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Students at University of Waterloo

What is co-op?

Co-operative education (co-op) is an educational model that combines academic studies with work experience.


Co-op students alternate terms of school with work in relevant fields. Upon completion of their degree program, a co-op student will have the same foundation of academic experience as a non-co-op student, but enhanced by up to two years of work experience.


There are more than 16,000 co-op students in over 120 programs who participate in co-op at the undergraduate and masters levels.



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Sequences

Study/work sequences vary by academic program and year of admission. For a complete list of sequences, view the Undergraduate Calendar. Depending on the program, it may be possible for you and your student to arrange a different sequence.



Length of work term

Depending on the program students are in, most work terms are four months in length. Some programs have double work terms that are eight months long.