PEY Co-op program requirements

General

Notice of collection of personal information

Conduct

Eligibility

Fees

International students

PEY Co-op sequence

Completion and transcripts

Preparatory program requirements

Withdrawal and removal

Recruitment cycle

ECC Career Portal personal information

Work term employment requirements

Job applicants and interviews

Conducting an independent search

Job offers and acceptances

Work terms outside Canada

Work term

Changes to work term duration

Salary guides

Income tax and deductions

Work term deliverables

Taking courses during a work term

Student loans and work terms

General

Notice of collection of personal information

The University of Toronto respects your privacy. Personal information that you provide to the University is collected pursuant to section 2(14) of the University of Toronto Act, 1971. It is collected for the purpose of administering admissions, registration, academic programs, university-related student activities, activities of student societies, safety, financial assistance and awards, graduation and university advancement, and reporting to government agencies for statistical purposes. At all times it will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have questions, please refer to www.utoronto.ca/privacy or contact the University Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Coordinator at 416-946-7303, McMurrich Building, room 104, 12 Queen’s Park Crescent West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8.

Conduct

PEY Co-op students are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and respect towards all ECC staff, fellow students, and employer and alumni partners, whether the exchange is in person, over the phone, through email, or in a virtual meeting.  

Students must uphold the University of Toronto Student Code of Conduct and Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters throughout the PEY Co-op program including during recruitment cycles and work terms.  

Should a student engage in academic or professional misconduct, the ECC reserves the right to take appropriate action including removing the student from a recruitment cycle, issuing the student an NCR (no credit) for a work term, or removing the student from the PEY Co-op program as a whole.  

Eligibility

Engineering students 

Engineering students must meet and maintain the PEY Co-op eligibility requirements throughout the program:   

  • Remain enrolled as an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering (FASE) at the University of Toronto (U of T)
  • Remain enrolled in a full-time course load for the semester before and after each work term in the PEY Co-op program
    • Students with part-time status may be considered for the program if they have received accommodation from the University. Examples of accommodation include, but are not limited to:  having a reduced course-load accommodation with Accessibility Services, or being an active Varsity athlete. Students with PEY Co-op accommodation needs should contact registration.ecc@utoronto.ca.
  • Remain in good academic standing or proceeding on probation throughout the duration of the program and associated work terms.  
  • Remain in good financial standing at the University of Toronto.  
  • Not currently part of another co-op program at the University of Toronto.  
  • Both domestic and international students are eligible to participate. All international PEY Co-op students require a valid co-op work permit to participate in a 12-16 month work term.  

Engineering students may register for PEY Co-op at the time of their admission to FASE at U of T. They may also register for the program throughout first year, and the during first half of second year of their degree.  

University of Toronto Mississauga students 

University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) students must meet and maintain the PEY Co-op eligibility requirements throughout the program:   

  • Remain enrolled as an undergraduate student at UTM in one of the following programs: 
    • Information Security Specialist 
    • Bioinformatics Specialist 
    • Computer Science Specialist, Major, or Minor  
  • Complete CSC207H5 / CSC207H1 / CSCB07H3 in either the fall or winter sessions of their second year.
  • Remain enrolled in a full-time course load for the semester before and after each work term in the PEY Co-op program.  
    • Students with part-time status may be considered for the program if they have received accommodation from the University. Examples of accommodation include, but are not limited to: having a reduced course-load accommodation with Accessibility Services, or being an active Varsity athlete. Students with PEY Co-op accommodation needs should contact registration.ecc@utoronto.ca.
  • Remain in good academic standing throughout the duration of the program and associated work terms.  
  • Remain in good financial standing at the University of Toronto.  
  • Not currently part of another co-op program at the University of Toronto.  
  • Both domestic and international students are eligible to participate. All international PEY Co-op students require a valid co-op work permit to participate in a 12-16 month work term. Currently, only international students at UTM who are enrolled in an Information Security Specialist or Computer Science Specialist or Computer Science Major program meet this requirement.  

UTM students may register for PEY Co-op through the UTM Mathematical & Computational Sciences (MCS) department in the summer following the completion of 4.0 credits. 

Engineering and UTM students must communicate with the ECC as soon as possible if there are any changes to their student program eligibility.

Fee information for PEY Co-op students  

PEY Co-op fees are posted centrally, through the Student Accounts Office website. Understanding how to navigate this site is critical to ensuring you know what fees you will be charged on ACORN as a registered PEY Co-op student and on what schedule.  

To locate your applicable PEY Co-op fees:  

Step 1: Go to the Student Accounts Office website 

Locate the link that corresponds with the information you are looking for (for example if you are seeking fees associated with the current fall-winter term, click on Current Fall-Winter fee and Refund schedules). Please note that PEY Co-op fee instalments are viewable in Fall/Winter fee schedules only. 

 

Step 2: Selection of fee schedules 

The site will provide you with direction on what links to click based on your faculty or campus of study. PEY Co-op fees for all students are posted in the fee schedules for “Applied Science and Engineering, Faculty of – Undergraduate”. This applies to both Engineering and University of Toronto, Mississauga (UTM) students. 

 

Step 3: Selection of fee type

The site will provide you with fee type options (Domestic Ontario Resident, Domestic Non-Ontario Resident, and International Students). Follow the links that best correspond to your circumstances.  

Once selected, you will land on a PDF document with a number of tables that provide you with fees that may be applied, dependent on your specific circumstances. For PEY Co-op fee installment information, refer to Table 2.B in the PDF document.  

Please note that at certain times of the year, PDF documents displaying fees may be momentarily unavailable as they are being updated.  

If you have questions regarding fees associated with the PEY Co-op program, please reach out to registration.ecc@utoronto.ca.  

 

Mandatory Incidental, System Access & Ancillary Fees 

Your incidental, system access and ancillary fees can be viewed by visiting Ancillary Fees – Planning and Budget.  

International students

All international students must hold a valid study permit and co-op work permit. These enable you to take part in the PEY Co-op program and to work legally in Canada.

Students are encouraged to apply for any required work permits as soon as possible after being admitted to PEY Co-op. You may complete the summer co-op work term on your study permit; however, you must secure the co-op work permit before beginning the 12-16-month work term. 

You are responsible for using the work permit only for the purpose for which it was issued. The co-op work permit is only to be used to complete work terms that are a requirement of the student’s program of study.   

The International Student Immigration Advisors at the Centre for International Experience (CIE) can provide guidance and support for those who require it. UTM students can also reach out to the UTM International Student Education Centre.

PEY Co-op sequence

When to register

Engineering students register for the PEY Co-op program at any point in first year, or in the fall semester of second year.

Eligible UTM students register in the summer following the completion of 4.0 credits.

A degree-long program

Students move through the PEY Co-op program in the following sequence:

Year of study Activity
First year For eligible Engineering students: Participation in the Introduction to PEY Co-op and completion of the prerequisite for entrance into the Preparatory Program.
Second year Completion of the Preparatory Program and associated assignments.
Second year

The summer recruitment cycle is an opt-in opportunity to apply what you learned in the PEY Co-op Preparatory Program and gain four months of work experience during your study break between second and third year.

Second year

Opting into the recruitment cycle: If you opt into the recruitment cycle or secure a summer work term, you will be registered for the PEY300 co-op course code to reflect your commitment. All students who are registered in PEY300 without a work term will be reviewed for credit eligibility after the deadline. 

Third year Participation in the recruitment cycle* for the 12-16 month work term
Following third year 12-16 month work term: Full-time, paid work, with a single employer for 12 to 16 months.
Fourth year Return to full time studies.

Engineering and UTM students must communicate with the ECC if they expect they may need an exception to this sequence. These requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

*During each recruitment cycle, you will have access to the ECC Career Portal, associated job board, and ECC staff supports.  

Completion and transcripts

In order to successfully complete the PEY Co-op program and receive co-op designation* on their transcript, students must complete the following:  

  • All Preparatory program prerequisites, modules, and associated assignments.  
  • If you opt into the summer recruitment cycle, you will be registered for the PEY300 co-op course code to reflect your commitment. You are expected to register your job offer and acceptance. If your participation status changes, you are required to contact the Engineering Career Centre
  • A 12-16-month work term after third year, inclusive of associated self-reflection forms and final reflection report.  

Students who do not secure a 12-16-month work term will be removed from the program following third year and will not be charged fees for the following year.  

*For Engineering students, the PEY Co-op Subject POSt which will appear on your transcript is AEINTCOOP. UTM students do not have a Subject POSt for the PEY Co-op program.

Preparatory program requirements

To successfully complete the PEY Co-op Preparatory program, the following is required:

  • For Engineering students only:
    • Completion of all requirements for the Introduction to PEY Co-op by the end of first year, or immediately upon registering for PEY Co-op if enrolled into the program after first year. This serves as a prerequisite for the second year Preparatory program modules. (The Introduction to PEY Co-op is not required for UTM students.)
  • For all students:
    • Completion of all required Preparatory program assignments by the stated due dates; communicate with the ECC if you require an extension.
    • Completion of Module 1 of the Preparatory program (this is a prerequisite to enter the recruitment cycle for the summer work term).
    • Completion of Modules 2, 3 and 4 of the Preparatory program (these are prerequisites to begin a summer work term as well as prerequisites to enter the recruitment cycle for the 12-16 month work term).

Students who secure a summer work term but do not complete Module 4 by the posted due date will receive an NCR for that work term.

Students who do not complete Module 4 by the end of the Fall semester of their third year will not enter the recruitment cycle for the 12-16 month work term and will be removed from the PEY Co-op program.

Withdrawal and removal

If a registered PEY Co-op student who satisfies program eligibility requirements wishes to exit the program, they must formally withdraw following these steps:  

  • Complete the PEY Co-op Withdrawal Form and email it to sd.ecc@utoronto.ca expressing your wish to withdraw from the program.  
  • Attend a 15-minute video exit meeting facilitated by the Director, Employer Relations, Engineering Career Centre.    
  • If, following the exit meeting, you still wish to withdraw, the Director, Employer Relations, Engineering Career Centre will approve your withdrawal from the program.   
  • Following approval, the PEY Co-op subject POSt will be removed from your student account (the removal of the subject POSt is only applicable to Engineering students). You will have two weeks from the date of your withdrawal approval to download any materials from the preparatory program, before being made inactive in the preparatory program. If you are in a recruitment cycle, you will be removed from the ECC Career Portal immediately upon approval of your withdrawal. You are responsible for cancelling all upcoming interviews.  

If Engineering students wish to withdraw after first year, you must have your withdrawal approved by July 1st of the summer following first year. Otherwise, PEY Co-op fees will be applied to your student account for second year.  

Students who have not secured a work term may withdraw from PEY Co-op. However, withdrawals from the program must be finalized by the last day to add or substitute courses for the given academic session to receive a refund for that academic session. The ECC reserves the right to restrict when a student may withdraw if they have secured a summer co-op work term or a 12-16 month work term.  

The ECC reserves the right to remove students from the PEY Co-op program at any time for the reasons of:  

  • Professional or behavioural misconduct throughout PEY Co-op, including during a work term.  
  • Academic misconduct, as defined by the University of Toronto’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. Instances of academic misconduct will be addressed through the University’s established processes and procedures.  
  • Incompletion of the PEY Co-op Preparatory program by the end of the fall term of third year.

Recruitment cycle

There are two recruitment cycles in PEY Co-op:

  • The first is for those who are searching for a summer work term
  • The second takes place during your third year as you search for a 12-16-month work term.

During the recruitment cycles, you must adhere to the following requirements in addition to the general program requirements.

ECC Career Portal personal information

At the start of each recruitment cycle, you must check your account on the ECC Career Portal and ensure your personal information is complete and accurate. Please update this information throughout the recruitment cycle and work term(s) to ensure your information is always up to date.  

Work term employment requirements

For an employment opportunity to qualify as a PEY Co-op work term, it must be with full time, paid work, of an appropriate duration at a single employer. Students may not split a work term duration between two or more employers.  

  • Summer work terms must be 12-16 weeks in duration during the summer after second year. They must begin between the last week of April and the first week of June after second year and end by the first week of September of the same calendar year.  
  • 12-16-month work terms must be 12-16 months in duration. They must begin between May and September following third year and must end no later than the first week of September of the following calendar year so students may return to school for the fall term of their final year of studies.
    • E.g. a work term beginning in May 2023 may end in August 2024. 

Job applicants and interviews

As you apply and interview for work term opportunities, make sure to:  

  • Check your @mail.utoronto.ca email account regularly and take prompt action on messages including interview invitations, correspondence from ECC staff or employers, job offers, etc.  
  • Attend all your scheduled interviews and events. If attendance is not possible (e.g. due to illness or extraordinary circumstances), notify the ECC or employer well in advance.   
  • Treat information on the ECC Career Portal as private and confidential. Roles and data posted on this site are password-protected and should not be shared with others.   
  • Review all job descriptions carefully and apply only to jobs for which you meet the eligibility requirements and conditions. For example: citizenship, work term duration, access to transportation, location, etc.  
  • Abide by the University of Toronto Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. The misuse, alteration, or forgery of any University document (e.g. transcripts, unofficial copy of a transcript, and letters from the University) is an offence and will be taken seriously.      

The co-op job search can be competitive and there is no guarantee of securing employment. You are responsible for monitoring your job searches and reaching out to the ECC for guidance and support as required.

Conducting an independent search

Some students may wish to conduct an independent job search in addition to applying for opportunities in the ECC Career Portal. This can be especially helpful if you are looking for a very particular type of opportunity, for example: in a specific international location, with a specific company, or working in a niche field.  

All independent work terms must be approved by the ECC prior to the beginning of the work term. In order for the work term to be approved it must meet the standard work term employment requirements in addition to the following:  

  • The opportunity must be a full-time, paid role, of an appropriate duration.  
    • Summer work terms must be 12-16 weeks with a single employer.  
    • 12-16-month work terms must be 12-16 months with a single employer.  
  • Work responsibilities are relevant to the student’s studies.   
  • The employer is able to ensure the safety of students and follow the health and safety precautions imposed by the work city.   
  • The employer is able to implement an on-boarding and training plan for new hires.   
  • The student will have a direct supervisor/mentor who will schedule regular one-to-one feedback.   
  • The employer must be willing to complete evaluation requirements provided by the U of T Engineering Career Centre.

Approval of independent work terms

Submit the following information via email to pey.coop@utoronto.ca. To expedite the approval process and confirm the work term, please include the following information in one email. You will receive confirmation of approval and the work term will be recorded within the ECC Career Portal.  

 The deadline to apply for approval of an independent work term is decided on an annual basis:

  • For the summer work term, the deadline is typically in early June prior to or at the beginning of a work term.
  • For the 12-16-month work term, the deadline is typically in late July prior to or at the beginning of a work term.   

If you have questions prior to accepting an independent work term, please email pey.coop@utoronto.ca. We can consult with you and ensure the opportunity you have secured meets program requirements.  

Job offers and acceptances

Job offers may be extended to you by an ECC Co-op Coordinator or by the employer. You are not obligated to accept an offer.

Methods of accepting a job offer include a verbal response, in writing via email, or by signing a contract. This also applies to conditional job offers.

Once you accept a job offer, you must follow these steps:

  • Notify the ECC office within 48 hours of accepting a job offer by uploading the appropriate Work Term Agreement Form to the ECC Career Portal. This will initiate your co-op work term record and end your participation in the recruitment cycle.
  • Upload a copy of your signed Offer Letter/Contract to the ECC Career Portal as soon as it is finalized with the employer.
  • Discontinue your job search and cancel any remaining interviews for that recruitment cycle.
  • Complete all necessary prerequisites for your work term as required by both the University and your employer.

All roles obtained through the ECC Career Portal must be declared to the ECC through the work term acceptance process outlined above.

You are expected to honour your commitment after you accept an offer.

Please contact the ECC immediately if you have trouble following through on your commitment.

You cannot withdraw your acceptance of a role nor resign prematurely without prior discussion with representatives of both the ECC and the employer. You may receive an NCR (no credit) for the work term if you do withdraw your acceptance or resign without said prior discussion.

Work terms outside Canada

If your work term is outside of Canada, you will need to complete additional steps to ensure you can work abroad both safely and legally.

PEY Co-op Safety Abroad requirements

  • Start your visa/work permit application process: Check whether your company helps with obtaining your visa and start your visa application as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the proper documentation to legally work in the country where you will be completing your work term.
  • Check your Canadian visa status (international students only): If you are an international student, you should follow up on your visa status in Canada.  You may have to extend the validity of your student visa.  Also make sure that you mention that you’re a full-time student even when on a work term as part of PEY Co-op as this might impact the duration of your post-graduation work permit in Canada.

If you have questions on this topic, we recommend that you request an appointment with the Centre for International Experience’s Immigration Advisors to discuss your student visa prior to departure.

University of Toronto Safety Abroad requirements   

  1. All students participating in university activity, including during work terms outside of Canada as part of PEY Co-op, must review the University of Toronto’s Safety Abroad requirements.
  2. The Safety Abroad Pre-Departure workshop is available online and can be completed at your own pace. Please register for the workshop here, and then the four modules will be available on Quercus. If you have any difficulties submitting the modules, please let us know.
  3. Secure appropriate and sufficient travel health insurance.
  4. Complete the required information under the Safety Abroad Registry as accurately as possible.
  5. Review and agree on the terms and conditions stated on the Consent & Terms of Participation Waivers, which are part of the Safety Abroad Registry.

For additional updates related to COVID-19, please visit the Safety Abroad Covid-19 Planning page.

Work term


Once you have accepted a work term offer, it is your responsibility to honour the conditions of that work term. This includes the agreed-upon duration, working hours, and confidentiality requirements.  

Each work term will appear on the student’s transcript as a course and will be assessed as either CR (credit) or NCR (no credit). These are considered non-academic credits, meaning that they do not have an impact on your GPA. Gaining a CR for each work term is contingent upon:   

  • Completing all required components including evaluations forms, final reflection reports, and site visits (if required).   
  • Adhering to the commitments of your work term contract including duration of employment.  

For Engineering students, gaining a CR for either work term will satisfy the graduation requirement of 600 hours of practical experience. 

Changes to work term duration

Students are expected to commit to the duration of their work terms. After accepting an offer, you cannot reduce the duration of your work term or resign prematurely without prior discussion with representatives of both the ECC and the employer. You may receive an NCR (no credit) for the work term if you  resign without this prior discussion. PEY Co-op fees are non-refundable, regardless of the number of months that you have worked.  

If you face extenuating circumstances that require you to leave the work term early (e.g. illness or a family emergency), contact the ECC before taking any actions to change the duration of your work term. If you sustain a workplace injury or encounter a threatening or unsafe working environment, please communicate this to the ECC as soon as possible so we can assist you.   

If you have a 12-16-month work term that is less than 16 months in duration, you may extend it with the employer if you wish. The final end date of your work term must be no later than the first week of September, such that you are able to begin your fourth-year courses in the fall semester immediately following your work term. You must notify the ECC office within 72 hours of an extension to your work term.  

Salary guides

Salary guides for both the PEY Co-op work term (12 to 16 months) and the Summer Co-op work term (3 to 4 months) are available.

Income tax and deductions

Students are responsible for paying applicable income tax and employee source deductions. These taxes and deductions vary considerably depending on the location of your workplace and the employer’s policies. Consult with your employer’s Human Resources department if you have any questions.

Work term deliverables

Throughout each work term, you are expected to complete certain deliverables to enhance your work integrated learning experience.  

Self-Reflection forms  

The self-reflection forms are an opportunity for students to reflect on their skills and competencies at different points in the work term. These reflections can also aid you in writing your Final Reflection Report for the work term. You must complete these forms in order to be eligible for credit for the work term. These forms will be emailed to you at the times listed below.  

  • Summer work terms:   
    • Early Self-Reflection forms will be delivered 1 month after the start of the work term  
  • 12-16 month work terms:  
    • Early Self-Reflection forms will be delivered 2-3 months after the start of the work term.  
    • Final Self-Reflection forms will be delivered 1-2 months before the end of the work term.  

Performance Evaluation forms  

The performance evaluation forms are emailed directly to your supervisor at specific points in the work term. These evaluations are an opportunity for your supervisor to provide feedback on your performance in the workplace. They may choose to share each evaluation with you and/or meet with you to discuss your performance. We highly recommend that your supervisor complete these forms, however, their completion does not impact your credit for the work term. These forms are emailed to your supervisor at the times listed below.  

  • Summer work terms:   
    • Final Performance Evaluation forms will be delivered 1 month before the end of the work term.  
  • 12-16 month work terms:  
    • Midterm Performance Evaluation forms will be delivered 4-5 months after the start of the work term.  
    • Final Performance Evaluation forms will be delivered 1-2 months before the end of the work term.  

Final Reflection reports  

Students must complete a final reflection report for each work term. The goal of the report is to help you reflect on your learning in the workplace within the context of your academic and career plans. Your final reflection report will be assessed against a rubric and awarded a CR or NCR based on whether the report meets the expectations of the assignment. A CR on the final report is required in order to get a CR for the work term.   

Detailed instructions for the final reflection reports will be sent to students during the work term. Students will submit their final reflection reports through the Quercus course for that work term by the deadline stated in the report instructions. Late reports will not be accepted unless an extension is granted prior to the report due date.  

Site visits  

The ECC may reach out to students and employers to schedule site visits (on-site or virtual) to meet and discuss how the work term is progressing to date. Site visits provide co-op coordinators the chance to see you in your work environment, learn about the type of work you’re doing, and assist with any issues that may have arisen thus far affecting either the student or supervisor.    

 We encourage you to request a site visit if you are experiencing any concerns or would like any support during your work term.  

Taking courses during a work term

We strongly discourage taking courses during a work term. Your priority remains with your employer and contract while completing a work term. The dual demands of full-time work and academic engagement can limit your optimal performance in either or both.  

Employers are not obligated to grant you time off to complete coursework. Carefully consider whether you should continue your studies and speak to your academic advisor AND your employer about your decision 

If you enroll in a course while on a work term you are expected to: 

  1. Meet all the requirements set out by your Manager/Supervisor for the duration of the work term. Course work must not disrupt your performance in the workplace.
  2. Complete all course work and assignments outside of regular working hours, including exams. 
  3. Return to full-time academic studies for the Fall term immediately following your work term. Failure to return to full-time studies may result in an NCR (no credit) notation on your transcript or your removal from the PEY Co-op program.
  4. As an international student, please consult with the Centre for International Experience’s Immigration Advising Team to ensure you are aware of how your student enrollment status (full-time or part-time) can impact your eligibility to work in Canada.

Student loans and work terms

If you have relied on OSAP in the past, there are some steps you need to follow to retain your interest-free status on your previous full-time OSAP loans during your 12-16 month work term. There is no need to complete this process for your summer co-op work term.

You will need to complete the Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CIFS) online application through the OSAP website. It is recommended that you do this in mid-August of the start of your 12-16 month work term.   

If you have received an out-of-province government loan, please contact your loan provider for details on how to maintain interest free status.  Please refer to any correspondence you have received from the Loan Centre.  

If you will be on your 12-16 month work term in 2022-2023, please refer to this section of our website for full details.
Engineering students with further questions can contact Pierina Filippone, Assistant Registrar, Scholarships & Financial Aid (pierina.filippone@utoronto.ca).

UTM students with questions can book an appointment with a financial aid advisor through the Office of the Registrar. UTM students may also be eligible for the UTM PEY Bursaries program.