Work Integrated Learning

We provide students with the opportunity to undertake a placement or internship, putting theory into practice.

Students being interviewed or spoken to

UNSW School of Social Sciences aims to provide every student in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs with the opportunity to undertake a placement, internship or practicum. We refer to this as Work Integrated Learning and it’s an integral part of our engagement with external organisations.

Work Integrated Learning is all about putting theory into practice. Hear from students at UNSW School of Social Sciences and their host organisations as they share their first-hand experiences in this short video.

  • As a Social Work student, you have the opportunity to focus on particular contexts or methods of practice, directed by the elective courses and placements you chose.

    You'll undertake two field placements during your degree:

    1. The first unpaid Social Work placement is in Terms 1 and 2 of third year and involves 70 days (490 hours in total) placement in an agency.

    2. The second unpaid Social Work placement is in Term 2 and 3 of fourth year and involves 70 days (490 hours in total) of placement in an agency.

    Placements evolve from the school’s ongoing discussions with social work practitioners and students, and facilitate preparation for professional practice. Most students report increased motivation to continue their studies or enter the workforce, and many have received job offers upon graduation. Each placement also involves compulsory seminars on campus.

  • Our Social Research and Policy degree gives you the opportunity to gain practical experience related to your area of interest. Work placements are provided as part of the core course for the Bachelor of Social Research & Policy. These evolve from the school’s ongoing discussions with industry partners, practitioners and students, and facilitate a supportive transition into the workplace by providing the best fit for all parties involved.

    Third year students may be able to pursue a structured and supported vocational placement designed to provide an understanding of organisational contexts and the development of professional skills.

    A range of placements will be offered to students including:

    • UNSW Research Centres 
    • UNSW administrative branches and other relevant UNSW organisations
    • mentoring placement with UNSW academic staff members
    • organisations outside UNSW organised by the internship coordinator
    • organisations identified by the student and agreed upon by the Internship coordinator. 

    Most students report increased motivation to continue their studies or enter the workforce, and many have received job offers upon graduation.

    Please follow the link below to fill out the registration form.

    Use the self-enrolment key “student_SRAP3006” to access the Moodle page.

  • Students in our undergraduate program have the opportunity to include a degree credit internship which provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a variety of development related organisations internationally.

    If you're taking part in our undergraduate program, you have the opportunity to include a degree credit internship in your third year which provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a variety of development related organisations internationally. Through ARTS3758 Global Change Internship, you gain international exposure and a deeper understanding of the political, social and cultural context of a development context.

    This internship provides a one-of-a-kind experience to help you understand context-sensitive development in practice and gain valuable professional experience. Past student interns have described it as a ‘life-changing experience’. ARTS3759 is a preparatory course which is completed in conjunction with ARTS3758.

    If you're interested in applying, please note that student can't enrol themselves into this course. This is obtained by submitting an EOI and undertaking a selection interview. Once successful the WIL Unit will enrol you into both courses. 

    Use the self-enrolment key “wil_internship” to access the Moodle page.