Length & Number of Work Terms

In order to receive a Co-op designation on your UBC transcript, you need to complete 3-4 work terms. Work terms are 4 months in length. Depending on your program schedule, you may complete 2 consecutive 4-month work placements, 3 or 4 separate ones, or a combination. As a result, students typically complete their degree in five years instead of the usual four. While it may take you longer to complete your degree, you are graduating with 12-16 months of paid work experience which puts you ahead of the game!

Typical Work/Study Schedule

Each student is in charge of determining their work/academic plan; however, there are some general guidelines you need to keep in mind when creating your schedule:

• At least one work term must be during the fall or winter terms; you cannot work during the summer sessions only. Fall and winter work terms are the least competitive, so try to do more than one term during these terms where possible.
• Normally, students do not do more than 2 back-to-back work terms.
• Normally, you need to end on an academic term. Permission from a Co-op Coordinator is needed to end on a work term.
• Try to complete a co-op work term within the first year of being in the program, so you can practice the co-op pre-employment training before it’s forgotten.
• Whenever possible, try to complete one co-op work term before going on exchange. It’s much easier to do interviews in person, and be able to meet with the co-op staff for support when you’re in Vancouver.

Use the following as a guide to determine a schedule based on your courses and other UBC plans:

Mandatory Workshops

If you are admitted into the program, you will participate in specialized training just for co-op students. Learn all the important aspects of applying for jobs, and how to increase your success of finding work while you’re in the program, and also for when you graduate. These pre-employment workshops are mandatory, so you’ll need to adjust your schedules accordingly in order to attend.

Co-op Fees

There is a one-time program and workshop fee of $216.48 due when you join the program. In addition, for every work term you complete, you are registered in a Co-op Course (ASTU) and pay the course tuition fee, which is currently $662.46. Registration in the ASTU course maintains your full-time student status with the university and is mandatory. You will receive 3-credits per co-op (ASTU) course; however, ASTU courses DO NOT count towards your academic degree requirements. Therefore, Co-op students complete 132 credits in order to receive a degree with a co-op designation which consists of 120 academic credits, plus 12 non-academic co-op credits. In addition, international students will need to arrange and pay for the work visa that entitles you to work in Canada or the country in which you obtain a job.

Co-op Wage Structure

Here are average monthly salaries by work term number; note that salaries vary depending on the sector you’re working in, how much previous experience you have, and the level of responsibility in the position.

Click to enlarge

On average, Arts Co-op students earn $30,000-40,000 over 3-4 work terms.

On an hourly basis, co-op students earn between $12-14 per; however, wages can vary greatly depending on the sector.  Here is an approximate breakdown, based on an hourly wage*:

Non-profit organizations -  $8 – 12

Private business -  $10 – 14   (wages can be higher in the high-tech sector, but are not the average)

Government -  $10 – 17 (senior co-op students will earn more than junior co-op students)

* Note that effective May 1, 2011, minimum wage in BC increased to $8.75/hour. On November 1, 2011, it will increase to $9.50, then to $10.25 on May 1, 2012.

While Co-op can be a good method to assist you in financing your degree, money should not be the primary consideration for participating in the program. Wages are based on current labour market realities, are up to the employer to determine, and are common with most Arts Co-op Programs across the province.

Student Loans & Scholarships

Students who qualify for student loans maintain their full-time student status even while they are on a work term.  You are expected to declare your co-op earnings, just like other earnings (from a part-time job, for example).  The Awards & Financial Aid Office suggests that Co-op students apply for student loans on a term-by-term basis rather than on a whole year basis.

Co-op students may be eligible to receive scholarships, provided they satisfy particular guidelines. It is your responsibility to maintain the requirements of your scholarship while on Co-op.

For details about student loans or your scholarship status while in the Co-op Program, visit http://www.students.ubc.ca/finance/index.cfm.