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 accepted to Guelph in order to 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 Program Counsellor 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.

​Determining whether you are eligible for co-op

  • 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:

  • First contact the academic department who will determine how many of your transfer credits will count towards your Guelph degree.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • ** 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.

Continuation requirements for co-op students include:

  • Successfully completing, "Introduction to Co-operative Education", a mandatory non-credit course

  • Taking a full-time course load each semester (a minimum of 2.0 credits unless you have an approved accommodation plan due to a disability-related reason or an approved accommodation due to medical, psychological, compassionate reasons).

  • 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.

To Apply:

  • 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 cica@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions.