Undergraduate Co-op
The Institute offers internship opportunities to students in over 70 academic programs across all faculties. By alternating between study terms and three internships, you'll get a head-start on your career, the chance to apply what you've learned in class, and the opportunity to gain practical work experience.
Program benefits
Along with a competitive edge when you're ready to join the workforce after graduation, there are many benefits to participating in the Undergraduate Co-op. They include the opportunity to:
- Enhance your career skills through webinars and practical in-person sessions
- Receive assistance and support in finding an internship in your field
- Apply your academic learnings and gain work experience in a "real world" setting
- Take advantage of networking and mentoring opportunities
Internship criteria
All internships must:
- Be paid, full-time positions (minimum 35 hrs./week) that are relevant to your program of study
- Start in September, January or May and last between 12 to 17 weeks
- Build upon your previous experiences and push you further, even when staying within the same company
- Not be supervised by a family member
Eligibility for students
Admission to the Institute is a competitive process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entrance into the Institute's programs. Before applying:
- You must meet the minimum grade requirements — criteria for your program are on the How To Apply page
- You must be a full-time student, most commonly defined by being registered in at least 12 credits in each semester.
- You must have sufficient credits remaining in your degree to accommodate 3 work terms alternating between academic terms. For students at the John Molson School of Business and at the Faculty of Arts & Science, you must have at least 60 credits remaining. For students at the Gina Cody School of Engineering, you must have at least 90 credits remaining – and for students in the Computer Science program you must have at least 60 credits remaining.
- You must be registered in a Concordia undergraduate academic program that has a Co-op option, such as:
- Actuarial Mathematics
- Actuarial Mathematics/Finance
- Anthropology
- Anthropology and Sociology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biology (Environmental and Sustainability Science)
- Biology (Systems and Information Biology)
- Chemistry
- Chemistry and Biochemistry (Environmental and Sustainability Science)
- Economics
- Journalism
- Mathematical and Computational Finance
- Physics
- Political Science
- Pure and Applied Mathematics
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Translation
- Accountancy
- Business Technology Management
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Operations Management
Engineering — BEng
- Aerospace
- Building
- Civil
- Computer
- Electrical
- Industrial
- Mechanical
- Software
Computer Science — BCompSc
- Computer Science
- Joint Major in Health and Life Sciences
- Joint Major in Computation Arts
- Joint Major in Data Science
Get formal acceptance into the Institute
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Attend Institute Welcome Orientation and Program Orientation sessions
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Complete training modules on internship and career success
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Participate in ongoing employer events and industry visits for the duration of each student's membership in the Institute
• Complete at least two study terms as a member of the Institute.
• During your second study term (at the earliest), secure your first internship for your third term (or later).
• Students must then successfully complete the first internship and required learning activities
• Based on your individualized schedule, secure a second internship to begin the following term
• Students must then successfully complete the second internship and required learning activities
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• Based on your individualized schedule, secure a third internship to begin the following term
• Students must then successfully complete the third internship and required learning activities
NOTE: Prior to the first work term students must apply to, interview for, and be hired for an internship. Likewise for the second and third internship opportunities.
Student policies
After acceptance to the Institute you'll have access to the handbook, that covers such policies as:
- Must undertake a minimum of 2 study semesters (once enrolled at the Institute) prior to their internship semester
- Students must be physically located in Montreal in the semester prior to their internship to attend interviews
- With training, support and access to opportunities from the Institute, students are responsible for securing their internships
- A student who rescinds an accepted internship offer will be immediately withdrawn from the program and will be ineligible to re-apply in the future
- Anyone not proficient in French must be willing to do their internship outside of Quebec
- Students are responsible for paying Institute fees
- Students must complete all training, academic, reflective learning and Institute requirements as directed
- Students must return to an academic term during which they are taking only academic credits after the internship term, the last semester at the university cannot be on an internship
- Students may take one course during their internship with written permission of their employer; the course must not interfere with their internship
- The Institute must approve all internships and all employers
- Must be aware that the credits associated with their internship semester are complementary credits and do not contribute to the completion of their degree credits
Note: Students are responsible for knowing the rules, regulations, policies and deadlines in the Undergraduate Calendar. The Institute is not responsible should students encounter any difficulties registering for academic courses, paying tuition and fees and/or applying for graduation.
International students must be registered in a full-time course load during academic terms regardless of the above mentioned policies for Canadian students.
- International students should refer to the International Students Office for all questions regarding such matters including course registration requirements, immigration, work visa and student status
- International students will receive a letter of support from the Institute upon admission to the program in order to apply for their Co-op work permit. Students are responsible for completing the application process and obtaining the work permit as soon as possible
How to apply
Applications to join Undergraduate Co-op for current Concordia students are reviewed twice a year in September (fall admission) and in January (winter admission).
At the time of application to Concordia
- The preferred way to join Undergraduate Co-op is to check off “I want to apply for the co-op option” when you submit your general Concordia application. You will obtain the result of your application to Undergraduate Co-op and further information on your letter of admission to Concordia.
Existing Concordia students
- Applications to join Undergraduate Co-op for current Concordia students are reviewed twice a year in September (fall 2022 admission) and in January (winter 2023 admission).
- Current Concordia students apply to Undergraduate Co-op based on your faculty
- To submit your application: You must use your student email account, log in to Office 365 and select your faculty below:
Applications for Concordia students to Undergraduate Co-op are now CLOSED.
Fall 2023 applications for existing Concordia students to Undergraduate Co-op are open from August 2023 to September 2023 (exact dates coming in August 2023).
Students will be advised of their admission status within 3 weeks after the closure of application period. Admission is highly competitive, and admission is not guaranteed regardless of academic performance.
You must use your student email account, log in to Office 365 and select your faculty below.
Current Concordia students can apply to join Undergraduate Co-op provided they meet the requirements for their specific department and have sufficient credits remaining in their degree to fit three work terms. Students must be admitted to Undergraduate Co-op with a minimum of 60 credits remaining in their degree as shown in their student record.
