Alternating Study and Internships
In fall 2017, the Université de Sherbrooke launched a pilot project to open certain co-op programs to international students. Subject to their obtaining the appropriate work permit, this pilot project allows selected students to complete one or more paid internships as part of their curriculum.
What Is COOP at UdeS?
The Université de Sherbrooke was the first university to incorporate the co-op system into its programs over 50 years ago. Its program is the most renowned in Quebec and ranks second in Canada for its scope.
Co-op programs allow students to alternate 15-week trimesters of study with 15-week trimesters of work experience. Depending on their program of study, students who opt for the co-op program complete 3 to 5 paid internships in companies or research laboratories in Sherbrooke or elsewhere in Quebec and in the world. And the University finds the internships for them! Students earn an average of C$10,000 per internship and gain a year of work experience in their field of study before graduation.
Example of a Co-Op Study Pathway
Each academic year is divided into three 15-week trimesters:
- Fall (September to December)
- Winter (January to April)
- Summer (May to August)
The pathway varies depending on whether you start your program in the fall or winter.
Legend: S = Study session W = Work internship
1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year
FAL WIN SUM FAL WIN SUM FAL WIN SUM FAL WIN
S-1 S-2 W-1 S-3 W-2 S-4 W-3 S-5 W-4 S-6 –
– S-1 – S-2 W-1 S-3 W-2 S-4 W-3 S-5 S-6
The Process
The first step is to check the list below to see if the program of study that interests you is included in the pilot project. If so, you simply submit a regular application for admission, making sure to select the co-op program on the admission form.
During your first trimester of study, the Université de Sherbrooke's internship and professional development department will help you update your CV and prepare for your interviews. This is because you can apply for more than one job and have more than one interview before being hired by an employer. Once hired, you will be an integral part of their team and carry out real tasks adapted to your level of knowledge.
Eligibility Criteria
- All applicants must meet the general admission requirements and the specific requirements of the co-op program they have chosen.
- In addition to these requirements, admitted students have to take preparatory training for the cooperative internship to familiarize themselves with Quebec's distinctive features. They will then be invited to follow the cooperative pathway, composed of capsules, quizzes, and informative courses to help them prepare their CV, cover letter, and interviews. This training must be completed stay in the co-op program and obtain an internship.
- Students must have a valid co-op work permit and study permit.
Getting a Work Permit for an Internship
- Be part of a co-op or internship program.
- The job must be certified as part of the curriculum by an institutional official.
- Have a letter from the Université de Sherbrooke confirming that all students in your program must complete work internships in order to graduate.
- Have a valid co-op work permit and study permit.
- Co-op or internship employment does not constitute more than 50% of the total curriculum.
If you are eligible, you must apply online for a work permit for internships (free of charge). This permit will be issued with the Université de Sherbrooke as the employer (this does not mean that you will be restricted to on-campus employment for your internship). This type of work permit allows you to complete the work placement you need to fulfill your degree requirements. This work permit is closed since it cannot be used for other types of employment.
These areas include settings where staff are in contact with vulnerable individuals, clinical laboratory workers, and others. For more information, see the non-exhaustive list of cases requiring a medical examination.
Note: Due to COVID-19, the offices of some panel physicians (with whom the specific exam must be made) might be closed. The student will need to stay in contact with the panel physician's office to verify what their options are.
This work permit is usually requested at the same time as the study permit. It can also be applied for at a later date, provided that the work permit is obtained in time for the start of the internship.
- Open a secure IRCC account: Register with the GCKey or a sign-in partner.
- Click on "Apply to come to Canada."
- Scan and upload all relevant documents after completing the questionnaire.
Note: Processing times may vary due to the pandemic. The time for processing applications can be checked.
Why Choose the Co-Op Approach?
- Enrich your CV with concrete experience and accumulate a year or more of experience even before the end of your studies.
- Gain experience in preparing for an interview.
- Carry out actual projects related to your field of study.
- Confirm your interest in your field of study.
- Develop your skills and professional qualities.
- Receive an average salary of $10,000 per internship, depending on field and location.
- Develop a network of useful contacts for your future job search.
For More Information
- Contact the person in charge of the program if you have questions about admission or eligibility.
- For questions about internship placement and the process of obtaining a mandatory work permit, please contact the internship and professional development department.
List of Study Programs Offered
Thirty-four study programs are part of the pilot project and a limited number of seats are allocated for each, subject to internship availability.
Faculté / École / Centre | Nom du programme d'études / cheminement | Nombre de places offertes |
CUFE | B. études de l'environnement | 1 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. - comptabilité | 5 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. - Gestion des ressources humaines | 5 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. - finance | 3 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. - management | 3 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. - Marketing | 3 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. - Entrepreunariat | 1 |
École de gestion | B.A.A. en gestion des technologies d'affaires | 3 |
École de gestion | B. économique | 3 |
École de gestion | Économique (maîtrise) | 1 |
École de gestion | MBA - Gestion des entreprises | 3 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie mécanique | 5 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie informatique | 5 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie robotique | 1 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie électrique | 3 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie chimique | 5 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie civil | 3 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie biotechnologique | 3 |
Faculté de génie | B. génie du bâtiment | 1 |
FMSS | B. biochimie de la santé | 3 |
FMSS | B. pharmacologie | 1 |
FLSH | Communication appliquée - rédaction | 3 |
FLSH | B. géomatique appliquée à l'environnement | 2 |
FLSH | Sciences géographiques (maîtrise) | 2 |
FLSH | Communication appliquée - communication (502) | 1 |
FLSH | B. études anglaises et interclturelles | 1 |
Faculté des sciences | B. sciences du multimédia et du jeu vidéo | 5 |
Faculté des sciences | B. informatique | 5 |
Faculté des sciences | B. informatique de gestion | 5 |
Faculté des sciences | B. biologie moléculaire et cellulaire | 3 |
Faculté des sciences | B. chimie | 5 |
Faculté des sciences | B. chimie pharmaceutique | 5 |
Faculté des sciences | B. microbiologie | 3 |
Faculté des sciences | Biologie générale | 1 |
Faculté des sciences | B. physique | 1 |
Faculté des sciences | B. écologie | 1 |
Faculté des sciences | B. mathématiques | 1 |
Faculté des sciences | M. génie logiciel | s.o. |
FSAP | B. kinésiologie | 1 |
Programmes avec stages déjà ouverts aux internationaux
Faculté / École / Centre | Nom du programme d'études / cheminement | Nombre de places offertes |
CUFE | M. en environnement | |
Faculté des sciences | M. en génie logiciel | |
Faculté des sciences | M. en informatique |
Last update : August 7 2020