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Co-op Program

The York University Co-op Program provides students in specific programs with an opportunity to integrate their classroom learning with hands-on, paid work experiences related to their field of study. While completing their work terms, co-op students apply their classroom learning in a work environment, explore potential career options, and build relationships with colleagues and employers.

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Co-op Program Application Process

Self-assess your eligibility. Review the co-op program terms and academic requirements.

Attend a Science Co-op Information Session. (Register on Experience York).

Complete required sessions: Resume Fundamentals for co-op; Interview Fundamentals for co-op. (Register on Experience York).

Submit the co-op Program application form (Passport York login required)

Eligibility

The Faculty of Science currently offers co-op opportunities for students who are full-time students with at least 18 credits remaining before they enter their work term, in one of the following programs of study:

BIOCHEMISTRY

BIOLOGY

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

BIOMEDICAL PHYSICS (BIOPHYSICS)

BIOTECHNOLOGY

CHEMISTRY

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

FSc-Coop-astronomy

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY

MATHEMATICS FOR EDUCATION

MATHEMATICS

DATA SCIENCE

STATISTICS
(Newly Added)

APPLIED MATHEMATICS
(Newly Added)

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY (Newly Added)

NEUROSCIENCE
(Newly Added)

ACTUARIAL SCIENCE icon

ACTUARIAL SCIENCE
(Newly Added)

Benefits of Co-op

Co-op gives students the opportunity to gain professional, paid work experiences related to their program of study. Each job is approved by York University to ensure that students are engaging in productive and meaningful work in their respective disciplines. Other benefits include:

Gaining hands-on work experience before you graduate

Earning income as all co-op positions are full-time and paid

Networking with professionals in your field

Learning by applying classroom knowledge in a professional work environment

Co-op Program FAQs

Students must be enrolled full-time.

Students must have an overall cumulative GPA at 5.0 and a Major GPA of 5.0.
* New for Fall 2026 applicants: major GPA of 5.0 is no longer required.

Completed three required sessions (Please register on Experience York)

  • Co-op Information Session
  • Resume and Cover Letter Fundamentals Workshop
  • Interview Fundamentals Workshop

Prior to first work term:

  • have completed at least 45 credits
  • have 18 credits remaining to complete Honours degree
  • for Data Science, students must be enrolled in or have completed MATH 2130 3.00 and MATH 2131 3.00 at the time of application.

Co-op is available to both domestic and international students.

Our co-op program has been designed to provide multiple pathways and flexibility to achieve your desired co-op employment goals. More sequences will be discussed in co-op information sessions and individual consultations but the two examples below showcase just a fraction of the combinations you might choose as a co-op student to increase your employment length and opportunities for learning.

SAMPLE SEQUENCE 1:
YearFall (Sept-Dec)Winter (Jan-Apr)Summer (May-Aug)
1STUDYSTUDYOFF
2STUDYSTUDY/JOB SEARCHWORK
3STUDYSTUDY/JOB SEARCHWORK
4WORKWORKWORK
5STUDYSTUDYGRADUATE

SAMPLE SEQUENCE 2:

YearFall (Sept-Dec)Winter (Jan-Apr)Summer (May-Aug)
1STUDYSTUDYOFF
2STUDYSTUDYOFF
3STUDYWORKWORK
4WORKSTUDY/JOB SEARCHWORK
5STUDYSTUDYGRADUATE

SAMPLE SEQUENCE 3:

YearFall (Sept-Dec)Winter (Jan-Apr)Summer (May-Aug)
1STUDYSTUDYOFF
2STUDYSTUDYOFF
3STUDYSTUDYJOB SEARCH
4WORKWORKWORK
5STUDYSTUDYGRADUATE
*Note: There must be at least one term of full-time studies after the last work term. You are welcome to meet with the Co-op Coordinator to discuss how to plan your study-work sequence.

Yes, all co-op positions are paid. You will be working full-time with your employer for the duration of the Co-op.

Undergraduate students are considered full-time if they are registered in a course load of at least 60% or 9.00 credits in each term. If you are an undergraduate student with a permanent disability, you are considered full-time if you are registered in a course load of at least 40% or 6.00 credits in each term.

Program Enrollment Fee – $200 (This fee is to cover the costs of providing customized job search and career support services for co-op students, access to the co-op job posting board and the overall administration of the program.) *This fee is subject to change with annual reviews.

Work term courses (per course, i.e., for each four-month work term) – $500 *fees are subject to change with annual Associated Course Fee (ACF) reviews.

Yes. Upper-year student can still apply as long as you have at least 18 remaining credits prior to your first co-op work term.

The eligibility requirements are the same for both domestic students and international students. On April 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the rules applicable to international students who wish to participate in university approved student work placements, commonly referred to as "co-ops" or "internships". 

To be eligible international students must be registered in York University's Co-op Program and hold a valid study permit that includes the condition that says you're allowed to work "on campus". With this condition, work placements can be obtained on or off campus. A separate co-op work permit is not required.  For more information, visit the IRCC website, or contact the International Student Advising and Immigration Specialist Team.

Interested in connecting? We’d love to answer your questions. Join us during group drop-ins via Zoom. The link is: York University Portal - Experience YU - Events. This is the fastest way to connect with the co-op team and no registration is needed. Can’t make it to our drop-in hours?  Email our office at askcoop@yorku.ca, please include “Science Co-op” in the subject line of your email.”