Canada's co-operative education system is the most developed in the world, giving international students the ability to earn CAD $60,000–$150,000 during their degree, graduate with two years of professional experience, and accumulate Canadian work experience that directly supports permanent residency. This is the definitive guide to co-op in Canada for international students in 2026. StudentBuddy helps you find the right co-op programme, compare universities, and book student accommodation in Canada.
Co-op programmes alternate 4-month academic terms with 4-month paid work terms at real employers. University of Waterloo is the world's largest co-op university with 6 work terms in most 5-year programmes. Students earn CAD $18–$75+/hour during co-op, generating $60,000–$150,000 over a degree. Co-op work experience in Canada on a co-op permit counts toward Express Entry CEC for PR.
How Canadian co-op works
Co-op alternates 4-month academic terms with 4-month paid professional work terms throughout your degree. Students apply for each co-op position through their university's platform, interview with employers, and are matched through a structured process. The University of Waterloo's WaterlooWorks platform processes thousands of positions per hiring cycle with employers including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Shopify, and every major Canadian bank.
Best co-op universities in Canada
| University | Scale | Best programmes | Avg co-op CAD/term | Top employers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Waterloo | World's largest | CS, Engineering, Math | $14K–$30K+ | Google, Amazon, Shopify |
| University of Victoria | Very large | Engineering, Business, CS | $8K–$18K | BC Government, CAE |
| Simon Fraser University | Large | Computing, Engineering | $9K–$20K | EA, SAP, TELUS |
| University of Ottawa | Medium | Engineering, CS, Business | $8K–$16K | Government of Canada |
| UBC | Available | Engineering, Science, Business | $10K–$22K | Amazon, Microsoft |
How co-op builds your Canadian PR case
Co-op work experience in Canada under an authorised co-op work permit endorsement is classified as Canadian work experience for immigration purposes. If your co-op roles are NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 — which virtually all professional co-op placements are — they accumulate toward the 1-year Canadian work experience requirement for Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Waterloo co-op students graduating with 2 years of TEER 1 technology work experience are immediately eligible for CEC upon receiving their PGWP.
Heading to a Canadian co-op university? Find co-op-friendly accommodation.
Browse StudentBuddy for verified student housing near Waterloo, SFU, UVic, and other co-op universities — with flexible lease options that work with the co-op cycle.
Find student accommodation in Canada →Frequently asked questions
Yes. Co-op work in Canada in NOC TEER 0–3 occupations counts toward Express Entry CEC. Waterloo CS students can have 2 years of qualifying experience before graduation.
Yes, a co-op work permit endorsement on your study permit is required. Your university arranges this through IRCC.
First terms are most competitive. By third and fourth terms, students with strong records routinely secure top employers. Technical portfolios and interview prep are essential.
Yes, but only Canadian co-op work counts toward PR.
For technology and engineering students, absolutely — co-op earnings, experience, and employment outcomes consistently outweigh the extra year.
