The UBC Arts Co-op Program offers undergraduate and graduate students in the Faculty of Arts enriched educational experiences for personal and professional growth.

We work closely with employers and community partners from across British Columbia, Canada and around the world to provide unique workplace learning opportunities for UBC Arts Co-op students.

Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, we are a community of staff, students, faculty members, and alumni all working together to support students’ career growth.

The UBC Arts Co-op Program offers students enriched educational experiences for personal and professional growth by working with diverse community partners and sectors to provide transformative workplace learning. The UBC Arts Co-op Program aims to:

  • Provide students with opportunities for career exploration, and support their diversification of experience and skill sets
  • Develop skilled professionals who can strengthen the workforce in new and innovative ways
  • Enable students to be engaged citizens who contribute positively to a global society
  • Build student capacity for leadership
  • Foster student and alumni connections to UBC as well as the local and international communities

Student Centred

Student experience is at the heart of all we do. We meet each student where they are in their career journey, recognizing and supporting each person’s strengths and aspirations.

Community

We nurture inclusive, caring, respectful communities in which students, employers, alumni, staff and faculty feel that they belong, connect and thrive.

Growth

We support our community to develop mindsets that intentionally build a foundation for continuous learning and growth.

Excellence

We are committed to continually evaluating and improving our work with integrity, transparency and innovation.

Joy

We foster an approach that helps individuals find joy, meaning and fulfillment in their work.

The UBC Arts Co-op Program welcomes, respects, and includes students with multiple and diverse backgrounds and identities, and seeks partnerships with workplaces that empower all members of the community.

The following UBC Arts Co-op programs have been accredited by CEWIL Canada, having met standards of quality for co-operative education programming:

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Bachelor of International Economics
  • Bachelor of Media Studies
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs

CEWIL Canada sets accreditation standards that establish co-operative education as a valid and valuable educational strategy and provide guidance in ensuring quality co-op programming across Canada.

The UBC Arts Co-op Program started as a pilot program for students in the Department of English. As a result of the growth and success over the past 20+ years, our program is thriving and includes students across all undergraduate disciplines within the Faculty of Arts. We also offer graduate co-op programs in the UBC iSchool, Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA), and select MA and PhD programs.

 

Since Our Program’s Inception

* Data as of 2022/23 Academic Year

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8,652 work terms

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$84.3 M student earnings

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623 work terms abroad


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44 countries where students have worked

20

years and counting