Unit outline_

HSBH3012: Sydney Health Students Abroad

Intensive November - December, 2025 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Cultural practices, disease patterns and healthcare systems are vastly different in different countries around the globe. This unit provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience in a virtual health services placement setting in a country with a developing economy. Students will participate in a 4 to 6 week health or care placement with a community¬ based organisation in South or Southeast Asia. As part of the unit, you will be expected to participate in local development programs and document and reflect on key health and development issues facing local populations. The unit will require you to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an ability to adapt to new cultural environments, a capacity for critical reflection and awareness of complex global health and development issues.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
A minimum of 48 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nikki Wedgwood, nicole.wedgwood@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 5 December 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written work hurdle task Placement Country Background Research Report
Written Report ** must pass Assessment 1 to be eligible to go on placement.
35% STUVAC
Due date: 16 Nov 2025 at 11:59
1,800 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Portfolio or journal hurdle task Reflective Journal
Written reflections - see the HSBH3012 Canvas page for more details
30% Week 01
Due date: 01 Mar 2026 at 11:59
300 - 500 words for each placement day AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Written work hurdle task Final Report
Written Report - see the HSBH3012 Canvas page for more details
35% Week 02
Due date: 15 Mar 2026 at 11:59
1,500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

The assessments in this unit comprise of three written assessments.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A date and time has been set for receipt of each of your assignments. Unless an application for special consideration or special arrangement has been approved, students must submit all assessments on the due date specified in the unit of study outline. If the assessment is completed or submitted within an approved period of extension by way of an approved special consideration application or academic plan adjustment, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. If an assessment is submitted after the due date (or extended due date as described above), the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty for lateness according to Faculty policy, as follows: Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. Assessments submitted more than two weeks late without a special consideration or which are not submitted at all will result in an Absent Fail for the unit. NB: For assessments submitted on-line, it is up to the student to ensure they upload/submit the correct document. If they submit the wrong document and later submit the correct document, late penalties will apply if the resubmission is late.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Debrief Workshop Friday 20 February 2026 (11am - 1pm) Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 14 (STUVAC) Introductory Workshop Day 1- Monday 10 November 2025 (10am - 3pm) Block teaching (5 hr) LO1 LO2
Introductory Workshop Day 2 - Wednesday 12 November 2025 (10am - 3pm) Block teaching (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Compulsory Workshop Attendance: Students must attend both the workshops in the first week of the unit--before their placement--and the debrief workshop after their placement. They must actively participate in individual and group learning activities in these workshops as they are a vital part of the learning experience of this unit and a compulsory component of the course. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS MAY RESULT IN ENROLMENT INTO THE UNIT OF STUDY BEING REFUSED. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see the HSBH3012 Canvas site for list of required readings.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a basic understanding of the social underpinnings of global health, associated with well-being, human rights, and community participation of clients, whether individuals or groups
  • LO2. describe key health and development issues facing a particular developing country, and the roles various national and international, government and non-government organisations play in meeting local health needs
  • LO3. illustrate the capacity to reflect on the ethics of social responsibility and professional practice within a volunteer setting
  • LO4. adapt to the challenges of interacting and working in a different cultural environment
  • LO5. evaluate health or care programs currently operating in a specific local context; identifying strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches; and how to promote sustainability for ongoing community partnerships
  • LO6. engage in critical reflection, documenting and analysing experiences and practices from multiple perspectives, with the aim of identifying personal and professional gains from learning opportunities in this context.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

An application has been made to reintroduce Vietnam as an SHSA destination, in response to requests for this very popular destination and as a way of overcoming the recurring problem for Health Science students (eg Radiography, Speech) having difficulties fitting HSBH3012 into their degree diets. Because Vietnam does not have significant closures over the Christmas period, if the application to reintroduce the destination is successful, it will provide more flexibility in dates thus increase accessibility of the unit to a wider range of Health Science students keen to participate.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.