Work Integrated Learning
Real-world experience for creative futures
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the School of the Arts & Media (SAM) bridges the gap between academic study and professional practice. Our undergraduate and postgraduate internship programs offer hands-on experience to help you gain a foot in the door of some of Australia’s most prestigious media, culture, and creative organisations. We provide a tailored approach that reflects the School’s diverse disciplines and the wide range of career paths our students pursue. You’ll graduate with a degree plus a CV that includes real employers, real projects, and real results.
Career confidence in the age of AI
Employers seek graduates who can demonstrate adaptability, the ability to learn new skills on the run and a cutting-edge knowledge of emerging technologies. SAM placements provide all three. In a labour market radically transformed by digital disruption and AI, interning offers you a critical edge in terms of industry experience, networks, and the confidence to succeed.
WIL at SAM
Learn from industry connected staff
Many SAM academics have distinguished careers in journalism, film, theatre, music, PR, and digital media. They enhance our internship program by leveraging their high-level industry contacts and using their networks to help students gain opportunities in fiercely competitive fields.
Our students
SAM’s study areas include creative writing, English literary studies, film studies, music, theatre and performance, and media and communications (think journalism, public relations, advertising, and digital communications). The skills our students gain include writing, content creation, critical analysis, storytelling, and cultural awareness. These are highly transferable and valuable across nearly every industry. Our WIL placements provide maximum flexibility to support these diverse career paths. For example, our internship program accommodates a broad range of placements that go well beyond traditional media and arts organisations.
Our hosts
Our students have worked with some of the most dynamic organisations in Australia and beyond, including:
- Sydney Writers’ Festival
- Allen & Unwin
- FremantleMedia Australia (Heartbreak High)
- Edelman
- GQ Australia
- Marrugeku (leading intercultural dance theatre company)
- Sydney Swans Ltd
- Médecins Sans Frontières Australia
- The Australian Human Rights Commission
- Vogue Australia
- Performance Space
- Newsworthy
- Southerly Literary Journal
- Urban List
- The City of Sydney (NYE fireworks)
Testimonials from previous interns
"One of the most useful subjects you'll take at UNSW".
“ A MUST before [you] graduate”.
“A great opportunity to gain experience and get your foot in the door of the industry”.
“It provides an opportunity to put learned theory into practice and gain new insights into career paths”.
“Do it! Experience is something you cannot compare to anything you do in class”.
Testimonials from previous hosts
“Interns are an asset to our agency. They help junior members of staff learn to manage team members, bring fresh insights and are a great way to connect with future graduates”.
“ While I am assisting [interns’] development as journalists, they have given me insights into what interests and motivates a Gen Z audience. Understanding audience is essential to the very survival of media organisations”.
“[Our intern] was an absolute pleasure to have on board. I couldn’t have asked for a better attitude to the work. She [was] a credit to the university. I wish her all the best for the future”.
“Andrew is one of the best interns I have ever had… The world needs more Andrews… Clone Andrew!”
Outcomes snapshot
Our courses
- ARTS3015 Media & Arts Internship is offered to students nearing the completion of undergraduate programs.
- MDIA5100 Industry Internship is offered to students in postgraduate coursework programs.
Ready to dive in?
Our undergraduate and postgraduate internship programs are offered to students nearing the completion of undergraduate programs.
Faculty-sourced placements: Each term, our WIL team help place students into internships with partner organisations across public relations, advertising, journalism, film, creative writing, and the arts. The benefits? You don’t need to go hunting for your own internship: you’ll receive close support through the application process, and you’ll be working with a host organisation with whom UNSW has a strong relationship.
Self-sourced internships: Each term, we also assist students independently seeking placements with organisations across public relations, advertising, journalism, film, creative writing, and the arts. The advantage here is that you can target the exact industry or role you want, build initiative, and gain experience by applying directly for jobs.
What's involved
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WIL placements require 105 hours of professional engagement, performed part-time over ten weeks. Generally, this is aligned with UNSW’s term dates; however, we can sometimes accommodate requests for timing to align with a specific project.
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- Host placement description submission: Advertised 4-6 weeks prior to the term.
- Student applications: Aligned with term-specific timelines.
Indicative term dates (2026)
- Term 1: 16 February – 24 April
- Term 2: 1 June – 7 August
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Student Host Faculty WIL team Academic Convenor Complete 105 hours. Provide orientation, supervision, mentorship and resources. Conduct checks of student-sourced internships.
Monitor progress and resolve issues. Submit critical reflection and work evidence to course Moodle site. Ensure safe workplace. Maintain InPlace database of host organisations. Support academic outcomes. Adhere to WHS, codes of conduct and confidentiality. Understand students will not conduct the level of work expected of a full-time employee. Approve WIL agreements. Grade assignments. Enrol students. Monitor progress and resolve issues. -
- Check your eligibility.
- Secure a professional placement: Opportunities will be advertised via the Faculty WIL team’s InPlace system. The host will interview students.
- Submit WIL agreement for approval.
- Enrol in ARTS3015 or MDIA5100.
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- Check your eligibility.
- Secure a professional placement.
- Ensure placement is deemed eligible by WIL team.
- Submit WIL agreement for approval.
- Enrol in ARTS3015 or MDIA5100.