Experiential learning at Concordia
In 2022, Concordia made a commitment to offer every incoming undergraduate student at least one experiential learning opportunity during their studies and at least two by 2025.
Discover the six types of experiential learning at Concordia.
Students can search for EL opportunities to participate in by faculty, program, or by type.
Institute for Co-operative Education
Bridging university life and your career
4000+
co-op placements
1200+
courses with EL
16
field schools
2000+
partners
1100+
internships
130+
international opportunities
80
student societies
Connect Concordia mentorship program
Pairing undergraduates with employees to provide an enriching university experience for everyone.
Benefits
Experiential learning is a high-impact practice in higher education that benefits all stakeholders.
For students, EL allows them to contextualize what they learn in class, and help them to absorb, retain and apply knowledge in a way that is more profound than a traditional lecture-based course. The active engagement of the student in the learning experience enhances knowledge, professional and transferrable skills (such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc.), and attitudes (increased self-esteem, leadership, motivation, engagement in school and at work). These, in turn, help students build their resumes, their networks, and allow them to better realize their career aspirations. Overall, students develop an increased sense of preparedness for life and work.
For faculty and staff, positive student feedback and engagement lead to increased teaching and work satisfaction, an enhanced classroom environment, and potentially more research opportunities.
Industry, community, and other partners benefit from better-prepared graduates that enter the workforce and the world, and benefit from increased access to talent, resources, and state-of-the-art knowledge that students apply to help solve their problems.
The university benefits from enhanced reputation, increased enrolment, and retention of students, as well as increased civic engagement.
The impact on society is that students and graduates can more effectively contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of people in Quebec.
Examples of experiential learning in the faculties
Experiential learning news
Learn X by doing Y
Learn more about the Experiential Learning Office.