Best Engineering Co-op Programs in Canada 2023
In Canada, a Co-op is short for a cooperative education program undertaken as a modifier to the main academic venture. This academic program incorporates both classroom theory with periods of practical, hands-on work experience from study to graduation.
The co-op program grants students the opportunity to alternate between their academic study and full-time employment, thereby gaining practical experience in their field of study.
PURPOSE OF A CO-OP EDUCATION PROGRAM
Quite a number of universities in Canada engage in co-op education programs; the intent of this is to provide their students the necessary work experience required to succeed in their field and land a job or be able to negotiate higher pay after graduation.
However, in this article, we will be focusing on the top universities in Canada that offer engineering co-op programs whose rankings are based on the nature of the program, suitability, and the percentage employability of their students based on the industry value of the co-op program and general student satisfaction.
BEST ENGINEERING CO-OP PROGRAMS IN CANADA, 2023
Therefore, as an aspiring domestic or international student deciding on a co-op engineering program in Canada, your first question will probably be, which University in Canada offers the best engineering program?
To answer this fundamental question, we will use McLean’s 2023 top engineering school rankings in Canada, which are listed in the table below.
MCLEAN’s 2021 TOP ENGINEERING SCHOOL RANKINGS IN CANADA
| RANK | UNIVERSITY |
|---|---|
| *1 | University of Toronto |
| *1 | University of Waterloo |
| 3 | University of British Columbia |
| 4 | McGill University |
| 5 | University of Alberta. |
| 6 | McMaster University |
| 7 | Queen’s University |
| 8 | University of Montreal |
| 9 | University of Victoria |
| 10 | University of Calgary |
According to the ranking by McLean, the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo are tied for the first position. While third is the University of British Columbia, and others are following suit.
THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO ENGINEERING CO-OP
The engineering co-op program of the University of Waterloo is arguably the best in all of Canada. Naturally, therefore, it is perhaps the most competitive engineering program in Canada.
WATERLOO CO-OP/STUDY SEQUENCES
STANDARD STREAM
Most programs at Waterloo University are streamlined either as stream four or stream 8; thus, students begin their first co-op term after one study term, “4 months of study,” or two study terms, “8 months of study”.
Fall term = September to December
Winter term = January to April
Spring term = May to August
| Year | Term | Stream 4 | Stream 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall | Study Term 1A | Study Term 1A |
| Winter | Co-op Term 1 | Study Term 1B | |
| Spring | Study Term 1B | Co-op Term 1 | |
| 2 | Fall | Co-op Term 2 | Study Term 2A |
| Winter | Study Term 2A | Co-op Term 2 | |
| Spring | Co-op Term 3 | Study Term 2B | |
| 3 | Fall | Study Term 2B | Co-op Term 3 |
| Winter | Co-op Term 4 | Study Term 3A | |
| Spring | Study Term 3A | Co-op Term 4 | |
| 4 | Fall | Co-op Term 5 | Study Term 3B |
| Winter | Study Term 3B | Co-op Term 5 | |
| Spring | Co-op Term 6 | Study Term 4A | |
| 5 | Fall | Study Term 4A | Co-op Term 6 |
| Winter | Study Term 4B | Study Term 4B |
At the end of your chosen stream, you begin a co-op as listed below.
ADVANTAGES OF THE WATERLOO CO-OP PROGRAM
- Waterloo co-op advisors are reputed to be well-connected and extremely helpful in getting you a job for your internships.
- The University has almost a 100% participation score in all of its co-op programs.
- This means that every single student, plus first-year students get an internship; every work term. After your first work term, you usually return to school for four months, then work for four months, and back to school for four months.
- Another important advantage is that these work terms assist you in paying for your studies while in school.
- Also, the work is a practical experience.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ENGINEERING CO-OP
University of Toronto’s engineering co-op program is called Professional Experience Year Co-op Program, which is both paid and optional. During the PEY Co-op, students will earn a competitive salary, which allows them to position themselves right to negotiate a higher starting salary after graduation than those without the same quality of work experience.
The PEY Co-op is a chance to work full-time for an employer of choice for at least 12 to 16 months after your second or third year of studies.
This allows you to apply your engineering competencies to industry challenges while making meaningful professional contributions and income.
At UOT, you have access to nine libraries. In addition, there are several places in residence for the first years. UOT is a very well-rounded institution that engages in research in lots of areas.
However, the jobs you get during the first year of your studies most likely will not be counted as a co-op on your engineering degree.
UNIVERSITY OF BRITSIH COLUMBIA ENGINEERING CO-OP
UBC is the most extensive co-op program in Western Canada and one of the most successful programs in the country. Industry leaders often look to recruit engineering talents from UBC, and the students benefit from paid, relevant, and technical work experiences that help them become the engineers of tomorrow.
BENEFITS OF UBC CO-OP
- Close to 20 months of paid, relevant work experience
- Opportunities to have contacts of a network of industry leaders and be mentored by professionals in your field.
- 12 months of work credit gained to your Engineer in Training status
- A chance to gain relevant job search skills, including how to develop powerful resumes and cover letters which will improve your success in interviews.
- Give you a competitive advantage when you apply for jobs after graduation.
- Opportunities to work across Canada or around the world
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE UBC CO-OP PROGRAM
- You must be an undergraduate student in any Applied Science discipline.
- Available to graduate students in an MEng program who are eligible for co-op.
- Acceptability requires that you are able to demonstrate strong communication skills and have a solid academic foundation and professional maturity.
Note:Â If accepted into UBC for a co-op program, you will have to participate in some mandatory co-op workshops, which often begin in late October. In addition, UBC offers one of the cheapest Engineering Co-op programs in Canada. Visit here for more info about the University of British Columbia:Â University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
McGill UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING CO-OP PROGRAM
McGill University Engineering has two different co-op programs from which students can acquire relevant work experience in their industry.
These are:
- Undergraduate Bioresource, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, or Software Engineering students can participate in the Engineering Internship Program.
- Mining and Materials Engineering students must also participate in the mandatory cooperative education program.
McGill ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (EIP)
Undergraduates participate in 4, 8, 12, or 16-month-long engineering internships, which commence in September, January or May. The duration of each internship must be between 12 and 16 weeks.
The Engineering Internship Program allows employers to contribute to future employees while investing in students’ educational processes in a meaningful and outstanding way. In addition, McGill students participate in internships to further their academic, professional, and personal growth.
Note:Â McGill has quite high admission averages; you have to be a brilliant student to be admitted to McGill.
Another thing to consider is that the further you go away from Montreal, the fewer and less that people start to speak English. However, moreover, everybody starts to speak French.
So if you intend to attend McGill, you will have to pick up a small quantity of French to get by.
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA ENGINEERING CO-OP PROGRAM
At the University of Alberta, Co-operative Education Program “means a program which alternates periods of academic study with periods of work experience in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services, and the professions” by the following criteria:
- All work terms are created in collaboration with the employer and approved by the cooperative education program to be a suitable learning environment.
- Student must be involved in productive work for which he/she receives remuneration.
- The co-op syllabus encourages student learning goals, personal evaluation, and reflection.
- The performance of the student is supervised and evaluated by the employer.
- The cooperative education program monitors progress during the work term.
- Work and academic terms, respectively, are both full-time and follow a formalized sequence.
- The co-op work experience typically amounts to at least 30% of the time spent in academic study.
- The total amount may be at least 25% for two years programs or less.
- A work term is defined as a minimum of 12 wks or 420 hours of full-time paid experience.
- Usually, co-op programs start and end on an academic term.
- Students completing multiple work terms are often exposed to the work environment for more than one session of the year.
University of Alberta’s engineering co-op program requires you to do 5 four months of work terms with satisfactory performance and term paper evaluations. So, you are expected to work for 20 months before graduating.
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING CO-OP PROGRAM
The co-op program at McMaster University combines academic study with alternating work terms of durations from 4 to 16 months.
This gives the students an experiential learning opportunity to engage academic knowledge outside the classroom, enhance their academic experience through paid employment and have a competitive edge in the workforce.
ADVANTAGES OF MCMASTER COOP
1. GAIN EXPERIENCE
- McMaster Co-op allows you to test out your future career prior to graduating.
- Connects you with current McMaster students and alumni in your field of interest.
2. EARN MONEY
- In 2017/2018, students at McMaster made an average of $46,800 for 12-month co-op terms
- And $10,400 for 4-month co-op terms.
3. NETWORK WITH EMPLOYERS
- Students have the opportunity to meet employers face-to-face and build a professional network.
- Get first info about potential job opportunities and good insight into the hiring process.
4. FLEXIBLE WORK TERMS
- The co-op program is quite flexible and customizable, depending on the co-op program. That is 4, 8, 12, or 16-month terms
How does the McMaster University Engineering Co-op program work?
McMaster has structured its engineering co-op program almost the same as McGill, except that it offers co-op for all its engineering programs, which essentially avails you of either 4, 8, 12, or 16 months work terms or a combination of all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, engineering co-ops are a great way to get started in the profession, and many excellent programs are available. If you are interested in a career in engineering, consider joining one of these co-ops!
