Health Sciences Co-op
Prospective Students
Apply as early as first year - the sooner the better. If you're interested in joining Co-op, but not sure if you meet our requirements, please contact scicoop@sfu.ca.
Application Requirements
Faculty of Health Sciences Student
The Health Sciences Co-op program is admitting undergraduate students pursing or intending a major or minor in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Academic Requirements
- 2.5 CGPA and 30-80 units completed when applying for Co-op
- Commitment to completing 3 work terms
- Completion of the Co-op Application Form
Please visit the Co-op Student Guide for more information on how to participate within the Co-operative Education Program
Work Permits for International Students
International students are required to obtain a valid Co-op work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before applying to SFU Co-op jobs. Once accepted into the Co-op program, you will be issued a letter to include in your work permit application. We recommend applying for the work permit as early as possible, as processing times can be lengthy.
Got Time?
Involvement in HSCI Co-op requires a significant commitment from you. You’ll want to consider these points carefully before applying.
Success in Co-op means a time commitment. Co-op students say that applying for Co-op jobs is like taking an extra course. You’ll compete against university students across Canada for jobs. Writing cover letters, preparing for interviews, attending Co-op workshops... it all takes time and effort. Like most good things, the more you put in, the better the payoff.
At least 3 additional semesters
All undergraduate students are expected to complete at least 3 work terms, ideally, 4, alternating between work and study semesters. Students not intending to complete at least 3 work terms will not be admitted.
Immerse yourself
In the same semester, you apply to Co-op, you’ll be immersed in a professional pre-employment program which includes coaching in resumes, cover letters, portfolios and interview preparation.
Stay the course
Remember: only tailored, flawless applications get you shortlisted. Spend the time to create customized documents and you’ll get results.
Don't worry
Don't worry if you didn't get a job immediately. Many of our students are placed late in the semester. Some of our best jobs are posted later in the semester.
It's competitive
Acceptance into Co-op does not guarantee your placement in a specific work term. Students apply for posted positions; employers decide who to interview and whom to hire.
Plan
Plan to apply 2 semesters prior to your first work term. Apply as early as the first year; the earlier, the better.
Success can be a moving target
Some of our best co-op students are not placed in the first semester they try.
Co-op is about learning what type of work you like and don't like. We encourage our Co-op students to apply for jobs that cross diverse fields during education. By the time you graduate, you’ll have formed ideas about the type of work environment you’re best suited to, and these will be grounded in real life work experience.
| Work in Spring | Work in Summer | Work in Fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | June 1 | October 1 | February 1 |