workshop fee, and the Co-op course fee. These fees are set by the UBC Board of Governors on an annual basis, are consistent across all UBC Co-op programs, and typically increase by 2% each year. Students pay the same fee regardless of their student status (i.e., domestic, international, undergraduate, or graduate).
- Co-op administration and workshop fee: This fee is a one-time, non-refundable payment of $288.25 due upon admission to the Co-op Program. This fee is paid directly to the Applied Science Co-op Program with payment instructions provided in the admissions offer email. This fee is waived for Indigenous students.
Co-op course fee: This fee of $889.00 is charged only after you secure a job, regardless of whether you secure your job through PD Portal or externally. The costs involved in running the Co-op Program, including guidance, monitoring, and support throughout your work term, are the same regardless of how you secure your job. This fee ensures you have access to and receive comprehensive support and valuable resources throughout your co-op experience.
Co-op students are full-time students while on a co-op work term, meaning you must also pay your UBC fees (e.g., Athletics & Recreation, Health & Dental, Student Society/Union Membership, U-Pass, etc.), in addition to the co-op course fee. Some student fees have opt-out provisions, and you must meet specified eligibility requirements to opt-out of a given fee. The full list of student fees is found in the Academic Calendar (Vancouver | Okanagan).
While on a co-op term, your regular M.Eng. tuition installment will be adjusted so that you are only required to pay the co-op course fee and your regular UBC student fees.
When do I pay my Co-op Course Fee?
The Co-op Course Fee is assessed for each four-month co-op work term you secure, with each work term tied to the corresponding academic term. For example, if you secure an 8-month position from May to December:
- Summer Work Term (May - August) - the Co-op Course Fee is split into two installments, aligning with the two academic terms in the Summer session - half in May (Term 1) and the remainder in July (Term 2).
- Fall Work Term (September - December) - the Co-op Course Fee is charged once in September for Term 1 of the Winter Session.
The Co-op Course Fee is paid through Workday like all other UBC tuition fee payments and must be paid by the due dates specified in the UBC Academic Calendar.
If you don't secure a work term, you are not registered in the co-op course and are not assessed the co-op course fee, and we'll continue to support you in securing your next scheduled work term.
Find out how your Co-op Course Fees are used by visiting our Co-op Fees page.
Co-op Wages
All co-op students must be appropriately compensated for their work. Students working in Canada and the United States are required to be paid at least minimum wage for their work location. For positions outside these countries, compensation should align with local labour laws and standard practices.
Most co-op students earn more than the British Columbia or other provincial/territorial minimum wage. For more co-op salary information, please refer to the monthly salary table for UBC Applied Science Co-op students working in Canada from January-December 2025.
Support and Resources
The Co-op Program provides a range of supports 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
- 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
- Apply to positions and track your progress
- Manage your co-op experience throughout the program
- Employer engagement opportunities, including industry panels and networking receptions
- Weekly one-hour job search advising sessions with a Co-op Career Advisor for expert guidance and job search strategies
- One-to-one appointments with Career Peer Coaches for personalized support
These supports are designed to help build your career confidence and gain meaningful work experience.
Co-op Course Requirements
During your work term 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 co-op 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 work term.
Employers
Our employer partners play a pivotal role in shaping your career journey by providing hands-on, real-world experience. You'll have the opportunity to work with leading organizations across various industries, where employers offer invaluable mentorship, industry insights, and practical skills that complement your academic studies. These positions are designed to challenge you, enhance your professional growth, and help you build a robust network within your field. Our employer partners are committed to supporting your development, ensuring that your co-op experience is both impactful and enriching as you prepare for your future career.
Top Employers
- BC Cancer Agency
- City of Surrey
- City of Vancouver
- EllisDon
- Metro Vancouver
- Synopsys
- Metro Vancouver
- Taseko Mines
- Transportation Investment Corp.
- WSP