The University of Waterloo was the first university to offer the co-op system of study and today over 50% of our full-time undergraduate students participate in co-op. Our partnerships with business and industry are anchored in the world's largest collection of co-op programs, with connections to over 3,500 employers. In most Science programs, you can choose between the regular or co-op system of study, with a few exceptions. Our Biotechnology/Chartered Accountancy and Biotechnology/Economics programs are offered through the co-op system of study only. Our Honours Science, Biomedical Sciences and Science and Aviation programs are offered through the regular system of study only.
Whether you're in the co-op or regular system, you'll learn from the same dynamic professors and take the same required courses. About half of our first-year science students are in regular and half are in co-op.
The regular system provides continuity
- study from September to April each year
- plan your own summers to work, volunteer, or travel
- focus on your academic, campus, and personal life
- graduate a year sooner than a co-op program
- move more quickly into a career or graduate studies
- access over 1,200 on-campus, part-time job opportunities through our Department of Co-operative Education & Career Action
The co-op system provides on-the-job experience
- graduate with up to 2 years of relevant and diverse work experience
- discover the range of available careers within your field
- earn a salary to help finance your education
- network and gain experience with different types of employers
- develop a competitive career edge and valuable skills before you graduate
- apply science concepts from the classroom in real-world settings
Co-op work and study schedule
As a science student, your first work term begins in the 2nd term of 2nd year. Students who participate in the co-op system of study will alternate four-month terms at university with four-month terms at work in business, industry, or government. Most programs have 5 work terms, with the first work term starting in second year, and take just under 5 years to complete. When you're finished your degree, you'll have the same number of academic terms as a regular student, plus up to 2 years of work experience, depending on your program. Refer to the chart below for details about your specific science program.
Co-op work and study terms
| Faculty of Science program |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
| |
F W Sp |
F W Sp |
F W Sp |
F W Sp |
F W Sp |
| Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computational Science, Biotechnology/Economics, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Science and Business |
S S O |
S W S |
W S W |
S W W |
S S --- |
| Biotechnology/Chartered Accountanc |
S S O |
S W S |
S W W |
S S W |
S --- --- |
| Physics |
S S O |
S W S |
W W S |
W S W |
S S --- |
| Psychology |
S S O |
S S W |
S W S |
W S W |
S --- --- |
F = Fall term (September - December)
W = Winter term (January - April)
Sp = Spring term (May - August)
S = Study W = Work O = Off
Support for you
The Department of Co-operative Education & Career Action will work with you to develop your resume, polish your interview skills, and help you with your job search. Before your first work term even begins, you will complete Co-op 101, a workshop designed to show you the ropes of the co-op system. Over the past 6 works terms, science students have posted a 97%-100% employment rate, so your chances of securing employment are excellent. Average weekly salaries vary with the level of education and experience - visit the co-op website to see a list of average earnings for Waterloo co-op students from various programs and faculties.
For recent examples of co-op jobs, please go to the Program Information section of the program(s) you have been admitted to.
International visa students
As an international student in co-op, you will need to complete required applications before arriving on campus as well as throughout your studies at Waterloo:
- To study in Canada, you must apply for a Study Permit through a Canadian embassy, consulate, or high commission in your home country. The cost to apply for a Study Permit is $125 CAD. Visit the Citizenship and Immigration website for more information.
- You will also have to apply for a Work Permit once you have arrived at the University of Waterloo. We will help you with this process and will request that the length of your work permit continue for the duration of your studies here. To help you obtain your Work Permit for your 5 years of study at Waterloo, we suggest that you renew your passport prior to coming to Waterloo. If you passport expires during your studies, you will have to reapply for a second Work Permit. The cost of each temporary Work Permit is $50 CAD.
- As an international student studying in Canada, you are required to secure appropriate health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay. The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is mandatory for all international students. The cost of UHIP coverage per 4-month term is currently $228.00 CAD. You must have UHIP covergae during both academic and work terms. To have health coverage during your work terms, you will have to apply for 2 terms of UHIP coverage during your academic term. Once you arrive on campus, you can visit the International Student Office to apply for UHIP.
