Placements
Give your degree an industry upgrade with a paid, full-time placement. Over 6 or 12 months, you’ll gain the next gen experience, insight and knowledge employers want.
Professional placements at Swinburne
Placements are an opportunity to get a head start on your new career while applying what you’re learning in your studies. You’ll work with experts in your chosen industry, combining ‘on the job’ learning with academic tasks, workplace reflection and feedback.
Swinburne students have undertaken placements with [TBC by Swinburne] and many others, getting up close with their future careers and gaining invaluable experience.
A placement is one of Swinburne’s optional Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences. By adding a placement to your studies as a co-major (12 months) or minor (6 months), you’ll set yourself apart before you even graduate.
Not sure if you are eligible? Check your eligibility
Accreditation placements for education, engineering, health and law degrees
In some education, engineering, health and law degrees, work placements are a built-in requirement (accrediation placements), providing you with vital hands-on experience in your discipline.
Benefits of doing a placement
Graduate with experience under your belt
Get paid while earning credit towards study
Build next gen skills employers are looking for
Grow professional skills and networks
Your placement options
In a year-long placement, you’ll have a chance to explore the rich opportunities of your chosen industry.
Your year will include 4 units, each worth 25 credit points.
There are 2 practical units:
- Work Experience in Industry A
- Work Experience in Industry B
and 2 academic units:
- Integrated Professional Placements A
- Integrated Professional Placements B
International students should contact the placement team for confirmation on how a placement might affect the total cost of their degree.
Students enrolling in the Professional Placement will be subject to a variation in their course rules, which includes additional credit points for course completion. The amount of additional credit points will depend on whether students have spare electives in their standard degree or not. Speak to a Course Advice Specialist for details.
In your 6-month placement, you will have opportunities to apply your knowledge to a range of industry tasks and activities.
While you work, you’ll also study 2 units, each worth 25 credit points.
There is one practical unit:
- Work Experience in Industry A
and one academic unit:
- Integrated Professional Placements A
International students should contact the placement team for confirmation on how a placement might affect the total cost of their degree.
Students enrolling in the Professional Placement will be subject to a variation in their course rules, which includes additional credit points for course completion. The amount of additional credit points will depend on whether students have spare electives in their standard degree or not. Speak to a Course Advice Specialist for details.
We recommend booking an appointment with a Course Advice Specialist to find out how a placement will fit into your degree structure.
Credit points & course extension |
12-month placement |
6-month placement |
|---|---|---|
Total credit points |
100 |
50 |
Course extension |
Up to 12 months |
Up to 6 months |
Half credits option |
25 credit points |
12.5 credit points |
International students should contact the placement team for confirmation on how a placement might affect the total cost of their degree.
Students enrolling in the Professional Placement will be subject to a variation in their course rules, which includes additional credit points for course completion. The amount of additional credit points will depend on whether students have spare electives in their standard degree or not. Speak to a Course Advice Specialist for details.
Your eligibility
To be eligible for a placement at Swinburne, you must:
- be enrolled in a standard 3- or 4-year bachelor degree
- have a weighted course average of 60% or higher
- have completed a minimum of 12 units (150 credit points) in your degree and have a minimum of 3 units (37.5 credit points) remaining at the completion of the placement
Note: You are not eligible for a placement if you’re studying through Swinburne Online (SOL) or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Are you an international student?
International students who meet the eligibility criteria can participate in the placement program. For help with understanding how and when to apply, contact the placement team.
Frequently asked questions
Applying, key dates and fees
Step 1: Register
You can register your interest online as soon as you’re ready. Your eligibility will be confirmed within 3 days.
Step 2: Create a resume and cover letter
Use the resources provided to create a professional résumé and cover letter, then run your résumé through CV360 for instant feedback.
Step 3: Apply and interview
Once your resume has been finalised, you will get access to view and apply for relevant placement opportunities and attend interviews.
Step 4: Enrol and start your placement
If successful, you will be enrolled in the relevant unit and be required to attend an induction lecture on campus prior to starting your placement. You will also be allocated a Swinburne supervisor to support your learning throughout your placement.
Securing a placement is a competitive process and will rely on the quality of your résumé, cover letter, academic record, interview, and (sometimes) portfolio.
Every organisation will have a slightly different interview and screening process that may involve job interviews, group assessments and other tasks.
You’ll be paid as part of your placement, and your employment contract is directly between you and your host organisation.
If you need more information or want help with the process, please contact us.
You should register your interest at least 6 months before your desired start date.
Two.
For Semester 1, register by August to start the following November or February.
For Semester 2, register by April to start the following June or August.
Enrolling in a Professional Placement co-major (12 months) or minor (6 months) will change the structure and completion requirements of your degree and could extend your degree by up to 12 months. Professional Placements are an academic program, and all fees for local students can be deferred via HECS-HELP.
Your placement journey
Placements can be beneficial to your learning, industry understanding and future career. While you’re on placement, you can:
- put your Swinburne studies into practice
- build skills and capabilities employers are looking for
- get paid at award level while earning academic credit
- grow your professional networks and connections
- develop transferrable skills for every profession
- explore future career options
- reflect on and learn from workplace experiences
Year 1 |
Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Get ready to work: build your résumé, volunteer and develop your skills in preparation for your placement. |
Take part in our Professional Purpose workshops and start exploring possible placements. |
Immerse yourself in the action with your 6- or 12-month placement. |
Consolidate your learning experiences back at uni and graduate with a full-time placement on your résumé. |
Yes. You will work full-time, at award wages, during your placement.
Yes. If you have electives available, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree from your placement.
No. Instead of regular classes, you’ll be enjoying real-world industry experiences combined with placement-specific academic units, which are delivered online.
Available support
While on a placement, you’re considered a full-time student of Swinburne and can access all of our support services.
As well as your academic and industry supervisors, you can also reach out to these services for further support: Student HQ, AccessAbility Services and Student Placement team at profplacements@swinburne.edu.au.
Yes. If you undertake a professional placement, you’ll be classified as a full-time student completing an academic program and you’ll be covered by Swinburne’s Public Liability insurance.
Employers: Looking to employ a Swinburne student?
Get access to the next generation of talent before hit the grad market. Our students bring fresh perspectives to workplaces along with leading industry knowledge that can help your team reach its goals.
While they learn, you’ll have the chance to mentor future talent and revel in the enthusiasm of a student with limitless ambition.
Do you have questions about placements? Get in touch.
Whether you want to understand your eligibility or need help with your application, we can help. Email us at profplacements@swinburne.edu.au.
Student stories
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Science
Isaac's placement story
The Data Experience
Isaac’s placement experience has allowed him to merge Physics and Finance to create business solutions.
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Design
Osama's placement story
Richmond Football Club
Read about Osama's experience interning at Richmond Football Club during his professional design placement.
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Media and Communication
Freya's placement story
August
Freya discovered the benefits of taking on new challenges during her placement.
Placements for international students
Hailing from Vietnam to study at Swinburne, Trang has secured a professional placement with Medibank as part of her Bachelor of Media and Communication degree.
More industry experience opportunities
-
Accreditation placements
Immerse yourself in your chosen profession with hands-on experience and practical learning in a work environment.
-
Internships
Connect your studies and professional practice with a part-time internship at a highly regarded organisation over a semester, or Summer Term.
-
Industry projects
Make a real-world impact when you respond to an industry brief, find a solution a thorny problem or get hands-on with the technology, tools and methods used in your chosen field.
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Professional degrees
Graduate from university with industry experience under your belt when you study a Swinburne Professional Degree. As well as exploring the theory behind your new career, you’ll undertake a built-in 12-month full-time paid work placement opportunity.
