Frequently Asked Questions

Each program has different CGPA requirements. View your faculty program's CGPA requirements here.

If this is your first term at SFU, you can still apply to Co-op. However, you must meet your faculty's CGPA requirement in the term before you begin your job search.

You should ideally apply to Co-op as soon as possible.  Because you are transferring credits to SFU, you should get involved in Co-op as soon as you come to campus.

Please complete a Work/Study Plan to see if you have space in your degree for the required number of work terms, and then contact your faculty's advisor. The Work/Study Plan sheet can be found under Documents

No, it is not too soon to apply. You should apply to Co-op two terms ahead of when you want to do your first work term, so you will have plenty of credits by the time you start working.

Co-op is for full-time students. You should be in 9 units or more in your study terms.

No. Students who have been accepted into the Co-op program have access to all job postings –international or local. Visit the Co-op Abroad website for more information about finding an international work term position.

Yes.  Co-op positions are available throughout BC, across Canada and all over the world. To find out about job postings in your country of choice, check out the Co-op Abroad website. If you have any questions, you can make an appointment to speak with a Co-op Coordinator or Advisor from your faculty.

No. Co-op is a competitive program where students apply and compete for jobs. The more effort you put into the job search and job search preparation process, and the more positions you apply for, the more interviews you are likely to get. Likewise, the more interviews you do, the more likely you are to receive a job offer. Co-op staff are available to assist you in all stages of your Co-op work search, and special preparation for your job search is done through the Co-op workshops process, which helps you tailor your resume, cover letter and improve your interview skills. Aside from preparation, the more flexible students are with regard to the work experience they would like to gain and the locations they can work, the more likely they are to secure a position.

Students must complete 3 work terms throughout their undergraduate degree to obtain their Co-op designation. Masters and post-baccalaureate diploma students complete 1 or 2 work terms, though requirements vary between faculties.

One work term provides a student with just 4 months of work experience. It is to your benefit to have at least 1 year of work experience upon graduation, as well as the related contacts and references this provides. At this time, with the completion of 3 work terms on an alternating basis with study terms, Co-op is noted on the graduation diploma. This is the model of the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, which is used by universities in Canada.

Undergraduate students in Co-op can anticipate pay rates of minimum wage and up, depending on employer and position. Refer to the BC Employment Standards Minimum Wage.

Yes. This is called a Student-Developed Work Term. In addition to applying for positions on myExperience, you are welcome to search for your own work term. Please meet with your faculty's Co-op Coordinator for further details.

Yes. Students are not limited to positions from their faculty. We encourage students to apply for any jobs they find interesting and are suited for.

There are 3 ways to find out:

1. All students will receive an email from their Co-op Coordinators at the beginning of each term. 
2. Go to the "Contact Us" page of your faculty co-op program and look for your Co-op Coordinator by your last name.
3. Your Co-op Coordinator is listed in myExperience on your dashboard when you first log in under “Experiential Learning Overview”.

Yes, your Co-op Coordinator has a breadth of knowledge of recruitment practices, skillsets required and roles that are in demand across various industries. They can direct you to resources identifying key skills needed for entry level and more experienced longer term career positions. They have a network of employers they are connected to where they learn the latest recruitment information that they then share with you. Your Co-op Coordinators offer support through career coaching and counselling based on your individual interests. 

• All Co-op programs have drop in hours. Check your co-op program’s website under the “Contact Us” menu tab for the schedule and the Zoom link if they are being hosted online.  
• All Co-op Advisors and Coordinators have appointments posted on myExperience.

The Co-op team is happy to meet with any student who has questions or concerns about whether Co-op is a good fit. We are committed to supporting students with accessibility needs or other barriers and welcome confidential conversations at any stage of the Co-op process.

For students with disabilities or who require accommodations, we can work with the Centre for Accessible Learning to identify needed support and explore accommodation options during Co-op and in the workplace.

Students facing other barriers are also encouraged to reach out. We are happy to discuss your concerns confidentially and explore available supports to help you succeed in Co-op. If you’d like to start a conversation or have general questions, contact the Co-op team today.

Contact your faculty’s Co-op program with any general questions about participating in Co-op

The application fee is a one-time fee. You won’t pay the Co-op practicum fee until you secure a Co-op position. The application fee must be paid before your next course registration date, or the end of the term – whichever comes first.

You can find the Co-op practicum tuition in the SFU Student Calendar under the "Tuition" heading (click on either the Domestic or International Student tab).

During a Co-op work term, SFU may consider you a full-time student in certain circumstances. If you are receiving student loans or scholarships, you should always check with an SFU Financial Aid Advisor to confirm whether you meet full-time status requirements for financial assistance purposes.

For T2202A tax reporting, full-time student status is defined separately by the Canada Revenue Agency. See the T2202A explanation for more information.

The amount of work required for the job application and interview stages is comparable to taking one course. Keep this in mind when registering for courses for your job seeking term. The workload decreases substantially after you’ve secured your first work term.

Yes. International students must obtain a Co-op work permit (this is different from an off-campus work permit). There are also some limitations, as International students cannot apply for government-funded positions or some positions in the Federal government.