Placements at the University of Toronto

The University of Toronto's placement infrastructure reflects its commitment to graduate employability. Supported by Toronto's position as Canada's primary business, technology, and healthcare hub, the pathways from study to professional employment are well-defined and actively supported.

Placement Programmes and Opportunities

UofT administers structured, formal placement programmes across several high-demand academic disciplines. These programmes are distinguished by their integration into the degree curriculum, their professional quality, and the calibre of participating employers.

Professional Experience Year Co-op (PEY Co-op)

The PEY Co-op is UofT's flagship work-integrated learning programme, available to students in Engineering, Computer Science, and Management programmes at the St. George and Scarborough campuses. Students undertake a 12 to 16-month full-time paid placement with a participating employer between their penultimate and final years of study. The programme provides industry-leading professional experience, competitive remuneration, and, in many cases, a direct pathway to graduate employment with the placement organisation. Average annual salaries for PEY Co-op participants in Computer Science and Engineering have consistently ranged from CAD 65,000 to CAD 85,000.

Co-operative Education at UTM

The University of Toronto Mississauga offers co-operative education programmes across disciplines, including Management, Communication, and Geographic Information Systems. Students alternate between academic study terms and supervised work terms with partner employers, accumulating structured professional experience as an integral component of their degree.

Clinical Placements - Health Sciences

Students enrolled in Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Pharmacy undertake mandatory supervised clinical placements within UofT's affiliated hospital and healthcare network. This network encompasses 10 fully affiliated teaching hospitals and is among the most extensive in North America, providing exceptional clinical training environments and professional development opportunities.

Teacher Education Practicum

Students pursuing initial teacher certification through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) complete structured in-school teaching placements under the supervision of qualified associate teachers and university faculty. Practicum placements are coordinated by OISE in partnership with schools across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

Career Support Services

UofT's Career Exploration and Education (CEE) office provides one of the most comprehensive university career support ecosystems in Canada. Services are available to students at all three campuses and at all stages of their academic journey, from initial career exploration in the first year through to post-graduation employment support.

• Individual career advising appointments, available both in-person and virtually, covering career direction, application strategy, and professional positioning.
• Professional document review services, including curriculum vitae, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, delivered by experienced advisors and peer career educators.
• Mock interview preparation and assessment centre simulation, tailored to specific employer processes and sector conventions.
• CLNx - the Career and Co-Curricular Learning Network - UofT's centralised digital platform aggregating thousands of employment, internship, volunteer, and development opportunities updated daily.
• Employer information sessions, panel discussions, and networking evenings hosted throughout the academic year, providing direct access to recruiting organisations across all sectors.
• A flagship Fall Career Fair attended by over 200 employers, and multiple sector-specific career events throughout the year.
• Specialised career resources and programming for students in finance, technology, healthcare, public policy, the arts, and social impact roles.

Impressive Outcomes

The following indicators illustrate the calibre of career outcomes achieved by UofT graduates:

• More than 30 UofT alumni have served as heads of state or government.
• UofT graduates are consistently employed at Canada's leading Bay Street financial institutions, global technology companies, and top-tier management consulting firms.
• The university ranks 14th globally and first in Canada in the Times Higher Education Global Employability University Ranking 2025, reflecting employer assessment of graduate quality.
• Average annual starting salaries for PEY Co-op participants in Computer Science and Engineering range from CAD 65,000 to CAD 85,000, reflecting the competitive professional value of UofT placements.

Top Industries and Employers

UofT graduates are sought after across all major professional sectors. The following represents the principal industries and representative organisations that recruit from the university:

Student Support During Placements

Students undertaking formal co-op and clinical placements are supported throughout their placement period by dedicated faculty and programme coordinators. This support infrastructure includes:

• A designated co-op or programme coordinator assigned to each student's faculty or stream, maintaining active contact throughout the placement period.
• Structured progress evaluations and academic assessments to ensure placement quality meets both professional and academic standards.
• Clearly defined escalation and resolution processes for students who encounter workplace difficulties, including the option to change placements in exceptional circumstances.
• Access to peer networks of students concurrently completing placements, providing an informal support community during what is often an intensive professional development experience.

Future Prospects

The professional value of a UofT placement extends beyond immediate employment. Students who complete co-operative and structured placement programmes benefit from a demonstrably stronger graduate employment profile, accelerated early career progression, and, in many cases, direct offers of full-time employment from their placement organisation.

For international graduates, Canada's post-graduation immigration pathways, including the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and the Federal Skilled Worker stream under Express Entry, provide structured mechanisms to remain in Canada and build a professional career following degree completion. UofT's International Student Services office provides comprehensive guidance on post-graduation immigration options.