Co-op Admission
Admission to the University of Guelph’s Co-operative Education program from high school is primarily processed through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for degree co-op programs or Ontario Colleges (OCAS) for associate diploma co-op programs. When applying through high school, admission to co-op occurs at the same time you’re accepted into your program.
If you have already begun your studies at the University of Guelph, it may not be too late for you to apply to co-op. Please review the In-couse Admission process for more information.
Click on the appropriate tabs below to see learn more about admission to the University of Guelph’s co-op program:
- High School Admission
- In-course Admission (current first-year degree program students)
- External Transfer Students
- International Students
High School Admission
Admission to the co-op program from high school is based on the following criteria:
- You are applying to one of the programs offering the co-op option.*
- You have an 80% or higher average in your university-level high school courses for degree co-op programs.**
- You have a 60% or higher average in your college-level high school courses for associate diploma co-op programs.**
*Note: All students applying to co-op must declare a major in order to be considered for co-op with the exception of Bachelor of Science (Environmental Sciences) students – students in these programs must declare their major prior to beginning their second year of studies.
**Note: Meeting the minimum averages does not guarantee admission. Admission cut-off rates vary from year to year and may be higher than 80% (for degree programs) or 60% (for associate diploma programs), depending on the number of spaces available in each program. Applications to co-op during first year may be considered for degree programs; please refer to the current University of Guelph admission information. Applicants not accepted to a co-op program will automatically be considered for admission to the comparable regular degree and associate diploma programs.
In the Undergraduate Calendar and the Associate Diploma Calendar, the degree or associate diploma program followed by :C (a colon and the letter C) denotes co-op; for example, MEF:C is co-op.
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To apply, you must apply to the University through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for degree co-op programs or Ontario Colleges (OCAS) for associate dipolma co-op programs. Be sure to mark the section titled “Co-operative Education” as opposed to the regular program.
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You can direct your questions about co-op admissions to Guelph’s Admissions Office.
- Following the academic schedule as specified in the Undergraduate Calendar and Associate Diploma Calendar
In-Course Admission to Co-op
In-course admission is available to undergraduate students enrolled in programs that offer co-op. Admission is competitive and based on your cumulative average and space availability within the program.
Eligibility Requirements
Application Timing
Fall In-Course Application Programs:
- Application Deadline: November 28, 2025
- Decision Notification: Mid-January
- Eligibility: First-year students who have completed no more than 3.0 credits at the time of application.
Winter In-Course Application Programs
- Application Opens: January 2026
- Application Deadline: April 6, 2026
- Decision Notification: Early July
- Eligibility: First-year students who have completed no more than 6.0 credits at the time of application.
Note: All completed courses that count toward your program (core, restricted electives, electives) are included when determining eligibility.
Exception: Students in the Bachelor of One Health program may apply during their second year.
Additional Requirements:
- Minimum cumulative average of 70% (meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission to co-op).
- Must be registered full-time each academic semester.
- Must agree to follow the co-op schedule of studies as outlined in the Undergraduate Calendar, or as approved by your Academic Advisor and the Experiential Learning Hub.
- Click the Student drop-down menu
- Select Student Login
- Enter your U of G email and password to sign in
2. Submit Your Application
- Click Co-op Records & Admission
- Follow the prompts to complete your application
- A step-by-step guide is available in Experience Guelph
Questions? Email us at coopadmin@uoguelph.ca.
External Transfer Students
Students studying at another institution cannot apply directly for admittance to co-op at the University of Guelph. The student must first be admitted to Guelph and determine how many transfer credits they will receive towards their Guelph degree program. Transfer students can be admitted at any time during the Summer semester and up to the 8th class day of the Fall semester.
Admission to co-op for external transfer students is based on the following criteria:
- Acceptance into a program that offers a co-op option.
- 70% or higher admission average in your previous university or college courses (meeting the minimum cumulative average requirement does not guarantee your admittance to co-op)
- Students must be able to demonstrate that they will complete the necessary full-time academic requirement and are not beyond their second year of studies at the University of Guelph. Normally students with more than 5.0 transfer credits* will not be considered for admittance.
- Agree to the schedule of studies for co-op as outlined in the Undergraduate Calendar, or as approved by your Academic Advisor and the Experiential Learning Hub.
*Normally, all previously completed courses that count towards the program (core, restricted electives, electives) will be included when determining eligibility.
- Consult the External Transfer Students Admission Information and apply to the University of Guelph. Once accepted to the regular program, follow instructions above to determine whether you are eligible for co-op.
- Transfer students can be admitted at any time during the Summer semester and up to the 8th class day of the Fall semester.
- Admission is dependent upon academic achievement, space in the program and being able to follow the schedule of studies as outlined in the Undergraduate Calendar, or as approved by the academic and Co-operative Education departments.
- Students must submit a Co-op Admission Request form and an approved Co-op Academic & Work Sequence Agreement, found here.
- Students applying during or after their second year may not be admitted to co-op. Please email coopadmin@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions.
- Successfully completing, "Introduction to Co-operative Education", a mandatory non-credit course.
- Following the academic schedule as specified in the Undergraduate Calendar / Associate Diploma Calendar or agreed to by the academic and Co-operative Education departments.
- *Note: In the Undergraduate Calendar, the degree program followed by :C (a colon and the letter C) denotes co-op; for example, MEF:C is co-op.
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The Co-operative Education department works with the academic program counselling office to determine a student’s status at the University of Guelph. You must follow these important steps:
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First contact the academic department who will determine how many of your transfer credits will count towards your Guelph degree.
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Once the academic program counselling office determines your academic level (first year, second year, etc.) you can contact the Co-operative Education department to learn more about co-op.
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You may be directed back to the academic department to draft a Co-op Academic & Work Sequence Agreement to ensure that you can follow the full prescribed schedule of studies listed in the Undergraduate Calendar.
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** Be prepared to submit an official transcript from your previous university, along with your application for Co-op Admission, to the Co-operative Education department.
International Students
International students who meet the co-op admission requirements for their degree program or associate diploma are welcome to apply to co-operative education at the University of Guelph. Co-op fees are the same for both international and domestic students.
High School Admission
Information regarding admission to co-op for high school international students can be found here:
- Contact the University of Guelph Admissions Office to learn more.
- Contact the University of Guelph Ridegetown Campus Admissions Office to learn more.
In-course Admission
Applications to degree co-op programs for international students are processed the same way as applications for domestic students. Please follow the process for In-course Admission.
International students are defined as not Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Landed Immigrants and are paying international fees at the University of Guelph.
About Us
The Experiential Learning Hub is home to experiential learning opportunities on and off-campus, co-op, career education and community engaged learning.