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Co-operative Education

International opportunities

Our international co-op opportunities are clustered within the following 5 programs, representing specific regions of the world. Positions available through these programs are posted in the Co-op and Career portal.

Asia

 This program can connect you with co-op opportunities in China, Japan and other parts of Asia.

China

If you're an engineering student, you can apply for this research co-op to work on research projects with faculty members at Beihang University. You'll receive free accommodations on campus and you'll also be eligible for the Mitacs Globalink Research Award (up to $5,000).

Japan

If you're studying physics or biology, you could embark on this exciting research work term through the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology to conduct physical and biological oceanography research. There is an emphasis on oceanographic data analysis (involving computing) and sometimes an opportunity to participate in an ocean-going research cruise. You'll also help with English language training as part of your work term experience.

The Canada-Japan Co-op Program connects Canadian engineering and science undergraduate students with Japanese businesses. This program can enhance your academic studies in Canada with valuable work experience at a Japanese company. The program is administered by the University of British Columbia (UBC), but you must be recommended by the UVic international co-op coordinator to be accepted.

Krgyzstan

Complete a co-op with the University of Central Asia (UCA) and help the UCA co-op and internship program with communications, networking events and job support services. You could qualify for  Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) funding for this co-op. Co-op opportunities are available year round.

Vietnam

If you're studying in the Faculities of Science or Engineering, you could apply for a research related co-op work term with Vietnam National University (VNU). You could also be eligible for a $6,000 scholarship through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships.

Other Asian countries

Many other work term opportunities are generated through our job development efforts and connections with Canadian Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Search for postings on the Co-op and Career portal or talk to our international coordinator (intlcoopcoord@uvic.ca) if you'd like to discuss these or other work abroad opportunities. 

Commonwealth

If you're studying science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), you could complete a co-op term in Australia and Africa through this program.

Australia

If you're an Indigenous co-op student, you may be able to travel to Australia to take part in a unique Indigenous co-op exchange. You'll complete a work term that connects you to Indigenous people and communities in Australia, while Indigenous students will travel to Victoria to take part in UVic's LE,NONET program and complete a community internship. Partner institutions include:

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

Through this partnership, you could complete a four-month co-op work term at Aga Khan Development Network institutions in East Africa. Placements are organized through the Aga Khan University International Internship Program (AKU-IIP). Opportunities are available year-round on the AKU website.

Europe

Austria and Germany

Through this program, your could travel to the FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences in Austria and the Baden-Wuerttemberg Co-operative State University in Germany and complete co-op work terms at companies in these countries.

A unique feature of CANEU-COOP is the eight-month "twinning" concept. Once you’re selected to go on exchange, you'll be matched with a "twin" from a European partner institution who will be coming to Canada for an academic term at UVic. They will also be your twin during your co-op work term in Europe. This twinning concept allows both twins to support each other during their exchange terms abroad and fosters international friendships and connections.

Belgium

If you're studying UVic engineering students or exercise science, physical and health education, you could spend a research-based work term with Mobilab in Belgium, while students from Thomas More University College will spend a work term with CanAssist .

France

Kinesiology and engineering co-op students can complete a research-oriented work term at Université Polytechnique Hauts-De-France in France.

South America

Brazil

You can apply to take part in this exchange to complete a research-oriented co-op work term on one of the UNESP campuses in Brazil.

You application should include an expression of interest indicating your areas of research interest and the contributions you can make to the research. Applications are then matched with interested faculty members at UNESP.

Successful students are also eligible for the Mitacs Globalink Research Award (up to $6,000).

Chile

Our partner institution in Chile, Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM) offers research opportunities in various disciplines. These four-month work terms will help you develop your Spanish language skills, your research skills and your cultural intelligence. Specific positions are posted in the Co-op and Career portal as they become available.

Southeast Asia

You could work and participate in community engagement in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam through this program. You may be eligible for a $6,000 scholarship through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships.

Thailand

You could complete a co-op work term with Western Digital (Thailand) through this program. Positions are usually for the fall term and are posted in April.

Vietnam

Through this partnership, you could complete a four-month co-op work term with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Training Centre (SEAMEO RETRAC) in Vietnam.

USA

We've developed a strong network of employer relationships in the USA.

Engineering opportunities with organizations like Tesla Motors and Microsoft are regularly posted on the Co-op and Career portal. You must secure a J-1 visa before leaving on a work term in the USA.