Beyond Classes: Global, Co-Op, Experiential

Far from being an ivory tower, U of T is closely engaged with the surrounding community and economy. Our students, faculty, and alumni collaborate regularly with industrial, institutional and nonprofit organizations—partnerships accounting for close to a quarter-billion dollars in research funding.

We consistently place first in the country and within the top 15 worldwide for graduate employability—our graduates are well-equipped to achieve career success. Here are just a few of the many ways you can connect your classroom to the boardroom.

Career Learning Network

Join a thriving network of employers, alumni, industry reps, faculty, staff, fellow students and student organizations on all three campuses. The Career Learning Network brings U of T students and recent grads together with partners interested in professional collaborations to benefit from your first-class knowledge and skills. Participate in recruitment events, pursue experiential learning programs and network with potential employers, alumni, faculty and staff.

Professional Experience Year Co-op Program

Open to U of T students in engineering and commerce programs, the Professional Experience Year Co-op Program (PEY Co-op) is your opportunity to work full time for an employer of your choosing for 12 to 16 consecutive months after third year. You’ll also have the option to work for an additional four months after second year, giving you up to 20 months of professional experience before graduation. To help you prepare for professional success, you’ll complete a variety of career development modules, from acing the interview to transitioning to industry. Whether you see yourself contributing to a small team at a fast-paced local startup or gaining international experience with a large multinational company abroad, you’ll have unparalleled access to 1,500+ positions across every industry through PEY Co-op.

Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP)

Open to eligible Faculty of Arts & Science students, the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) combines paid work experience with specialized professional development training. As an ASIP student, you’ll build your resume and professional network by completing one or two full-time, paid work terms for a total of 12, 16 or 20 months. You’ll also complete professional development courses where you’ll learn skills for finding a job, building relationships with employers and succeeding in the workplace. Throughout the program, you’ll have access to helpful resources like a dedicated co-op job board, tailored workshops and events and an effective support team. For information about program eligibility, fees and enrolment, please refer to the Arts & Science website.

U of T Scarborough Co-op Programs

As a UTSC student, you have access to over 50 Co-op Programs in the arts, science and management disciplines. Learn directly from industry professionals and make strong connections between academic studies and workplace experience. You could be one of the 1,500 co-op students hired locally or internationally every year, for organizations as diverse as Microsoft, Ernst & Young LLP, the Art Gallery of Ontario, hospitals or government ministries. Or collaborate globally through the International Development Studies Co-op program – one of the country’s longest-running programs of its kind.

Experiential Learning at UTM

Discover a variety of options to develop your career with Experiential Learning at UTM, whether it is through an internship, practicum placement or community service. Students at UTM apply their studies in professional settings, gaining valuable experience, presentation skills and industry contacts.

Community-Engaged Learning

Harness your education to tackle complex social issues through a variety of community partnerships.

Centre for Community Partnerships

You’ll find many opportunities at U of T to apply your education to complex social issues, such as under-resourced schools, homelessness, gender dynamics, physical accessibility and mental health. Service learning is integrated into many courses across the University, coordinated by the Centre for Community Partnerships. Unlike work placements or volunteer positions, service-learning courses place equal focus on your educational needs as a student, and the needs of the community. Find out more about the many ways you can use your unique skills and knowledge to serve the community around you.

Global Learning – Beyond Borders

Expand your education beyond borders. Pursue an exchange program, field course, international development internship, co-op placement abroad, or engage with a vibrant and diverse international community of faculty and students right here on campus.

Exchange Programs

Immerse yourself in a new culture and an international academic experience through an exchange program. The Centre for International Experience partners with over 150 institutions around the world – opening up many options should you choose to go on exchange for a semester, a summer, or an entire year. While learning abroad, you’ll be gaining U of T credits and paying the standard U of T tuition.

Summer Abroad programs (Faculty of Arts & Science, St. George Campus)

Study the history of Hong Kong – in Hong Kong. Delve into field archaeology in Peru, the history of cinematography in Berlin or French language studies in France. The Faculty of Arts & Science’s Summer Abroad programs bring learning into action. Students complete a full-year credit course, while immersing themselves in the language, history, culture and politics of the host country. The locations themselves become your “living textbook.”

Field Schools

Apply your skills in the field, with these intensive hands-on courses organized in areas such as archeology, anthropology, geology, environmental science and biology. Students visit research sites locally and abroad, participating in research as diverse as exploring the different plant and animal communities in the Andes mountains and Amazon jungles of Peru, to contributing to a Medieval Funerary Excavation in Romania.

International Course Module Program (ICMs)

International Course Modules are an opportunity for students to enjoy an intensive international experience as part of an undergraduate course. 

As part of the ICMs groups of students have traveled to destinations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. Modules are integrated into the course plan and travel is scheduled to coincide with Reading Week.

UTSC International Co-op Placements

With a co-op placement through the acclaimed International Development Studies program, you could work with international development non-profit organizations such as OXFAM or UNICEF in countries like Bolivia, China or Ethiopia. Or you may pursue international work experience through UTSC’s Management and International Business Co-op – by immersing yourself in merger and acquisition strategy at Deloitte Shanghai, or working as a marketing analyst for Hong Kong’s first wireless commercial television station. UTSC’s thriving Arts and Science Co-op programs offer placements in over 40 disciplines.

U of T’s Global Community

The University of Toronto is a global community, with thousands of top students from over 160 countries coming every year to earn a degree of outstanding international merit. Leading international faculty and research fellows enrich the University; not only due to their academic distinction, but also for their cultural diversity. Just by connecting with your fellow students, instructors, University researchers and others, you will gain an international experience without even leaving campus.