How Co-op Works

For students in the co-op program, co-op fees are additional fees on top of your school tuition and incidental fees, which are calculated in accordance with the policies of Ryerson University and of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The fees cover operational costs that support you with: student advising, programming, and resource development; the co-op recruitment process; infrastructure and administration; job development; and employer and student relationship management.

The total co-op fee is $3,500.00. Fees are paid in installments spread over the course of students' study at Ryerson University to reduce your financial burden.

Co-op fees are participation fees and are not based on the number of work terms secured, nor when work terms are secured. Students who secure at least three co-op work terms (12 months total) are required to pay the full co-op fees according to your respective fee payment schedule. Note: Students who are successful in securing their work terms can more than offset their Co-op fees with their earnings.

Co-op students admitted prior to F2015 are advised to contact your Co-op Program Specialist regarding your fee payments. 

Co-op fees and payments are non-refundable and subject to change without notice.

The wages listed represent a compilation of historical salary and wage data reported by students and employers. The numbers below are subject to change based on employer preferences and the prevailing wages of various industry sectors. The actual salary/wage of a co-op student is discussed between you and the employer during the hiring stage. The rates are presented in Canadian dollars per hour before deductions.

For wage information on Ryerson's Business Co-op programs, please visit the Ted Rogers School of Management's Business Career Hub Co-op page, opens in new window.

To receive a grade for your co-op work terms, you need to:

• register for the appropriate work term course codes
• where possible, participate in a work site visit with your Co-op Program Specialist
• complete and submit work term report*
• submit an Evaluation on Co-op Student Performance completed by your supervisor.

*Note: As a co-op student, you will complete a work term report for each co-op work term. The report facilitates reflection on your accomplishments at work, the challenges you experienced, and your future learning objectives.Please refer to your program for timing of submission of work term reports as it  allows your faculty advisor to grade your term and facilitate your growth.

Ryerson co-op uses a continuous hiring process where jobs are posted on a first-come, first-served basis until all positions are filled. There is no ranking or matching of students with employers. Job postings are specifically for co-op students and listed in a portal accessible only to co-op students.

Applying for co-op jobs is similar to a real-world hiring process with a few differences that allow for employers to be assured that the students they choose are committed to working with them, and for as many co-op students as possible to find work.

If you find your own employment, it must be approved by your faculty advisor prior to accepting the position.

Note: the steps below may take 2 - 4 weeks depending on the employer.