You can only apply to the UBC Sauder Co-op Program during the intake period, which occurs once a year in September.

As part of the accreditation standards under CEWIL Canada, pre-employment workshops are hosted by the Co-op team from January to April. This programming structure only allows for one intake period in the calendar year. If you miss the intake period, you can apply again the following year if you still meet all eligibility requirements. No exceptions will be made.

You cannot apply to Co-op positions as a non-Co-op student; however, you are welcome to apply for internships in the summer. If you would like to apply to Co-op positions, you must be admitted into the Co-op Program. See how to apply here.

Students who are not enrolled in the Co-op program cannot apply to jobs requiring Co-op student standing. If the job is posted for Co-op students, it is likely that you will not be able to accept the offer. Employers who specifically hire Co-op students often receive funding that requires the student to be enrolled in an accredited Co-op program. Also, students working specifically in the January or September term must be enrolled in the Co-op program to maintain full-time student status.

Please let the employer know immediately and discuss whether an accommodation can be made for your particular case.

As of April 1, 2026, international students enrolled in the Co-op program no longer need a separate work permit to participate in a Co-op work term that is required as part of their academic program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Students must still meet Co-op-specific requirements, such as full-time student enrolment, a valid study permit with work authorization, and Co-op program registration.

Click here for more information.

If you are an international student, you will not be eligible to work full-time during the school year without registration in the Co-op program. Outside of Co-op, off-campus work is limited to 24 hours per week during the school year, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. See here to view the work you are eligible for with your study permit.

If you are a domestic student, working off-campus and full-time during the year as a non-Co-op student may lead to losing your full-time student status. There are complications to losing this status and it is recommended you contact an OSAS Academic Advisor to understand your individual case.

There are commitments and considerations that require students to be registered as a full-time student to maintain eligibility (e.g., student loans, scholarships, housing, study permit, U-Pass, etc.). If you are an international student, you must be enrolled as a full-time student for immigration purposes; Co-op program registration allows you to work while retaining full-time student status. 

Find out more here. If you have any questions about full-time student status, please contact an OSAS Academic Advisor.

Yes, we have many Co-op students who go on exchange for an academic term, while in the Co-op Program! You can also still apply to the Co-op program with an exchange term lined up. Speak to your Co-op Manager about your Co-op work and study plan and connect with representatives from Go Global to learn more.

You are not required to apply to both Co-op programs. You may choose which Co-op program is the best fit for you depending on the types of roles you interested in. Science Co-op offers more technical roles (e.g., Software Engineering, Software Development, etc.) while Sauder Co-op provides more business-related roles (e.g., Analyst, Technology Consulting, etc.). 

That being said, some students do choose to apply to both Co-op programs. If you are admitted into both, you can select the program that is the best fit for you depending on the roles you want to pursue. Science Co-op typically has intake periods that are later than Sauder’s. This means you may need to decide on Sauder’s offer of admission before knowing the results of your Science Co-op offer of admission.

If you are in Science Co-op already as a BUCS student and would like to join Sauder Co-op, contact your Co-op Manager for next steps. You will be able to apply to the Sauder Co-op program in a shortened and more expedited process once a year in the Fall.

No. As a Co-op student, you are responsible for your own job search in order to find employment during your time in the Co-op program.

The Co-op team and the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre work with local, national, and international employers to post valuable jobs with a variety of growth opportunities for Co-op students. You will be able to apply for these opportunities on COOL, our online job portal, or do your own self-directed job search. You will also be supported by the Co-op team before, during, and after your search.

Please note that some companies use the word “Co-op” and “internship” interchangeably; however, Co-op terms can take place throughout the year while internships typically take place in summer. See the Why Co-op? web page for more details on the differences between Co-op and Internships.

Students on a Co-op work term are registered into a Co-op course, which allows you to maintain full-time student status that term. However, Co-op courses are non-academic credits that do not count towards graduation. A Co-op work term does not replace or add academic course credits for that term.

Co-op courses are Pass/Fail only. You must complete all work term deliverables on time in order to pass the course. This includes:

• Submitting your work term learning objectives
• Completing a site visit with your Co-op Manager
• Submitting a high quality end of term Work Term Report, Program Evaluation, Self Evaluation, and updated resume
• Having your supervisor complete their Employer Evaluation

No. Only full-time positions that are a minimum of 420 hours can count for Co-op (e.g., 35 hours per week for 12 weeks or any other combination of the required hours in the 4-month work term period).

You would not be able to count past internships as a Co-op work term. All Co-op work terms must be completed after your admission into the program.

Our students are welcome to explore opportunities outside of Canada for their Co-op work terms. If you do so, be mindful that there might be regulations outside of our control that may preclude you from doing your Co-op work term in a specific country. Before you apply for a role in a foreign jurisdiction, it is important to do basic research of the required documents to submit and conditions for you to work there. One example is France, where all internships and Co-op work terms require “convention de stage”, which is currently not a document that UBC Sauder provides to our students.

In addition to University of British Columbia fees, students are required to pay fees associated with the UBC Sauder Co-op program:

• Co-op students pay a one-time workshop and administration fee, payable upon acceptance into the UBC Sauder Co-op Program
• Course tuition fees are paid during each Co-op work term, payable to UBC
  
  

  UBC Sauder Co-op Fees	Co-op Fees (Per Term)	Total Amount
  Workshop and Administration Fee	$288.25*x 1 terms	$288.25
  Co-op Course Fee	$889.00*x 3 terms	$2,667.00

  *These fees are for 2026-27, and are subject to change, as per UBC tuition guidelines

• Each time you participate in a Co-op work term, you will be registered in a Co-op work term course (COMM 380/381/480 or 481) and pay the course tuition fees
• Registration in the Co-op work term course is mandatory and maintains your full-time student status with UBC
• You will receive non-academic credits per Co-op work term course. Co-op work term courses do not count towards your academic degree requirements

This is not a job placement fee. These fees help us to offset the costs of running the Co-op program and allow us to offer services that help students throughout their journey, including:

• Advising and preparing you for your Co-op work terms through mandatory pre-employment workshops, networking events, mock interviews, and more
• One-on-one office hours for assistance during your job searches with our Co-op Career Strategists
• Support provided before and during your work term, such as site visits, newsletters, job recommendation emails, directory of past Co-ops and hiring timelines
• Building relationships with reputable employers who post new and recurring positions with the program

• International students pay the same amount as domestic students, and with a Co-op work permit, you can work full-time year-round
• Tuition is reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors. In recent years, tuition increases have been 2% annually
• Visit the UBC Calendar for the latest fee information
• If you have any questions about fees please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor

For details about student loans or your scholarship status while in the Co-op program, see special circumstances for students receiving awards.