Arts Co-operative Education Program

Students accepted into the Arts Co-op program are charged a $50 administrative fee which will appear on the ‘Financials’ section of their Student Centre in the weeks following their admission. 

Students on their work terms retain their full-time student status, and this is made possible through their enrollment in a course called ‘COOP 511’. Students are charged for this single course each work term, and the fee is assessed under the Domestic and International Fee Rate Group CI. Please see the academic calendar for the most up-to-date information about tuition and fees. Students will also be charged general fees as they would any other semester that they are enrolled in courses.

Please note: even though students are charged tuition for one course per work term, this course does NOT count toward their GPA or toward the number of academic units required to complete their degree. 

Yes. Students who are successful in securing 3 work terms can expect to extend their degree by about one year. This is because students are only permitted to take one academic course per (roughly) 4-month work term, and we often encourage students to refrain from taking academic courses altogether while their working in order to maintain a healthy work/life balance. 

No. We refrain from referring to work term ‘placements’, as we do not actually match you with an employer. Students in Co-op apply for positions like they would any regular job; however, they have access to a designated Arts Co-op job board with postings from employers specifically looking to hire students. This means that employers hiring Co-op students understand that these students won’t necessarily have a wealth of work experience. 

If you join the program, you will also be assigned a designated Co-op Advisor, who can help you develop your resume and cover letter and prepare for interviews. You will also have access to a suite of professional development resources to help you put your best foot forward when applying for positions. 

No, students do not receive academic credit for their Co-op work terms (although we are hopeful this may change in the future). If you complete all three of your Co-op work terms, you will receive a special Co-op degree designation upon graduation. This designation may give you a competitive advantage when applying for positions post-graduation, as it signifies that you have a year of paid, relevant work experience under your belt in addition to your academic accomplishments. 

Yes! However, you must be legally permitted to work full-time in Canada in fall and winter terms. Please also note that some Co-op positions will only be open to Canadian citizens or those with permanent residency, for funding reasons. 

If you are an International Student considering the Co-op program or have already been accepted into the program, there are a few things to take into consideration:

1. Work permits

   International students in the Co-op program must apply for a Co-op work permit. The permit is free, but the application process can be lengthy, so apply early! Be sure to attend a UCalgary International info session for further details.

   Apply for work permit
    

2. International student fees

   International students pay a differential fee along with regular tuition and general fees while on work terms. Be sure to pay it by the deadline, or your registration and admission will be cancelled. Change to your immigration status? Provide proof of your new status to the Office of the Registrar by the payment deadline.

   View tuition rates for Co-op work terms

We recommend connecting with International Student Services (ISS), who can provide support and customized advising for all international students adjusting to studying at the University of Calgary.