Join the Co-op program to jump-start your career by gaining valuable experience in the growing Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector with focus on the software and computer services industries. Our students get to work in some of the hottest areas such as data sciences, enterprise software development, mobile applications, telecommunications, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, video gaming, consumer devices, project management, business analysis, and academic research to name a few. While a majority of our employers are from the Lower Mainland we have been able to create opportunities and place students in other parts of Canada, the U.S.A., Asia, and Europe.
Application Deadlines
There are several entry points for admission to the Computer Science Co-op Program. All options will provide you with a similar Co-op experience. Since Co-op placements are competitive, good academic grades and personal projects play an important role in securing a Co-op placement. Therefore, if you are not ready to take CPSC 210 in first year, then take this course either in the summer after your first year or in your second year.
- First year students – apply in Term 2 (early March) - Your first work term will start in year 2, term 2.
- Second year or Transfer students – apply either in Term 1 (early October) OR in Term 2 (early March)
Students who take CPSC 121 and/or 210 in the summer after their first year can apply in their second year, term 1. The difference in applying in term 1 or term 2 means a different start time for your first work term. Students typically start their first work term one year after their application term. If you apply in term 1, then your first work term will start in September the following year. If you apply in term 2, then your first work term will start in January the following year.
Computer Science (BSc)
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 1 (Term 2) | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 2 (Term 1) | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
| 2 (Term 2) | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Computer Science (BA)
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 2 (Term 1) | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
| 2 (Term 2) | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 3 (Term 1) | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
Computer Science (BCom)
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 1 (Term 2) | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 2 (Term 1) | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
| 2 (Term 2) | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 3 (Term 1) | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS)
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 1 (Term 1) | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
| 1 (Term 2) | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
BCS students start their first work term one year after their application term.
Application requirements
When applying, the Computer Science Co-op applicant must:
- Have a minimum cumulative average of B- (68%)
- Be a full time student, majoring in Computer Science
- Be in the process of applying to Computer Science as your major, if you currently do not have a declared major
- Students who currently have a declared major should apply to the Co-op program of their current major. If you have been accepted by the Co-op program of your current major and later transfer your major to Computer Science, then we will work with your former Co-op Coordinator to transfer you to Computer Science Co-op
- Have a minimum of 27 credits remaining in your degree at the time of application (excluding the current term)
- Consistently achieve at least class average in Computer Science courses.
- Have completed CPSC 110 and are in the process of completing CPSC 121 and CPSC 210 (or have completed transfer equivalents)
- BCS (second bachelor’s degree) applicants should be in the process of completing CPSC 110
- Demonstrate maturity as well as strong communication, self-motivation, time management and teamwork skills
- Be flexible and willing to relocate outside of Vancouver
Learn more about the Computer Science Co-op Program from this file.
Work terms schedules
Computer Science (BSc) - Schedule A: Spring Application
(*This is the only term that accepts applicants who currently do not have a major and will have their major finalized in June/July.)
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 + Apply to Co-op | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| 3 | Study Term 4 | Study Term 5 | Work Term 3 |
| 4 | Work Term 4 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 5 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
Computer Science (BSc) - Schedule B: Fall Application
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 + Apply to Co-op | Study Term 4 | - |
| 3 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 |
| 4 | Study Term 5 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 4 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
Computer Science (BCS) - Fall Application
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 + Apply to Co-op | Study Term 2 | Study Term 3 |
| 2 | Work Term 1 | Study Term 4 | Work Term 2 |
| 3 | Study Term 5 | Study Term 6 | - |
Computer Science (BA or BCom) - Spring Application
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 + Apply to Co-op | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| 4 | Study Term 6 | Study Term 7 | Work Term 3 |
| 5 | Study Term 8 | - | - |
Computer Science (BA or BCom) - Fall Application
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 + Apply to Co-op | Study Term 6 | - |
| 4 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
Sample Jobs and Companies
Alida - Software Developer
What you will learn from us: Languages: C#, HTML5, JavaScript UI Frameworks (JQuery, AngularJS, ReactJS), CSS3, NodeJS, Python, .NET Technologies.
Databases: SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Redshift.
Testing: NUnit, Selenium, Specflow.
AWS Services: Virtual Servers, Load Balancing, Lambda, S3, CloudFront, Redshift, API Gateway, Glue, Kinesis and many others.
Frameworks: Terraform and serverless.com. Fast-paced agile environment with one-week sprints. Continuous integration, continuous delivery. Test driven development, paired programming.
Blackbird Interactive - Software Engineer
Required Qualifications: C# programming experience, or knowledge of C++ or Java and ability to learn quickly. Ability to refine loose requirements and work independently in a fastpaced collaborative environment. Brains, enthusiasm, and a desire to innovate. This position is best suited to an experienced student.
Other Desirable Qualifications: Linear algebra and trigonometry; profiling and optimization; game development experience; RTS game playing experience.
Ping Identity - Software Quality Engineer
You Will: Build test plans and test cases and perform manual tests. Enhance our test automation framework. Identify and document software defects and work with developers to verify fixes. Stage test environments to reproduce customer reported issues. Participate in requirements, design and code reviews
You Have: Experience with Java. Understanding of object-oriented programming concepts, design patterns and algorithms. Experience with standard development tools, including: IDEs (IntelliJ or Eclipse), source control (Git), build (Maven) and CI tools (Jenkins). Familiarity with HTTP and REST APIs.
SAP - Product Manager
Skills and Competencies Preferred: Demonstrated business skills combined with technology-oriented training. Is a big picture thinker who can conceptualize and solve problems that span relevant disciplines and domains. Can independently drive initiatives. Is well organized with a project-like approach to structuring work assignments. Has ability to work collaboratively with groups in various functional areas of SAP, both locally and remotely. Has strong written and verbal communication skills. Likes to work in a team environment, driving initiatives independently and jointly. Likes to contribute to the plans and activities of other team members. Appeals to someone that likes to have specific objectives with flexibility in how to shape your own work. Likes to interact and have fun in the team. Nice to have some knowledge of our SAP products. Experience working with portal and collaboration technologies a benefit. Can commit for an 8-month full time internship.