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Placement and internship opportunities
Depending on the degree you’re completing, you may have the opportunity to complete additional programs that further develop your skills and experience. Generally this will involve completing a project or period of work in a workplace related to your area of study.
These programs are optional and vary in duration and requirements, from six-month scholarship programs to four-week volunteer community placements. In most cases, your faculty or school will outline the eligibility criteria and manage applications.
Some faculties offer summer research programs, giving you the opportunity to work with leading researchers. These are scholarship programs held over the summer break.
Many courses have compulsory placement requirements that you need to complete as part of your studies. Find out about the compulsory placements for your degree.
Insurance cover
The University maintains a personal accident insurance policy that covers you while you’re undertaking course-related activities, including placements. Find out more about this insurance cover, including how to make a claim.
Internship for credit
If you’re completing an undergraduate degree, there are a number of opportunities to undertake an Internship for Credit. An internship gives you the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace while applying knowledge and skills from your academic studies. Internships are available in government, NGO or private organisations.
An internship generally involves the completion of at least 95 hours of professional work placement, usually over two days a week for 10 weeks during semester. Before commencing your internship, you will attend a seminar where you'll be briefed on the requirements and expectations of your placement, and be able to answer any questions you may have about your placement.
Find out more about the internships available.
Art Curating/Museum and Heritage Studies
If you are completing postgraduate studies in Art Curating or Museum and Heritage Studies, you have the opportunity to complete an internship as part of your program.
Internships can take place in a wide range of Australian or international institutions. This includes public or private, commercial or non-commercial museums and galleries, institutions involved in the collection or display of art, or organisations that service the work of museums and galleries.
Master of Cultural Studies
If you are completing the Master of Cultural Studies, you have the opportunity of completing a cultural studies internship as part of your program.
Through the internship, you can gain experience in an organisation, business or institution that undertakes or requires cultural research or analysis. This may range from education, policy, artistic practice or popular culture to consumer or community ethnography and activist work.
If you would like to participate in the cultural studies internship program, complete an expression of interest form (doc, 80KB)
Master of Publishing, Health Communication, Media Practice, Strategic PR and Digital Communication and Culture
If you are completing a master’s program in Publishing, Health Communication, Media Practice, Strategic PR or Digital Communication and Culture, you have the opportunity to complete work experience placements as part of your program.
These placements allow you to gain experience in roles related to your degree.
Social justice internships
If you are completing a master’s program in Human Rights, Development Studies or Peace and Conflict Studies, you may have the opportunity to complete a social justice internship.
During the internship you’ll work intensively in a domestic or international organisation to gain a working knowledge of social justice practice.
Department of Germanic Studies
The Department of Germanic Studies regularly hosts interns. To apply, you need to have commenced or completed studies in the field of German, Germanic Studies or a related discipline.
Find out more information, including eligibility and application processes.
School of Humanities
If you are completing studies in the School of Humanities, you may be able to arrange work experience. It will need to be approved by your department and head of school.
Refer to the school’s webpage for more information about work experience and to complete an application form.
You can find out more information about Business placements, projects and study tours including dates, eligibility criteria and the application process.
Social Justice Legal Clinics
A variety of social justice activities provide the opportunity for students to work with organisations and gain experience with cases, clients, policy and research projects. Find more information on the social justice activities page in Canvas.
Summer Clerkship Scheme
The Summer Clerkship Scheme provides the opportunity to complete a clerkship with a participating law firm. The program is coordinated through the Law Society of New South Wales.
Internships
Internships are available at various centres and institutes within the Law School. These are advertised in the law student newsletter when they become available. You can also find out more about internships on the Law Canvas site.
Health Sciences
SHS Abroad
SHS Abroad is a unique way to connect with the world and with your studies. It provides opportunities for health sciences students in undergraduate and graduate entry master’s programs to gain an international experience as part of their study program. You can search for international placement opportunities in the Sydney Abroad portal.
Medicine
Elective placements are offered throughout the Faculty of Medicine and Health’s network of clinical schools to medical students in their final year of study who wish to expand their knowledge in a specialty area or across a variety of clinical settings.
University of Sydney Doctor of Medicine (MD) students can also apply for an international elective term by contacting the Student Placements team via medicine.electives@sydney.edu.au. There may be opportunities available for you to develop your understanding of global issues in Canada, China, Denmark, France, India, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Sydney Medical School offers a limited number of elective placements for incoming final year Doctor of Medicine students from international and Australian medical schools. Placements are available for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks and are offered through our network of metropolitan and rural clinical schools.
Nursing
Final year Master of Nursing and Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies) students can apply for an international placement at the end of their final semester (November/December).
International placements are currently available with our partner universities:
- Karolinska Institute in Sweden
- HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands
- Trinity College Dublin in Ireland
Other international opportunities may include experiences in Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Tonga (subject to availability).
Chemistry
If you are in the second year of a Science (or combined) degree in Chemistry, you have the opportunity to complete the Year in Industry Program. This allows you to spend a year working as a full-time employee in industry between your second and third year of study.
Last updated: 19 September 2025