Do you want to get hands-on work experience while you study? UNSW Sydney is where students from all over the world kick-start their careers.

Work Integrated Learning, UNSW’s work experience program, includes internships, placements, and opportunities to work on industry projects in Australia and worldwide. Better yet? You’ll earn credit for it, so you’re working towards your degree and adding experience to your resume at the same time. 

This is one of the many reasons why UNSW has been awarded Australia’s Most Employable University for five years in a row1. Our graduates also earn the highest median salaries among Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities2.


What is Work Integrated Learning (WIL)?

Imagine gaining real-world experience while you study – and earning credit for it! Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at UNSW gives you the chance to do just that.

For some degrees, WIL is built into your program, while others offer it as an exciting elective. At UNSW, you’ll find a range of opportunities like internships, clinics, or collaborating on projects with our industry partners both here in Australia and overseas.

WIL could take you anywhere – from an office in Sydney, to a remote field location, or a clinical setting. Some roles are paid, others are unpaid, but every experience will help build your professional skills and open doors for your future career.

What work experience opportunities are available at UNSW?

From real-world translation and interpreting roles for language students to business internships where you’ll sharpen your skills and gain a competitive edge, there are WIL opportunities to suit every student’s goals – and we’re adding more all the time.

Some of our standout programs include Practice of Work, Future Leader Lab, Global Practice of Work, and Experience Term. We’ll explore each of these and share stories from students who’ve taken part, so you can see how WIL could transform your learning experience.

To discover more about our WIL courses and programs, check out the WIL website.

Work on a project with one of UNSW’s partner organisations, alongside other UNSW students.

Past projects include:

“Some of the employability skills I have gained in this course are problem-solving, teamwork, visual design and presentation skills. CDEV6000 offers practical experience like no other course does and teachers important job skills.”

– Ushma, Master of Commerce
Work in teams to solve challenging problems based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on creating sustainable cities and communities.

Past projects include:

  • Envision a future built around the circular economy
  • Explore strategies to roll out clean energy at scale
  • Investigate the impacts of renewable transport
  • Examine the role of technology in supporting entrepreneurial solutions
“Future Leader Lab is for anyone who’s ready to be challenged and open to exploring ideas you might not have even heard of before. Though we’ve all probably heard of sustainability, in this course, you’ll learn exactly why it’s so important, its practical applications, and what it means to live on a planet with finite resources.”

– Mazaya, Bachelor of Sociology
Join a small team of students abroad and work together on a real-world project alongside industry leaders and UNSW alumni. 

Past projects include:

  • A collaboration with TEDI-London, a leading engineering institute, where students worked with a local sustainable building company, Yes Make, to improve production processes and reduce timber waste in the city. Read the full story
  • Working with students and academics from Kyushu University in Japan to explore the process of adaptive reuse and how it can be applied to restore key architectural landmarks. 
“If you only go on one trip in your university career, be sure to pick this one. TEDI London assembled a dynamic and enthusiastic team of students from UNSW Sydney, King’s College London, and Arizona State University to tackle some of the real-life challenges that the London community faces.”

– Jordan, Student of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
An immersive learning experience based on a specific theme – applied research, community and social Impact, government and industry engagement, leadership development, or global immersion – either in Australia or at one of UNSW’s partner universities overseas.

Past projects include:

  • The Circular Economy India Immersive, where students head to India for two weeks to experience innovative social and economic models of circularity in a completely different context.
  • A deep dive into history, literature, politics and international business at The University of Warwick, with a visit to Venice or Brussels.

An international student’s ‘crash course’ in engineering leadership

International student Chethan Nonavinakere, who came to Sydney from India to study engineering, had the opportunity to work on a light rail project for transport engineering firm Alstom.

“It was an incredible opportunity to apply my engineering knowledge to a real-world project, collaborating with teammates from diverse backgrounds. It was a chance to really see how essential teamwork is in engineering.

“The course was intense and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, building resilience along the way. I learned to navigate different viewpoints within the team and make more effective decisions. This hands-on experience not only sharpened my problem-solving skills but also helped me align with my personal goals at UNSW and beyond.”

Chethan’s project was developing a cost-effective solution for remote monitoring of railway track geometry on the L1 line of Sydney’s light rail network.

“This meant diving into maintenance procedures and safety requirements to effectively monitor the track’s structural health. We conducted site surveys to evaluate the feasibility of our proposed remote monitoring technologies and gained a deeper understanding of railway track geometry maintenance standards. 

"Although my official role was as a team member, I naturally took on some leadership responsibilities, helping to keep the team cohesive and motivated.”

Chethan says the project was a ‘crash course’ in leadership. “It was an opportunity to leverage my leadership abilities and handle tasks with precision. Overall, it was a positive experience that allowed me to reflect on my personal growth and improve in key areas.”

Chethan Nonavinakere having a site visit at Lilyfield Depot during the Light rail project.

1AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards 2020,2021,2022,2023, 2024

2QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023

Want to learn more about WIL?

Explore all the exciting Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities at UNSW Sydney, and discover how you can earn credit while building your professional skills and connections.

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