University of Victoria

The University of Victoria (UVic) offers hands-on experience integrated with research-inspired teaching to accelerate personal growth and career success. Civic engagement is a key part of our mission, and our faculty, students, and staff work with community partners locally and globally to tackle issues that matter to people, places, and the planet.

UVic has one of Canada’s largest university co-operative education programs with more than 3,200 placements each year. Co-op integrates academic studies with relevant paid work experience in more than 40 academic areas, with one in three UVic undergraduates taking part.

UVic’s co-op program offers a unique approach to help students start building their career while still at university. It is designed to work around student’s academic courses, so students can complement what they’re learning in class with practical workplace experience, graduating with a resume packed with relevant experience.

WIL Contact Information:

Contact Name: Andrea Giles

Contact Phone: 250-721-6211

Contact Email: agiles@uvic.ca

WIL Programs:

Biochemistry and Microbiology

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Biochemistry and Microbiology Co-op is an optional co-op program. It gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in areas such as monitoring industrial fermentation processes; testing clinical, environmental, food, and water samples for microbial or chemical contamination; or conducting original research using modern biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, genomics and proteomics technology.The following...

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Biology

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Biology Co-op is an optional co-op program.Co-op students must complete a preparation course called Introduction to Professional Practice before starting their first co-op work term. This course is taken in addition to students’ regular course load and consists of six 50-minute sessions.The following program formats are available:Traditional co-op Work experience program Internship (also known as post-study...

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Business

The University of Victoria (UVic) offers Canada's only business program with mandatory co-ops for all undergraduate students enrolled in our faculty. The UVic Business Co-op is for students studying commerce (BCom, business administration (MBA), global business (MGB), and master of management (MM).The following program formats are available: Traditional co-op (many international co-op opportunities also available) Work term challenge (BCom first work term...

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Chemistry

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Chemistry Co-op is an optional co-op program. Students must be enrolled in a Chemistry Major or Honors Program and normally should have a minimum B average in chemistry courses taken during their latest academic session.Students are eligible to apply to the co-op program after they have completed a minimum of 1 year of classes at UVic or have an equivalent of transfer credit from another institution.The following program...

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Collections Management, Professional Specialization Certificate

6.0 unit credit certificate (4 courses) that trains cultural sector workers in understanding the development, management and care of collections in a variety of cultural settings. Offered in a fully online format, the program provides an innovative and flexible format that will suit both professional development needs and a busy work schedule (some face-to-face short immersion elective course options are also available).

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Cultural Resource Management, Diploma

15 unit credit diploma (10 courses) offering emerging and mid-career professionals practical, theoretical and management-based professional training, in a flexible format taught by established industry experts.

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Earth and Ocean Science

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS) Co-op is an optional co-op program.The following program formats are available:Traditional co-op Work experience program Other formats possible – flexible work term scheduling (work terms can be done in spring, summer or fall terms, and multi-term work terms are possible)The number of work terms depends on your program format.You could work in jobs related to:Climate...

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Engineering and Computer Science

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Engineering and Computer Science Co-op office administers several different programs.Co-op is mandatory for the following programs:Biomedical Engineering (undergraduate) Civil Engineering (undergraduate) Computer Engineering (undergraduate) Electrical Engineering (undergraduate) Mechanical Engineering (undergraduate) Software Engineering (undergraduate)Co-op is optional for the following programs:...

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Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education (EPHE) Co-op offers mandatory and optional programs depending on your program area.Co-ops are mandatory for Recreation and Health Education (BA) and Coaching Studies (at the graduate level) and are optional for Kinesiology (BSc), Physical and Health Education Major (BA), and Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education (at the graduate level).Learn more about UVic’s EPHE...

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Graduate Students

The University of Victoria (UVic) is home to the largest graduate co-op program in Canada. Co-op can be a great addition to your master’s or doctoral studies, with a third of co-op students finding permanent positions with their former co-op employers after graduation.Co-op is available to graduate students in most program areas. Grad students are also eligible for a shorter Work Experience Program option. For both programs, your admission will be determined after...

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Health Information Science

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Health Information Science Co-op is a mandatory co-op program for undergraduates; you are automatically enrolled and are required to complete three work terms. We offer our graduate students an optional co-op opportunity which provides paid, hands-on employment experience in health informatics.The Health Information Science Co-op Program offers the following formats:Traditional co-op Work experience programLearn...

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Humanities and Fine Arts

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Humanities and Fine Arts (HUFA) Co-op is an optional program available for students studying:Cultural Resource Management English French Gender Studies Germanic/Slavic Studies Greek/Roman Studies History Hispanic/Italian Studies Humanities – general studies Art History and Visual Studies Indigenous Studies Intercultural Education and Training Program Latin American Studies Linguistics ...

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Mathmatics and Statistics

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Mathematics and Statistics Co-op is an optional co-op program. In order to participate, undergraduate students must be enrolled in a Math/Statistics Major or Honors Program and normally should have a minimum B- average in math/statistics courses taken during their latest academic session. Students are eligible to apply to the co-op program after they have completed a minimum of 1 year of classes at UVic, or have an equivalent of...

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Physics and Astronomy

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Physics and Astronomy Co-op is an optional co-op program. In order to participate, undergraduate students must be enrolled in a Physics/Astronomy Major or Honors Program and normally should have a minimum B average in physics and astronomy courses taken during their latest academic session. Students are eligible to apply to the co-op program after they have completed a minimum of 1 year of classes at UVic, or have an equivalent of...

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Public Administration

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Master of Public Administration (MPA) students are automatically enrolled in co-op and no application is needed. Two work terms are mandatory (after which your co-op designation is earned), but students can choose to complete three work terms.Many students secure placements in the public sector at the federal, provincial, or local government level, including agencies and commissions. Co-op opportunities are not limited to the...

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Social Sciences

The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Social Sciences Co-op office offers these optional co-op programs to undergraduate and graduate students:Anthropology Co-op Economics Co-op Environmental Studies Co-op Geography Co-op Political Science Co-op Psychology Co-op Restoration of Natural Systems Co-op Sociology Co-opApplication requirements vary depending on your level of study and your program area.Co-operative education in Social...

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Visitor & Community Engagement, Prof Specialization Certificate

6.0 unit credit certificate (4 courses) that develops participant expertise in the area of public programming, audience engagement and community relationship building. Offered in a fully online format, the program provides an innovative and flexible format that will suit both professional development needs and a busy work schedule (some face-to-face short immersion elective course options are also available).

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