Student AffairsThe Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) provides students with a 12-16 month internship experience. QUIP internships are paid, professionally supervised, career-related positions offering students the opportunity to learn about current practices, advances, and technologies in business and industry.
The program is open to domestic and international undergraduate students in Smith Engineering, the Faculty of Arts and Science, the School of Computing, and the Faculty of Health Sciences. Students typically complete QUIP internships after third year and must return to school to complete their degree requirements after the internship.
See How to Register for QUIP for information on how to register and access the QUIP Job Board.
QUIP Drop-in Advising: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11AM -12PM EST. To access, please visit the MyCareer Events Calendar.
Have questions? View the QUIP FAQ below or connect with a QUIP Coordinator during QUIP Drop-in Advising – no appointment necessary!
View the Become an Intern Brochure (PDF, 483 KB)
You are eligible to register in QUIP if you meet all the following requirements:
- Domestic or international student
- Enrolled in any undergraduate programs listed below
- Smith Engineering at Queen's University
- Faculty of Arts and Science: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Students enrolled in general programs (without Honours) are ineligible for QUIP
- COCA students are also eligible
- School of Computing: Bachelor of Computing (Honours)
- Faculty of Health Science: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Online or On-Campus)
- Completed 2nd or 3rd year of studies before starting an internship
- Minimum GPA of 1.9
- Will be returning to Queen's to complete your degree requirements after the internship
For more details, see "How to Register for QUIP"
International students completing their undergraduate degree at Queen's University require a Co-op/Intern Work Permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to participate in QUIP. International students participating in QUIP may need to apply to extend their Study Permit to reflect the new completion date of their degree. After registration, students will be provided with a letter from the QUIP office to submit with their application to IRCC, along with further instructions. Please connect with the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) to learn more about the requirements for work and study permits.
There are many benefits of a year-long internship, such as
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Discover Your Career Path and Enhance Your Skills: Step out of the classroom and dive into the real-world workplace, where you can apply what you've learned and gain hands-on experience.
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Return to Studies Energized and Informed: Come back for your final year with fresh perspectives and a deeper grasp of your coursework, ready to tackle your studies with renewed enthusiasm.
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Earn an Income and Reduce Debt: Offset your education costs by earning a salary during your internship. Many scholarships can be deferred, and you might also be able to delay interest payments on government loans—be sure to check with Financial Aid and Awards for details.
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Build a Strong Professional Network: Forge valuable connections within the industry and expand your professional network, paving the way for future opportunities.
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Gain Insight into Employer Expectations: Learn firsthand what employers are looking for in new graduates, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
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Engage and Inspire Others: Connect with fellow interns and share your insights and experiences, taking on a mentor role to support your peers.
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Return to Queen's with an Impressive Resume: Enhance your resume with significant industry experience, positioning yourself for a successful post-graduation job search.
Want to learn more about QUIP and hear from a recent intern?
To register for a QUIP Information Session, visit the MyCareer Events Calendar.
All sessions are from 6:00-7:00 EST
- Thursday, January 9, 2025 - Smith Engineering - In Person at Dupuis Auditorium - Registration Link
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - General - Online on Zoom - Registration Link
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - General - In Person at Gordon Hall Room 302 - Registration Link
- Thursday, March 20, 2025 - General - Online on Zoom - Registration Link
The following chart provides a guide to the peak recruitment periods in QUIP. However, recruitment activities can take place throughout the year and students are encouraged to register and begin applying as soon as possible, and monitor the QUIP job board until they have secured a suitable position.
Typical Recruitment Periods
| Internship Start Dates | Suggested Student Registration Period* | Jobs Posted | Applications and Interviews | Interviews and Offers Extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January or May | September | September to October | October | October to November |
| May or September | September to January | January to February | February | February to March |
| September | September to May | May to June | June to July | June to July |
*Registration in QUIP is ongoing. We recommend registering as early as possible in order to maximize the time available for attending workshops, 1-1 advising appointments, and exploring internship opportunities.
Registration for QUIP is all year-round. We recommend registering as early as possible to maximize the time you can spend engaging in the internship job search process.
- Ensure you are eligible to register in QUIP (see below)
- Click on "QUIP Registration & Records". From the top right of the screen, click "Apply to a Program", search for your program and click "Apply"
- Smith Engineering at Queen's University
- Faculty of Arts and Science: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Students enrolled in general programs (without Honours) are ineligible for QUIP
- School of Computing: Bachelor of Computing (Honours)
- COCA students must apply to FAS: Faculty of Arts and Science
- Faculty of Health Science: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Online or On-Campus)
- Read all the information and contact us at quip@queensu.ca if you have any questions
- Send an email to your department or Undergraduate Programs Assistant to request your Undergraduate Chair's approval to register for QUIP, using the email template provided under "Registration Checklist"
- When you receive the approval from your department (email response "Confirmed"), log in to MyCareer again and click "Apply" to your program (same as step 2)
- Complete all the information, upload the original email that you sent and the approval from your department and click "Submit Application"
- You will receive an email indicating that your QUIP Registration is in Process and the instructions to pay the one-time, non-refundable $35 QUIP registration fee. Only VISA, Mastercard and AMEX credit cards are accepted (no debit cards or cash)
- After paying the QUIP Registration Fee and after the QUIP Office reviews your registration
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Domestic students - You will be enrolled in the onQ course “Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program 2025-2026”.
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International students - You will need to apply for your work permit (you will receive a "QUIP Registration-Application for Work Permit required" email with instructions and the Work Permit Letter). Once you inform the date that you have applied, you will be enrolled in the onQ course “Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program 2025-2026”
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Domestic and International students - Please complete the 3 mandatory QUIP Modules (Cover Letter, Resume and Interview) in onQ in any order. Log into onQ “Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program 2025-2026”, go to “Content”, select and complete the “Course & Quiz” and the “Assignment” for each one. These modules are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in your internship search.
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- After completing all the 3 mandatory QUIP Modules you will receive a "Welcome to QUIP" email when your QUIP Registration is approved by the QUIP Office and you will be granted access to the QUIP Job Board within 1-2 business days
- QUIP Internship Search Strategy Workshop
- Mandatory for FAS and FHS students
- Optional for Smith Engineering and COMP students
- During this workshop, we will work together to explore strategies and techniques that will assist you in the internship search process. Learn how to create an internship search plan, navigate the QUIP job board and initiate contact with potential employers. Please sign up in Events Calendar in MyCareer
Email Templates - Department Permission to Register in QUIP (Word, 31.3 KB)
Department Permission Contact Name and Emails 2024-25 (PDF, 232 KB)
QUIP provides comprehensive support for your internship job search, including:
- Job Search Preparation Modules: Every registrant completes modules on Resume Writing, Cover Letters, and Interview Techniques to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared.
- Job search strategy workshops: In addition to QUIP workshops that build on the strategies from the modules, you can also participate in other Career Services workshops aimed at further enhancing your job search techniques and preparation. Visit the MyCareer Events Calendar for the latest workshop offerings.
- One-on-one coaching: Meet with an Internship Coordinator to refine your internship search approach. You can also schedule sessions with a Career Educator and Coach or a Resume Coach for personalized guidance.
- Active Job Posting Board: Our online job board is regularly updated with new internship opportunities as we collaborate closely with employers to post thousands of positions each year.
- Targeted Employer Outreach: If you don't find the right opportunity on our job board, reach out to an Internship Coordinator. We are excited to learn about your career interests and support you in finding an opportunity that is right for you.
- Networking with Employers: Take advantage of career fairs and information sessions to connect with potential employers. Career Services hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including general career fairs and specialized Engineering and Technology fairs. Additionally, we offer numerous employer information sessions, especially in September and October. Check the MyCareer Events Calendar for details on upcoming events.
Once you secure an internship, we’ll help ensure you leave prepared with an interactive pre-departure session.
Finding an internship takes effort, but we’re here to help you succeed. Feel free to reach out to the QUIP team anytime for support. For additional tips on a successful internship search, check out the "Frequently Asked Questions" document.
Smith Engineering students
As a Smith Engineering student, you will be enrolled in and receive academic credit for courses APSC 302/3.5, APSC 303/3.5 and either APSC 301 or APSC 304. The academic weight of these courses total 10.5 units for a 12 month internship and 14.0 units for a 16 month internship; they do not replace required courses. Courses APSC 302 and APSC 303 carry tuition fee of 3.5 units per course and the tuition for them is due September 1st. You are required to complete a work term report or seminar for evaluation at the end of your internship, as well as successful employer performance evaluations after four, eight and twelve months. Your diploma will read: Bachelor of Applied Science, with Professional Internship. Note that some programs may accept APSC 303 as part of their technical elective/complimentary studies requirements. Credit may only be granted to students who have successfully fulfilled the necessary requirements to receive the Professional Internship designation.
School of Computing students
Students in a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) plan (code BCH) can register to do a Professional Internship version of their plan. The courses COMP 390/6.0, COMP 391/3.0, COMP 392/3.0 and COMP 393/3.0 allow students to continue to be registered during their internship placement. Satisfactory completion of a written internship report following completion of the internship enables the student to receive course credits, plus transcript and diploma annotations for the Professional Internship. The internship replaces the relevant undergraduate project course requirements (CISC 496/3.0 or CISC 498/6.0 or CISC 499/3.0 or COGS 499/3.0). Your transcript and diploma are annotated to indicate a degree with a Professional Internship. For more information, visit the School of Computing Internship webpage.
Faculty of Arts and Science students
Students who complete an internship are eligible for a Bachelor of Arts (or Science) degree with a Professional Internship designation on their transcript and degree. The program consists of the current BAH or BSCH program requirements plus additional courses totalling 6.0 units, INTN 301/1.5; INTN 302/1.5; INTN 303/3.0 or (INTN 304/1.5 and INTN 305/1.5). These courses are taken in addition to the required courses that are part of the student’s degree program. They do not replace any required or elective courses in the program.
Faculty of Health Sciences students
Health Sciences students in BHSc programs (on-campus and online) who successfully complete an internship will receive a Professional Internship designation on their degree. Students will be enrolled and charged tuition for the following courses: HSCI 301/1.5; HSCI 302/1.5; HSCI 303/3.0 (12-month internships) or HSCI 304/1.5; HSCI 305/1.5 (16-month internships). These courses are taken in addition to the courses that are part of the student’s degree program, and thus, they do not replace any required or elective courses in the program. Students may optionally enrol in only one additional course during each internship term, to a maximum of 3.0 units per term.
As part of your participation in the Internship Program, your performance will be evaluated by your employer at the end of 4, 8, and 12 months. You will receive further notice via email when a performance evaluation is required for your position. Remember that your performance evaluation is intended to help you grow both personally and professionally, so be prepared to take an active part in it.
You may refer to the sample of the Performance Evaluation Form for more information.
Looking for more information about the QUIP? View our FAQ guide.
Participating in QUIP, a year-long internship is incredibly rewarding, and I highly recommend it. Opportunities to "test drive" a career are rare, and this internship was invaluable for me in understanding my professional interests and goals.
Brett - Program Management Intern at Zoox