Master of Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

All MEng NAME students starting their program in September are eligible to participate in the Co-op Program. 

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

All internships typically start in May or June and meet the following criteria to receive internship course credit: 

• Full-time: 35 to 40 hours per week 
• Length: 10 to 16 weeks
• Paid: Internships can be unpaid or low pay, but remuneration that meets at least minimum wage is strongly preferred
• 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.   

Normally students are required to pay a one-time Co-op Workshop & Administration Fee upon acceptance into the program. MEng NAME co-op students are not required to pay this fee as it is paid by the MEng NAME program. This fee 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.

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 will review job descriptions on the co-op job board and apply for the positions that interest you. In addition, all NAME students are encouraged to conduct a directed search for marine engineering and shipbuilding organizations, companies, and positions of interest beyond those posted on the job board. Using multiple sources and job boards for internships 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: Candidates selected by the employer 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. 

All internship positions are typically paid positions and meet the minimum wage requirements for the jurisdiction where the internship position is based. In British Columbia, the minimum wage is $17.40 (as of June 1, 2024). Wages can vary widely depending on the industry, prior experience, and the level of responsibility of the position.

Most internship students earn more than the minimum wage set by British Columbia or other provinces/territories. For more information on typical co-op student salaries during work terms, please visit our salary page on the UBC Applied Science Co-op Program’s website.

After successful completion of the pre-employment training workshops, you will receive a resume and cover letter review and can schedule mock interviews when you receive interview requests. 

All graduate co-op/internship students are encouraged to attend the scheduled one-hour job search advising and FAQ sessions facilitated by a Co-op Career & Industry Partner. The Advisor will answer your questions and provide guidance on the internship job search. 

During your internship you will be registered in the internship course, NAME 592, 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 your Co-op Career Advisor and NAME Program Advisor and keep in touch with your Co-op Career Advisor for guidance and support. 
• Complete Assignment & Presentation: Finish your internship assignment and submit it to your NAME faculty advisor for grading. At the end of summer, NAME students typically also deliver a brief presentation on their internship experience or technical project to NAME faculty and classmates.
• 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.