Co-op programmes are continuously becoming more popular these days among students who are looking forward to Studying in Canada. What are Co-op programmes? These programmes include the period of employment at the companies along with the tenure of the studies. These Co-op internship opportunities are typically 6–8 months long. Let us talk about how Co-op programmes and internship opportunities in Canada have an impact on career readiness and post-graduation employment for students.
These programs are one sure-shot way to study and work in Canada in 2023 and given the present scenario, these programs have become one of the top 10 reasons to study in Canada. With an annual GDP growth rate of 4.5%, there are numerous opportunities for students to gain professional exposure after graduation. Let’s have a look at the top universities to study at in Canada, which also provide Co-op programs in specific fields and subjects.
Top universities in Canada for students which provide Co-op programs:
| University | Co-op programs available in |
| University of Waterloo | All Honours and Arts majors, English majors in Honours Arts, Global Business and Digital, Arts, Architecture, Architectural, Environmental, Geological, Systems Design, Biomedical, Civil, Management, Nanotechnology, Software, Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical,, Mechatronics, Health Sciences and Public Health, Business Administration and Computer Science (Double Degree), Business Administration and mathematics (Double Degree), Computing and Financial Management, Mathematics/Teaching, Chartered professional accountancy, All maths majors, All Science major programs, Accounting and Financial Management, Sustainability and Financial Management |
| University of British Columbia | Arts, Humanities and Social Science, Engineering, Business and management, environmental studies and health sciences |
| University of Ottawa | Engineering, Environmental sciences, Law, Business and Management, Social sciences, Health sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts |
| University of Toronto | Arts and science, management and international development studies |
| Simon Fraser University | Arts and social sciences, biomedical physiology, communication, computing science, education and learning, engineering, environment, mechatronics, software systems, sustainable energy systems and contemporary arts. |
| University of Calgary | Arts and sciences, school of business, kinesiology, education, nursing and social work |
| Carleton University | Graduate programs: international affairs, political science, sustainable energy, sociology, computer science, public policy and administration Undergraduate programs: science, mathematics, IT, engineering, media production and design, arts and commerce, computer science, architectural studies, economics, public affairs |
Benefits to choose a co-op program:
Well, so to speak, there are endless benefits to choosing a co-op program, though you will have to invest a bit more in taking up these programs, you will eventually enjoy the best ROIs for the same.
- Exposure to the industry: this is the sole purpose of the co-op programs and one of the crucial aspects of studying abroad. Students tend to look forward to some paid internships which can help them grow professionally and gain exposure to real-world problems.
- It is all paid: through these co-op programs and internship opportunities, students are likely to earn up to 20,000 CAD over 4 working tenures.
work -integrated learning: unlike most of the countries which are popular among students for studying abroad where students are allowed to look for employment, Canada rules out as best in terms of work-integrated learning, as apart from amazing research and dissertation opportunities, the institutions have made it a compulsion for the students to enrol in an internship program which is crucial for their development only.