Co-operative education (co-op) is an education model that alternates a student's academic learning with paid work terms in fields relevant to their academic and personal goals.

Why Laurier?

• Program selection and variety: More than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in arts, business, economics and science programs. We have the largest business degree co-op program in Canada and the first of its kind in Ontario.
• Year-round availability: Students begin work in January, May or September for 4, 8, 12, or 16 months.
• Bright and talented students: Most co-op programs are limited in enrolment and students have been pre-screened through a competitive admissions process.
• Engaged and committed students: Our students participate in national case competitions, lead student clubs and organizations, volunteer and participate in entrepreneurial endeavours.
• Location: Our Waterloo and Brantford campuses are located within the Toronto/Waterloo technology corridor.
• Responsive service: For more than 45 years, we have been meeting employer needs by providing the best personal service.
• Accredited co-op programs: Most of Laurier’s co-op programs are accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) and are eligible for the Ontario Co-op Tax Credit.

Commitment to Employment Equity

The Department of Co-operative Education encourages all employers recruiting at Laurier to express their commitment to employment equity on job descriptions by inviting applications from all qualified women and men, including persons in a visible minority, persons with disabilities and aboriginal people. Employers are also encouraged to identify physical accessibility requirements on job postings.

What Employers Say

Employer Video

Co-op employer and Lazaridis School BBA alumnus Bill Webb, Partner at Waypoint Investment Partners, recently spoke about his career in finance and the impact of rugby on his career. At minute 3.28 he speaks about his co-op experience and at minute 11 he speaks about the reasons he hired 135 co-op students while at Gluskin Sheff + Associates. Watch the interview with Bill Webb here. 

Employer Testimonials

“The Laurier co-op program has been a first-rate experience for Zurich. The students come well prepared - eager to learn and develop in their early professional careers. They’ve continued to make significant contributions to our business, which is why we have expanded our partnership and hired many of the students back on a full-time basis after university.”

Robert Thom, Assistant Vice President
Zurich Canada (Toronto)

"The professionalism of co-op students from Laurier is absolutely amazing. I am continually in awe of how Laurier prepares them for the workplace. They come to work with us already having a polished approach and skills that set them up for success."

Roxanne Higgins, General Manager, Human Resources
Everlink Payment Services Inc., Markham