co-op student at placement

Co-op

Apply concepts you learn in class through paid work terms. You’ll get not just a degree showing that you participated in a co-op program but also approximately 16 months of experience in your field of study and a network of valuable contacts.
90+

programs

90%

placement rate

4,000+

employers

Benefits

Find a job more easily thanks to the experience and skills you gain through co-op placements. You can: 

  • gain paid work experience in your field of study 
  • develop professional skills 
  • find your career match by exploring different job opportunities 
  • meet people who can help you break into the job market after you graduate 
  • travel for work and have unique experiences 
co-op student abroad

Programs

Discover our programs

The co-op option is available in four-year undergraduate programs (honours with specialization, double major and major with minor) and in some master’s programs.  

For undergraduates, in most cases, your first work term takes place during the summer after your second year. From then on, your placements and study terms alternate until the end of your program. You must submit a report at the end of each placement. 

Typical co-op sequence 

Year Fall Winter Spring-Summer
1 Studies Studies - 
2 Studies Studies Work 1 
3 Studies Work 2 Studies 
4 Work 3 Studies Work 4 
5 Studies - - 

The University of Ottawa’s co-op program is accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada.  

Types of employers

Depending on your program, you can do placements with many types of employers, including private businesses, federal government departments, municipal and provincial government offices, not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, Crown corporations, NGOs and high-tech companies.  

Depending on your preferences, you can take part in placement opportunities locally, across Canada or abroad.

Did you know that it is also possible to your develop entrepreneurial skills through entrepreneurship internships and co-op placements with the Loh Entrepreneurship Experience Scholarship. 

Active uOttawa students can apply through the CO-OP Navigator.

Apply through the CO-OP Navigator
people working in an office
paper, pens and materials used in a workshop

Workshops

Workshops are part of all accredited co-op programs. They’re critical to your success, and you must attend all of them.
List of co-op workshops

Co-op Awards

Co-op Students of the Year
Students talking at a networking event
Co-op Students of the Year

Nominate a co-op student

Each year, one co-op student per faculty receives a Student of the Year Award.
Co-op Employers of the year
Recipient of the Co-op Employer of the year award with co-op students
Co-op Employers of the year

Nominate a co-op employer

Each year, four awards will be given out to selected co-op employers who have provided an exceptional student work-term experience, based on student n…

Contact us

Co-operative Education Programs

Desmarais Building
55 Laurier Avenue East, 3rd floor
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5
Canada
Tel.: 613-562-5741
Fax: 613-562-5108
[email protected]

Office hours

September 1 to May 31
8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

June 1 to August 31
8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.