Co-operative education

Get ahead of the competition with experiences that can help you define your future. Waterloo is a global leader in co-operative education. You can explore potential careers, build your network, and master new skills through up to two years of work experience – plus you’ll earn dollars that will go a long way to help cover the costs of tuition, books, housing, and anything else you need.

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Benefits of co-op

  • Gain two years of paid work experience with 4-6 four-month co-op work terms to grow your resume.
  • Develop your professional skills by trying new experiences in different roles at different companies.
  • Build your networks to find your career after graduation by connecting with employers.
  • Earn an average of between $55,000 and $85,000 CAD to help fund your studies.
  • Travel the world with co-op opportunities across the globe.

Sample co-op jobs

You will get the opportunity to try different career paths to find what inspires and interests you. Typical co-op jobs for math students include:

  • Data scientist
  • Risk Analyst
  • Software developer
  • Actuarial analyst
  • Project manager
  • Financial analyst

Full sample jobs list

The Centre for Career Development is available to help you prepare your résumé, develop your interview skills and navigate your career path. Schedule an appointment with a career or student advisor to improve your job search.

Co-op advisors in the Faculty of Mathematics can assist you with your co-op plan and sequence. You can find answers to some of the common questions asked by Math students concerning the co-operative education program below. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to coopmath@uwaterloo.ca as we are always happy to help!

Frequently asked questions

As a co-op student, I have so many advisors. Who does what?

As a co-op student, you have access to a number of advisors to support you with the co-op and academic sides of your program; we’re all here to help you navigate your time at the University of Waterloo.

When should I contact my academic advisor?

Your academic advisor is an expert on your program/plan. These advisors are housed in the Faculty of Math and can help with academic course planning and your academic degree requirements.

When should I contact a Math co-op sequence advisor (coopmath)?

The Math co-op sequence change advisors are Math advisors who have additional knowledge about co-op. They can help you with sequence changes (including approval after consultation with an academic advisor when needed), approval for courses on a work term, and questions about your co-op degree requirements.

When should I contact my co-op education advisor?

Your co-op education advisor (CEA) is an expert on co-op with additional knowledge of Math programs and students. These advisors are housed in Co-operative & Experiential Education (CEE) and you’ll connect with them primarily through WaterlooWorks, though you can also book a meeting or call them directly. They will support you through your recruitment and work terms, including the job search, rank & match process, AOJs, and employment questions.

When should I contact a career advisor?

The career advisors can help with specific topics such as résumé building, interview skills, work search strategies, career and further education planning, you’ll find them in-person and online through the Centre for Career Development in the Tatham Centre. 

I am a regular student in Math. How can I switch into co-op?

If you are in your 1B term (and will have completed between 4.0-6.5 units by the end of the term) you may apply to switch to the co-op program. Students admitted to the Faculty of Mathematics with a substantial number of transfer credits may not be able to switch into co-op because they are too far advanced in their plan.

Information sessions to apply to co-op are held at the beginning of the third month of each term (March, July, November). Application forms are available online and are due on or before the last day of classes.

I want to leave co-op. How do I do that? Are there any restrictions?

If you are thinking of leaving the co-op program, then (providing you are in a plan that allows both co-op and regular systems of study) you can switch to regular by submitting a Plan Modification Form. Contact coopmath@uwaterloo.ca with your request, as well as your rationale for wishing to leave co-op. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to speak to the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education for final approval.

Most requests to leave co-op are approved, though there are some special cases where it may not be possible when requested:

  • A student is not permitted to leave co-op effective for a term in which they are enrolled in a COOP course. Depending on the circumstance, it may be possible to process their request to leave co-op the following term.
  • If a student has completed 5-6 work term opportunities in their sequence, they will not typically be allowed to leave co-op before they have completed 8 full-time study terms. In this case, it may still be possible for students to graduate with a regular degree if their plan allows it without completing any remaining work terms in their sequence. Please contact Associate Dean, Co-operative Education for more information.

If you are approved to leave co-op, please note the following:

  • This change cannot be undone once it has been processed.
  • If you are planning international internships in the future, you will be fully responsible for obtaining all needed visas. There will not be CEE support as you will not be completing an official work term, which you employer should be made aware of.
  • PD/WKRPT records from previous terms remain on your transcript even after you leave co-op.
  • If you intend to drop co-op but have been actively pursuing a position through WaterlooWorks, you must contact your CEE student advisor through WaterlooWorks to determine if you can withdraw from the process. If not, you will still be expected to honour a match, if one occurs, and your transfer out of co-op will be delayed until after that work term.
  • If you are an International student, It is your responsibility to contact the immigration consultants, to ensure you understand how the change to regular may affect your ability to work during your studies.
  • Transferring from a co-op plan to a regular may have financial implications that you should be aware of. While no additional co-op fees will be made after the change of plan has been made, tuition fees could actually be higher for a regular student than a co-op student at the same academic level. It is your responsibility to check if this is relevant in your situation and to factor this into your decision. Learn more about Fee schedules.

Can I take courses other than PD courses during my co-op work term?

Yes, but … 

While it can be tempting to try and catch up or even move ahead academically during a work term, keep in mind that this is a choice; Employers are not required to provide any accommodations for this decision. They do not need to provide time away for lectures or labs, or any reduction of work due to any assessments throughout the term (e.g. midterm, exams). Similarly, instructors are not expected to provide any academic accommodations due to your work commitments.  

 As such, it is your responsibility to properly balance any academic work with the duties of your employment with the understanding that the job takes priority. It is also your responsibility to be aware of deadlines for dropping and withdrawing from courses, and to drop or withdraw from the course by the appropriate deadline if you are struggling managing you course load and work.  

You will be able to enroll in one course yourself. You can select one course during the course selection period or enroll during open enrolment.  

Taking courses with an in-person component on a work term is highly discouraged. It should be considered only if you are working locally and your employer has given permission for you to rearrange your work schedule to allow you to attend all in-person course components (lectures, labs, tutorials, etc.). As noted above, an employer is under no obligation to agree to such an arrangement.  

Taking a second course requires permission from your employer or, in the case of WE Accelerate, from a program leader. Follow the processes described below. When emailing coopmath@uwaterloo.ca, ensure you use your Waterloo email account and include your student ID number.  

  • Students participating in WE Accelerate need to request permission for a second course using this webform. At the end of the process, you'll be given a permission slip that you screen shot and send back to coopmath@uwaterloo.ca.  A request will then be made to increase your course load for the co-op term.   

  • Other students: Here is a template that you should use to request approval of the second course from your employer. If your employer approves your request, forward the written permission to coopmath@uwaterloo.ca. A request will then be made to increase your course load for the co-op term. 

Hello ________, 

While I am on my co-op work term, I hope to enrol in two courses. I need your written approval to take the second course. This request is a personal desire to enroll in (up to 2) academic courses and the University of Waterloo does not require me to take courses while on my co-op term; except a PD (Professional Development) course. 

I understand that my coop job is a primary priority this term, and these courses will not impact my responsibilities while working for you.  If they do pose a conflict, I am prepared to drop the courses to ensure a successful work term.  

[Include this paragraph only if a course has an in-person component during regular working hours] I also request permission to rearrange my work hours to attend the in-person components of a course scheduled during regular working hours. If this is not permitted, I will not enroll in a course with any in-person components. 

Please let me know if you approve and I will forward that approval to my co-op sequence advisors.  

Sincerely, 

_________ 

The supporting documents to request a second course should be sent to coopmath@uwaterloo.ca at most one month prior to the term. Note that unit loads are increased no earlier than one week prior to classes starting. This allows registration to be prioritized for students who are scheduled to be on an academic term. The unit load request typically takes 1 to 2 business days to process. 

Warning: Taking courses on a work term will not allow you to graduate any faster with a co-op degree. You require 8 full-time study terms for a co-op degree and must end on a study term.  

How do I change my co-op sequence?

You may need to change sequences if certain required courses are only available in certain terms, if your employer requests an extended co-op term, or if you have arranged your own job but are not scheduled for a work term. There may also be other reasons related to your personal circumstances.

To request a sequence change, fill out the information here. After submitting it you can check on its status here. Once the "State" column changes to CEE it usually takes about 10 business days. CEE is the team that updates WaterlooWorks accordingly.

Are there any consequences of changing your sequence?

Current Math Faculty policy imposes a restriction for a future work term on using the WaterlooWorks full-cycle services job board when a sequence change is submitted after a student has started recruiting for the term being moved. However, the faculty is working with CEE on a one-year trial program in which no penalty will be applied in such cases.

What’s changing?

  • In the past, when students requested a sequence change to defer a work term after the corresponding recruitment term has begun, they would lose access to the Full-Cycle Service job board for a future work term. In WaterlooWorks these students would have received a status of: US – Unemployed: Student Not in Process.
  • Effective Fall 2025, CEE is piloting a one-year policy update that would see students retain access to theFull-Cycle Service job board, regardless of the timing of a sequence change.

What’s the impact on students?

  • Students with a US status in Winter 2026 onward are being reviewed; and if appropriate, their status will be updated to allow access to the Full-Cycle Service job board and other job boards, with communication sent directly to the student.
  • Not all WaterlooWorks restrictions are being removed – just ones related to late sequence changes. In particular, the penalties associated with student reneges are not affected by this change.
  • The Math co-op sequence advisors will continue to review all requested sequence changes as in the past, including consulting with academic advisors when needed.
  • Not all sequence change requests will be approved. If a student has repeatedly delayed a work term and their academic level is no longer consistent with their work  term level, the Associate Dean, Co-op, will be consulted to determine if the sequence change will be permitted.

 I'm a first year student and haven't had my first work term. I would like to change my sequence. How can I do that?

Students cannot typically change their sequence prior to their first work term.

During your first term, you will receive information about the sequence swap process, where you can switch to one of the other initial sequences if you can find someone in your preferred sequence to swap with you.

If you feel there are extenuating circumstances which require you to change your sequence, you can petition to request a change. You should discuss your situation with coopmath@uwaterloo.ca first.

 Can I take one or more terms off and still remain in the co-op program, how does that affect my co-op sequence?

Any math student can take up to 3 consecutive terms off without needing to apply for readmission. This also applies to co-op students. Note however that international students will need to check with an immigration consultant as to whether such a plan is recommended.

As for co-op sequences, students will need to return to full-time studies prior to any work terms. That is, you cannot take a term (or two or three) off and then immediately follow that with a co-op term.

 I'm thinking of taking only 1-2 courses in a term. Will that affect my co-op sequence?

Students must be enrolled in full-time studies during their recruitment terms. So, for example, if you are scheduled for a Fall work term, that means the Spring term must be full-time (at least 1.5 units of courses, not counting PD courses). If you are only in 1-2 courses (again, not counting PD courses), that is a part-time term, and you will be removed from the recruitment process and your work-study sequence will be removed. You will need to reset your sequence when you return to full-time studies. You will retain the work term that was originally scheduled after the part-time term.

In addition, if you are an international students, be sure to consult with the registered immigration consultants about the possible effects of a part-time term.

 I was unemployed due to covid and received the work term exemption. What does that mean for my degree requirements?

The work term exemption (or reduction) was given to students who were unemployed for a scheduled work term in one of Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021, or Spring 2021. As a result of this exemption, the required number of work term credits to meet co-op degree requirements was reduced by one. If your program requires four work term credits, you need to earn credit for three instead. If you program requires five work term credits, you need to earn credit for four instead. Note that no other degree requirements were adjusted during covid.

If this exemption applies to you, it will appear as a Undergrad Milestone on Quest. If it does not appear there, the exemption does not apply to you, and there is no reduction to your work term requirements.

I've been placed on academic probation because my average is too low. What does that mean?

Learn more information about co-op probation.

 I was removed from co-op due academic difficulties. Can I transfer back if my grades improve?

Generally, you cannot transfer back to co-op after being removed. However, if your academic record is addressed through the petition process, your status in co-op will be reviewed as part of the petition outcome to determine if you can return to co-op.

I missed one work term. Will I be removed from co-op?

Most Math co-op sequences have one more work term opportunity scheduled than the number of work term credits needed to graduate. This allows most students to remain in co-op and able to complete a co-op degree even if they are not employed in one work term opportunity.

Some students (those in Math/CPA and those who join co-op through a transfer) have exactly the same number of work term opportunities as the number of work term credits required. These students can be removed from co-op if they miss earning a work term credit in any scheduled work term opportunity.

As removal from co-op would also mean removal from their program, there are some special considerations for students in Math/CPA, who should contact their program advisor if they miss earning a credit on one work term.

How many work term credits do I need for my co-op degree?

As noted in the university calendar, most Math co-op plans require credit for 5 work terms. These are recorded as 2.5 COOP course credits.

A few plans (Math/CPA, Math/Teaching, and both Double degree plans) require 4 work term credits, recorded as 2.0 COOP course credits.

Note that students in the Math/Teaching who combine that major with a second Math faculty major plan will need 5 work term credits, as required by their second major.

 I'd like to delay taking my PD courses. Is that okay?

As noted in the co-op regulations section of the university calendar, Math students are expected to take a PD course each work term until the PD requirements are completed. Since PD1 is completed on the first recruitment term, this means that PD requirements can be completed by the end of the fourth work term.

In addition, students can be placed on co-op probation for having two missing, withdrawn, or failed PD courses, and can be removed from co-op for having three missing, withdrawn, or failed PD courses. By choosing to delay taking a PD course on a work term before the requirements are completed, you are risking your co-op status.

There may be special circumstances which will make it difficult for a student to complete a PD course on a particular work term. In such cases, please contact the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education to discuss your situation further.

 I've fallen behind on PD courses. How can I catch up?

While students are typically limited to one PD course on a work term, a second PD course can be taken on a work term if you are repeating a previous attempt which was failed or withdrawn.

If you are on your last work term and need two more PD courses, please contact the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education for permission to take a second PD course.

If you have finished your work terms and are still missing a PD course, please contact the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education for permission to take a PD course on a study term.

 Can I finish my co-op degree on a work term?

For a co-op degree, no, you must end on a study term. To determine options regarding graduating with a regular degree, contact with us via coopmath@uwaterloo.ca.

 I’ve heard about petitions for academic problems. Can a petition help with co-op?

A successful petition may be useful to help address problems completing a co-op degree. The petition process involves completing an online form and providing supporting documentation about your situation. The information you submit will remain confidential. A few situations in which a petition may be appropriate include:

  • You were unable to work during a scheduled work term due to health issues and need an additional work term opportunity to meet co-op degree requirements.
  • You were working during a term but did not submit the required forms to earn work term credit.
  • You want to end your degree with a work term instead of a work term but still want to graduate with a co-op degree.
  • You want to graduate with a co-op degree with four work term credits in a program that requires at least five work term credits.

This list is not meant to be exclusive – there are other situations in which a petition may be appropriate.

In addition, there are academic petitions that might affect your co-op standing. If you successfully petition to zero credit weight a term for which co-op probation was assigned, your co-op status will be reviewed to determine if the co-op probation will be removed retroactively and to determine if your co-op sequence should be adjusted.

The outcome of a petition is never guaranteed. Each petition is reviewed based on individual circumstances. If you are considering a petition for an issue related to co-op, please reach out the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education to discuss your situation further.

Some petitions will be decided by the CEE petitions committee, and some by the Math Faculty’s petitions committee. Generally, the CEE petitions committee will deal with issues related to co-op credits and university-wide co-op degree regulations. The Math petitions committee will deal with issues related to Math co-op degree requirements. A student does not need to know who will be reviewing the petition as the submission process is the same for both.

I've taken extra courses and can finish my degree in 7 study terms. Can I still graduate with a co-op degree?

No. Co-op degrees require 8 full-time terms (with 8 co-op fees being paid).

If there are exceptional circumstances, you can petition to graduate with 7 full-time terms, but those petitions are rarely approved.

 Can I schedule three work terms in a row?

The university has started to allow 3-4 work terms in a row in some exceptional circumstances. These longer work terms are intended to allow students and employers to benefit from a longer work experience. This opportunity was not intended to accommodate three recruitment terms in a row with no employment arranged.

If you are requesting three work terms in a row and have already confirmed employment for at least one of those terms, contact the Math co-op sequence advisors regarding this longer experience. Approval is not guaranteed, and is subject to additional conditions (including, but not limited to, that you must have sufficient work terms remaining to cover the experience, and this experience cannot generally be used to extend your first work term).

If no employment has been officially arranged and you are requesting three recruitment terms in a row for academic or other reasons, the request will not typically be approved, particularly if you can meet co-op degree requirements without all three work terms. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis by contacting the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education about your request.

If you are requesting four work terms in a row, please contact Associate Dean, Co-operative Education to discuss your situation further.

If you are on a student visa, you are encouraged to check with the registered immigration consultants to ensure the longer work term is allowed in  your specific situation and to discuss whether there would be any possible future effects regarding a post-graduate work visa application.

Learn more information about longer work terms.

 I’m interested in doing research and going to grad school. Should I stay in co-op? Can I earn co-op credit for doing research?

Even if you are planning a career in research or academia, there are real benefits to continue in co-op.

  • You can pursue research work terms for official co-op credit. You may find a research position posted on the WaterlooWorks co-op job board (or one of the other job boards) or you may be able to arrange a research term through the Mathematics Undergraduate Research Award (MURA) Program. You may be able to arrange a position directly with a faculty member. · You can complete the Co-op Research Certificate as part of your degree.

  • Industry experience can be very beneficial to research, and co-op will allow you to try different types of work terms. This may help you identify applications and research areas you wish to pursue further. These experiences can also allow you to build a network of industry contacts which can be very beneficial for researchers.

I’ve been accepted into Math Co-op with transfer credits. What should I be aware of?  

Be sure to read about transfer credits, which distinguishes between high school and university level transfer credits, and note the following: 

  • If you have 1.5 transfer credits or less, you may choose one of co-op sequences 1,2,3,4 when completing course selection before you arrive. Depending on your plan, a sequence may be assigned to you. You will be eligible for the maximum number of work term opportunities for your plan of study. You will also be expected to complete at least eight full-time study terms to meet your co-op degree requirements.  

  • If you have between 2.0 and 6.0 transfer credits, you will only be eligible for a maximum of five work terms opportunities and will pay only six co-op fees instead of the usual eight co-op fees.  

  • Depending on the number of transfer credits you receive, the number of full-time study terms required for your degree may be reduced from the usual requirement. Any reduced requirements should be included with your transfer credit letter information.  

  • If you are a high school student with more than 1.5 transfer credits because you took some university-level courses as high school enrichment, it may be possible to reduce your transfer credit count by not accepting some of your high school credits (though you must accept your university-level transfers) to reduce you transfer credits. By reducing your transfer credit count, you may then be eligible for the usual number of work term opportunities. Contact the Associate Dean, Co-op for Math to discuss this further.  

  • If you received 2.0--2.5 transfer credits and plan to complete eight full-time terms to complete your degree, contact the Associate Dean, Co-op for Math to determine if it might be possible to have a sixth work term added to your sequence. This option should be investigated as early as possible, as it may be difficult to add an additional work term later in your sequence. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and depend on individual circumstances and are not guaranteed to be approved.