Want to be career ready when you graduate?

Two students in business clothes shake hands and smile

Earn your degree and up to $137,000 through the world's leading co-op program!

Study. Work. Repeat.

  • Co-op at Waterloo is your opportunity to test out different careers before you graduate! 
  • Try four to six different jobs by alternating between school and work every four months.
  • Work for a variety of employers or return to the same employer to gain greater responsibility. Whatever you choose, your dedicated co-op advisor will support you every step of the way.
96% of our co-op grads employed six months after graduation find jobs related to skills they acquired at Waterloo, compared to 83% of all university graduates in Ontario Ontario University Graduate Survey
8,000 employers Access North America's largest selection of co-op jobs and experiences for university students. Find a job in Canada or abroad!
97th in the world As ranked by more than 55,000 researchers and scholars from around the globe. Times Higher Education’s (THE) World Reputation Rankings for 2025

Student stories

Saskia smiles for a portrait indoors

As a marketer for a digital agency, Saskria focused on creative marketing BMW North America. Her experience creating a new logo and identity for a design team at Waterloo helped her enhance BMW's brand.

Luke smiles while wearing a hoodie outside

At the Canadian Space Agency, Luke contributed to astro material curation in anticipation of receiving an asteroid sample from NASA – making Canada the third country in the world to have one.

Student holding a small goat

Mechanical Engineering student Aryaman spent four months working with Avani Kuamon, a non-profit in Uttarakhand, India, that aims to improve the livelihood of rural communities.

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About the University of Waterloo

  • Canada's #1 comprehensive research university (Resource InfoSource 2024)
  • Among the top 8% of universities globally (Times Higher Education World University Reputation Rankings 2024)
  • North America's largest selection of co-op jobs and experiences for university students
  • Most innovative university in Canada for 30 of the last 33 years (Maclean's national university rankings 2025)
  • Ranked #18 globally for startup founders (Pitchbook rankings 2025)
Co-op has given me direction and confidence. I would have felt clueless upon graduation, but now I know what kind of career I want – plus work experience from five co-op terms that sets me apart. Miila, fourth-year Planning student
In co-op, you get to make and improve from mistakes, learn practical knowledge, and work for a variety of companies. The diversity and practical experience are undeniable competitive edges when I start my career. Sanjeevani, fourth-year Mechatronics Engineering student
Before I started co-op, I had no relevant experience in my field. Through co-op, I've been able to create employer connections, build my résumé, and greatly improve my interview skills! Taryn, fourth-year Therapeutic Recreation student

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