Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Answers Quickly About the Program

The following criteria are used to select the candidates who receive an offer of admission into our program:

Academic performance:

Students' grades are very important in the selection process. The actual grade cut-off varies from year to year, depending on the number of applicants and the University's internal policies.

Supplementary application form:

Each co-op application is carefully read and reviewed. The application helps us assess students' interest in their field, their interpersonal and communication skills, and special interests — all of which are important attributes of a successful co-op student.

Work or volunteer experience:

Work or volunteer experience in your field of interest, though not required, will significantly strengthen your application. It demonstrates genuine interest in your field, prepares you for working in a co-op work environment and demonstrates initiative.

 

Yes. Students can apply to an Arts & Science Co-op Program if they are from another Arts & Science program at the University of Toronto or from another university.

Each application is assessed individually to determine if the student meets the admission requirements (or equivalent). In some cases, students may receive transfer credits for equivalent courses completed at other institutions or in other programs.

 

Application deadlines vary from year to year. Please visit the Admissions & Student Recruitment website for details.

 

If you're applying to co-op from outside of UTSC (i.e., from high school or transferring from another university), our Admissions office will be in touch with you with next steps. 

 

If you're in a program requiring three work terms, your first work term typically begins after your first three terms of study.

If you're in a program requiring two work terms, your first work term typically begins at some point in your second year.

 

Each work term is a maximum of 16 weeks (four months) and a minimum of 12 weeks (three months).

Occasionally, co-op students take double work terms, which are eight months in duration.

 

Yes, students do have a choice in where they complete their work term.

Students must apply to co-op positions and be interviewed by co-op employers. A student is only matched with an employer if both the student and employer are mutually interested.

 

Yes. Co-op students are paid on work terms.

The rate of pay varies, depending on your year of study, previous work experience, the industry that you're working in, and the organization that you're working for.

UTSC Arts & Science Co-op Average Income (2019):

Program area Average wage / hour
Arts $18.12
Science $17.23
Psychology & Health Science $15.84
Technology $21.62

 

Co-op employers look for a variety of skills and attributes. There is no one set of courses or skills that can prepare students for all positions.

Our required courses are excellent preparation for the technical requirements of your work term. However, some elective courses may assist you in coping with the other demands of your work environment.

Courses you may want to consider as electives include Introduction to Management, as well as courses that will help sharpen your communication and interpersonal skills, preparing you for work in team-based project environments.

 

The academic program for the co-op programs is usually identical to the non-co-op programs. The main difference is that students in the co-op program must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.50 (B-) or higher.

Students in non-co-op programs do not have to meet this requirement.

Detailed course information is available in the U of T Scarborough Course Calendar

 

Yes, all students in the co-op program must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.50 (B-).

The Co-op Director and the Office of the Registrar review each student's grades at the end of each academic session. Any student whose CGPA is between 2.3 to 2.5 will be put on probation.

If a student's CGPA falls below 2.3, they are removed from the co-op program.

We advertise to our co-op employers that our students all have an average of at least a B-. This assures them that our co-op students meet high standards of academic excellence.

 

Yes, co-op students are required to pay a special fee.

This fee is payable for the 1st eight terms in which you are either registered in courses or on a work term.

Students entering after first year pay six installments at a slightly higher rate. Generally, students will have completed paying their co-op fees by the end of third year.

Consult the 'Co-op fees' section of this site for a current fee schedule.

 

Students are required to pay their co-op fee in their first year.

The full cost of the program is spread out over your first 6 or 8 terms to minimize the financial burden on students in any particular year.

Although you are not placed in your first year, first year co-op students complete a number of job search preparation workshops and activities. These activities include networking events, industry information sessions, career exploration, and navigating the world of work seminars.

You will also have access to volunteer and part-time opportunities, as well as seminars to help increase your marketability to co-op employers.

Fees are reviewed annually.

For information, please visit the Office of the Registrar's website.

 

All co-op students can apply to any University of Toronto scholarship or award for which they are eligible. All awards are listed in the course calendar.

For more information on awards, scholarships, or the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), please visit the Office of the Registrar's website.

 

The University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) Arts & Science Co-op Program receives excellent reviews from our co-op employers and graduates.

While on work terms, many of our students' skills surpass the expectations of their employers.

Many of the positions posted on our co-op website are posted simultaneously at other institutions, including the University of Waterloo, the University of Guelph, McMaster University and Ryerson University. As a result, our students have access to the same opportunities as students at other institutions.

We also have several co-op employers who post positions exclusively with UTSC because they have had such a positive experience with our students.