To participate in the CO-OP program, you must be a full-time student, taking at least 12 credits each study semester and finish your degree with a full-time study semester.

Undergraduate programs

There are two ways to apply for CO-OP.

When you apply for admission to the University of Ottawa

Submit an application to the CO-OP program of your choice (excluding translation and biomedical sciences programs). In order to be considered, you must have a minimum admission average of:

  • 80% if you’re applying directly from high school and are accepted into first year or 
  • 75% if you’ve completed at least two years of CEGEP.

Once your CO-OP application has been approved, a spot will be reserved for you. However, you must have the minimum average required in order to be officially accepted into the program. 

Once you’ve started your studies at uOttawa

Submit an application to the CO-OP Program via uoZone. 

  • In most undergraduate programs: apply before September 30 of their second year

  • In accounting, physics, biomedical science and biopharmaceutical science programs: apply before Feb 1 of their second year

  • In biotechnology, chemistry and translation programs: apply before September 30 of their third year

  • In data science and the integrated physics and electrical engineering programs: apply before Feb 1 of their third year.

Master’s level

You must have begun your studies at uOttawa before you can apply to a CO-OP program. You must have an average of 75% (B+) or higher to be admitted.

You must apply before September 30 of their first year.

Check the admission requirements and application deadlines as they vary from one discipline to another.

Depending on whether your CGPA has increased or decreased, we may change your position on the waiting list. Be aware, however, that a limited number of CO-OP students are accepted into each program. Your position on the waiting list may also change as a result of the number of applications we receive. 

In most programs, you have to maintain an average of 80% (8.0) or higher in your first year (or in your first and second year for programs where the first placement will be in your third year).  

You must subsequently remain in good academic standing (as determined by the requirements of your program). 

If your average drops below the minimum required to stay in the CO-OP Program (usually a CGPA of 6.0 for undergraduate programs and 7.0 for master’s programs), you’ll have two sessions to bring your average back up before you may be asked to withdraw from the program. In order to obtain a CO-OP attestation on your diploma, you must finish your degree with an average equal to or higher than the admission average. 

After this period, you will have to withdraw from the co-op program.  

To obtain the CO-OP mention on your diploma, you must complete your studies with at least the admission average. 

If your application was declined because of your average:

For programs where the first placements takes place in the Summer session: 

  • If you bring your CGPA up to at least the minimum required for the program by the end of the Fall session, you’ll automatically be placed on a waiting list. If a space opens up and you still meet the admission criteria, your application will be considered for four work terms, starting in the summer and then according to the regular schedule for placements. 

For programs where the first placement takes place in the Winter session: 

  • If you’re successful in bringing your CGPA up by the end of the Summer session to the minimum required for the program, or higher, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list. If a space opens up and you still meet the admission criteria, your application will then be considered.

If your application was declined because you’re missing one or more prerequisite courses for the program, you won’t be able to follow the mandatory sequence and can’t be admitted at another time.