Work term lengths, changes, and impacts
On this page:
- How do I get my work term sequence?
- What are possible work term sequences?
- Planning for Your Work Term Sequence
- Considering 8 or 12 month work terms
- Requesting Additional Work Terms
- Residence While on Work Term
- Requesting Changes to Your Work Term Sequence
- Impact of Dropping Courses on the Work Term Sequence
- Impact of Deferred Exams on the Work Term Sequence
Your co-op degree requires completion of 11 terms – 2 or 3 work term semesters and 8 study/academic semesters. Your work term sequence is essentially a map of when your two or three work terms and your 8 academic terms requirements will be completed.
Work Term Sequences are selected during our sequence selection period in October. Prior to this selection period opening, you need to complete the Choosing Your Co-op Work Term Sequence online module on the Arts & Science Co-op Portal or attend a Sequence Selection seminar in October. Dates will be posted in Portal and sign up will take place on CSM.
The sequence selection period takes place the last week of October and first week of November. During this time all first year students have a chance to request the work term sequence of their choice. Final decisions are based on number of spaces and order of submission.
Depending on your program, you'll begin work after you complete three, four or five study terms. Your first work term can be in the Fall, Winter or Summer of your second year. Once work term begins, they alternate with study terms until they've all been completed.
Sequences assume you are:
- taking a full course load (2.5 FCE)
- studying each semester
- completing 4 month work terms
If you're taking a reduced course load, taking a semester off, planning to participate in study abroad, etc., please inform us in your selection survey, and our Co-op Success and Program Coordinator. This will be taken into consideration when your work term sequence is created.
Your work term sequence is specifically constructed so that it will always end on a study term. This not only gives you an opportunity to reflect on what you've learned over your work term, it also keeps us aligned with provincial regulations. Once the sequence is set, plan your studies in advance to meet all of your graduation requirements and follow your sequence.
You must complete all of your required work terms before reaching 18.5 FCEs.
Need some help planning your courses and how to meet your program academic requirements? Contact your Co-op Program Supervisor or Program/Course Advisor in your Academic Department or an Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising and Career Centre.
Possible Work Term Sequences
Work term sequences are set based on a 4-month work term length. If you secure a work term longer than four months, it will be considered more than one work term. For example, an 8-month co-op job is considered two work terms. First work terms can take place in the Fall, Winter or Summer of your second year.
To see all possible sequence plans review the Choosing Your Work Term Choosing Your Work Term Sequence Module on A&S Co-op Portal. Below are sequence plans showing a first work term in Fall [Option 3F], Winter [Option 3W] or Summer [Option 3S].
Possible Work Term Sequences - Option Fall 4
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2023 - 2024) | Study + COPB50 | Study + COPB51 | Study + COPB52 |
| 2 (2024 - 2025) | Work Term #1 | Study + COPC98 | Work Term #2 |
| 3 (2025 - 2026) | Study + COPC99 | Work Term #3 | Study |
| 4 (2026 - 2027) | Study | Study | Graduate |
Possible Work Term Sequences - Winter 4
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2023 - 2024) | Study | Study | Study |
| *See below for more information. | |||
| 2 (2024 - 2025) | Study + COPB52 | Work Term #1 | Study + COPC98 |
| 3 (2025 - 2026) | Work Term #2 | Study + COPC99 | Word Term #3 |
| 4 (2026 - 2027) | Study | Study | Graduate |
*COPB50 and COPB51 must be completed in your first year, COPB50 can be taken in the Fall or Winter term, COPB51 can be completed in the Winter or Summer term.
Possible Work Term Sequences - Option Summer 4
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2023 - 2024) | Study | Study | Study |
| **See below for more information. | |||
| 2 (2024 - 2025) | Study | Study + COPB52 | Work Term #1 |
| 3 (2025 - 2026) | Study + COPC98 | Work Term #2 | Study + COPC99 |
| 4 (2026 - 2027) | Work Term #3 | Study | Graduate |
** Take COPB50 and COPB51 in first year -COPB50 can be taken in Fall or Winter or Summer
-COPB51 in Winter, Summer or Fall (of second year)
Currently, all work term sequences are arranged as a series of 4-month work terms, but employers are increasingly offering more 8-month opportunities. An 8-month work term is an opportunity to dive deeper into projects and gain an in-depth learning experience. If you complete an 8-month work term, it will count as two work terms and we'll adjust your work term sequence accordingly.
Here is a Sample 8-Month Work Terms
Option Fall 4+ Summer 8
| Semester | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study | Study | Study |
| 2 | WT#1 | Study | WT#2 |
| 3 | WT#3 | Study | Study |
| 4 | Study | Study | Graduate |
12 – 16 Month Work Terms
Students will see opportunities for 12-month work terms.16-month work terms are posted for Computer Science students. The duration of a work term is set by the co-op employer. A 12-month work term will count as three work terms and a 16-month work term will count as four work terms.
Requesting Additional Work Terms
Students are able to complete more work terms beyond their program minimum. To do so, you can request to complete additional work terms by contacting the Program Coordinator. Requests to be sequenced to seek additional work terms will only be approved for fall and winter semesters. However, additional work terms found through an independent job search will be approved as an additional work term for fall, winter, or summer semesters.
It's important to note that additional co-op fees will be charged for each additional work term semester.
If adjustments to your work term sequence result in additional work terms being scheduled beyond the number that is usually sequenced for your program, please refer to the Fees & OSAP section of this website to get an understanding of the extra fees associated with additional work terms.
Planning for Your Work Term Sequence
Once you know your work term sequence, you should map out how you'll meet your degree requirements knowing you'll be away on work term in certain semesters. While you can consult with Academic Advising or your Program Advisor/Supervisor, there are a number of additional resources to help you with your co-op planning.
These include:
- Program Planning Worksheets
- Co-op Program: Work Term Eligibility Checkllist/Work Sheet
- UTSC Calendar
- Consulting with Academic Advising or your Program Advisor/Supervisor
- Degree Explorer
- Future Course Offerings
Considering Residence While Going on Work Term?
When you sign your residence contract, you agree to meet the financial conditions of the contract and will not be released from them, even if your work term has you moving away from the area. If you’re living in residence at U of T Scarborough and plan to cancel your residence in order to accept a work term in another city, you need to follow the deadlines for residence cancellation. Failure to abide by these deadlines can result in loss of your full deposit.
To avoid violating your contract when living in residence, consider signing up for a four-month residence term only — even if you assume that your work term will be in Toronto. That way, if you land a GTA-based work term and decide to stay in residence, you can extend your residence contract.
Any additional questions? Contact:
Student Housing & Residence Life
Phone: 416-287-7365
Email: residences@utsc.utoronto.ca
Requesting Changes to Your Work Term Sequence
While it is expected that you follow the work term sequence received, you may prefer to adjust your assigned sequence based on your personal circumstances. These types of requests can be made during re-sequence request periods each semester. Deadlines are typically in the third month of the semester (November, March, and July). Please check the Arts and Science Co-op Portal for exact dates and deadlines.
The first step in making this request is to discuss your proposed new work term sequence plans with your Program Advisor/Supervisor or Academic Advising. After you have an understanding of the impact that these work term sequence changes will have on your course planning and graduation date.
If you're requesting to add work terms beyond the number that is usually planned for your program, please refer to the Fees & OSAP section to review the extra fees associated with additional work terms. Also become familiar with OSAP requirements for co-op students - https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/registrar/co-op-osap-forms
Impact of Dropping Courses on the Work Term Sequence
Dropping a course may result in your work term being delayed. Before you drop courses, it's a good idea to discuss the impact with your Co-op Program Supervisor, Program Advisor or an Academic Advisor. Please review your work term prerequisite in UTSC Undergraduate Calendar to confirm your eligibility.
Impact of Deferred Exam on the Work Term Sequence
If you defer an exam, your course load will be reduced in the following semester. This may result in delaying your first work term.