Frequently asked questions - Internship Units

Browse through the commonly asked questions below about internship units, the application process, sourcing internship hosts and more.

Applications and eligibility

Where do I apply for a Science Industry Experience unit?

All students must submit an application for the Industry Experience program, whether you are applying for a Monash Sourced placement or have secured your own Student Led placement.

Which Science Industry Experience unit should I apply for?

The appropriate unit will depend on your course, available elective space and the number of placement hours you intend to complete. Students should check the unit requirements and seek course advice from the Faculty if they are unsure which unit fits their course plan.

What is the difference between SCI3920 and SCI3925?

SCI3920 is a 6-credit-point unit requiring 110 placement hours, while SCI3925 is a 12-credit-point unit requiring 220 placement hours.

Both units require you to:

• be enrolled in a Science course; and
• have completed 72 credit points, including a minimum of 48 credit points in Science units.

If you have room in your course for a longer placement, you may be able to undertake SCI3925. We recommend seeking course advice to confirm which unit best fits within your course plan.

Can I enrol myself into an Industry Experience unit?

You should only enrol in the relevant Industry Experience unit once your placement has been confirmed and you have received instructions to proceed with enrolment.

Can I apply for credit for a completed internship or work placement?

No. You cannot apply for credit for an internship or work placement after it has been completed.

If you are considering an internship opportunity that you would like to complete as part of an Industry Experience unit, you must submit an application and receive the required approvals before commencing the placement.

Can I overload while completing an Industry Experience unit?

If completing an Industry Experience unit would result in an overload, or you are planning to undertake additional units during the same teaching period (winter, SSA, SSB), you should seek course advice before applying.

Please contact Monash Connect to confirm whether the proposed study load is suitable for your course progression.

Can I apply for both Monash Sourced and Student Led?

Yes. Monash Sourced applications close earlier than Student Led applications, so if you have not yet secured your own placement, we recommend applying for Monash Sourced while continuing to explore Student Led opportunities.

If you later secure your own placement and submit a Student Led application, please let the Monash Internships Team know as soon as possible.

Once the Monash Sourced matching process has commenced, we ask students to commit to the process. If you have already been matched with or accepted a Monash Sourced placement, you may not be able to change to a Student Led placement

Do most Science students complete a Monash Sourced or Student Led placement?

The split varies from semester to semester depending on student applications and the placement opportunities available. In general, we see more Monash Sourced placements than Student Led placements.

Monash Sourced placements and matching

What Monash-sourced placement opportunities exist for Science students?

Placement opportunities vary each teaching period depending on host availability and industry demand. The Monash Internships Team works with industry throughout the year to develop opportunities across a range of Science disciplines and areas.

We encourage students to keep an open mind when considering opportunities. Industry Experience can provide valuable professional skills and industry exposure even when a placement is not in a very specific or niche area of interest. We cannot guarantee that a Monash Sourced placement will be available in a particular organisation, discipline or niche area.

Are laboratory or research-based placements available?

Laboratory, research and R&D opportunities may be available, but this varies each teaching period and depends on the opportunities offered by our industry partners. If you are looking for a very specific type of experience, we encourage you to also explore Student Led opportunities, as we cannot guarantee that a Monash Sourced placement will match a particular area of interest.

Are chemistry-related internships available?

Chemistry-related opportunities may be available, but the number and type of placements vary each teaching period depending on host availability. We cannot guarantee placements within a particular discipline, so we encourage students to consider a range of opportunities that can provide relevant industry experience and transferable skills.

How are students assessed and selected for Monash Sourced placements?

Monash Sourced applicants are assessed based on their application responses, résumé and virtual video interview. Students who progress through this assessment process may then be considered for suitable placement opportunities.

Is the Monash Sourced application process competitive?

Yes. The Monash Sourced application and matching process is competitive, and progressing through the application process does not guarantee a placement.

We recommend submitting a strong application, including a professional résumé, thoughtful application responses and well-prepared virtual video interview responses. These may be considered when shortlisting and matching students to suitable host opportunities.

Host organisations may also review shortlisted candidates and conduct their own interview or selection process before making a final decision.

How are students matched to Monash Sourced placement opportunities?

When matching students, we consider a range of factors including the student's area of study, the host's requirements, location and transport. Some Science placement opportunities are located outside metropolitan areas, so flexibility around location and travel may increase the range of opportunities available to you.

Are Monash Sourced placements guaranteed if I progress through the process?

No. We try our best to place students who progress through the assessment and matching process, but a placement cannot be guaranteed. The number and type of opportunities available varies each teaching period and depends on host demand, student suitability and matching requirements.

What happens after I submit a Monash Sourced application?

Your application and eligibility will be assessed by the Monash Internships Team. As part of the selection process, we will review your application responses and résumé, and you will be invited to complete a virtual video interview.

If you meet the eligibility requirements and successfully progress through the assessment process, you will be considered for suitable host opportunities based on your area of study, interests, location, transport options and the requirements of our host partners.

If you are matched to an opportunity, the host will review your application and may invite you to an interview. If you are successful, your placement will be confirmed and you can proceed with enrolment and the required pre-placement steps.

Do I need access to a car for a Science placement?

Not necessarily. However, some Science placement opportunities are located outside metropolitan areas or may be difficult to access by public transport.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide information about your transport and travel availability. Please answer these questions accurately, as the information you provide will be considered when matching you to suitable placement opportunities.

If you are matched to a placement based on the information provided in your application and later change your availability or transport preferences, this may not be accepted as grounds for a re-match.

Being flexible about location and travel may increase the range of placement opportunities available to you.

Can I request a different placement after I have been matched?

Monash Sourced placements are matched based on the information you provide in your application, your suitability for the opportunity and the host’s requirements. All Monash Sourced placements are pre-approved to align with the relevant unit learning outcomes.

If you have a genuine reason for requesting a different placement, you can submit a Placement Re-match Request Form. Re-match requests are only considered where they meet the criteria outlined in the form, such as distance, special circumstances, conflict of interest or ethical concerns, or language requirements.

Submitting a re-match request does not guarantee another placement. If you decline your current match, the opportunity may be allocated to another student and you will be placed on a waiting list. You will only be considered for another match if a suitable additional opportunity becomes available.

It is important that the information you provide in your original application is accurate. A re-match request may not be accepted if the reason for declining the placement is inconsistent with the information you provided during the application process.

Student Led placements

What is a Student Led placement?

A Student Led placement is an internship opportunity that you identify and secure yourself rather than being matched to a host through the Monash Sourced process. You must still submit a Student Led application through InPlace and the placement must be reviewed and approved before it can proceed.

How can I find my own Student Led placement?

There are a number of ways you can explore potential Student Led opportunities. You may wish to:

• search graduate, internship and employment websites;
• explore professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn;
• check the careers pages of organisations you are interested in;
• approach organisations directly; or
• use your personal and professional networks to identify potential opportunities.

Once you have secured a potential opportunity, you must submit a Student Led application through InPlace. The placement and host organisation must be reviewed and approved by Monash before you commence.

When should I submit a Student Led application?

Submit your Student Led application through InPlace once you have secured a potential placement. Make sure you allow enough time for the placement and host requirements to be reviewed before your proposed start date. Please check the Monash Internships website for the relevant application dates and deadlines.

What if I get a Student Led placement after applying for Monash Sourced?

If Student Led applications are still open, you can submit a Student Led application through InPlace. Please also inform the Monash Internships Team as soon as possible so we can update your Monash Sourced application.

If the Monash Sourced matching process has already commenced, or you have already been matched with or accepted a Monash Sourced placement, you may not be able to change to a Student Led placement.

If you are unsure, please contact the Monash Internships Team before making any changes to your placement arrangements.

Can I complete an Industry Experience placement with my current employer?

Potentially. Placements with your current employer are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The placement should provide you with appropriate industry experience and opportunities to develop skills and experience beyond your usual work. The proposed duties must also be relevant to your course and meet the requirements of the Industry Experience unit.

You must submit a Student Led application through InPlace, and the placement will need to be reviewed and approved before it can proceed.

Placement arrangements, dates and hours

Can my placement be paid or unpaid?

Monash Sourced placements are generally unpaid. Student Led placements can be either paid or unpaid, subject to the relevant placement requirements and approval process.

Can I complete my placement part-time or full-time?

Placements may be completed either part-time or full-time, depending on the requirements of your unit, the teaching period and the arrangements agreed with your host.

During Semester 1 and Semester 2, placements are generally undertaken part-time as students are often completing other units alongside their internship. Some Industry Experience units may require a greater time commitment and may be undertaken full-time.

For SCI3920, SCI3925 and SCI3501, international students should also consider their student visa work restrictions when planning their placement hours. Student visa holders may be subject to a 48-hour per fortnight work limit. Please check the current rules for working on a student visa, including any applicable exceptions.

Can I complete a placement interstate or overseas?

Yes. Student Led placements may be undertaken interstate or overseas, subject to the relevant approval and placement requirements.

For Monash Sourced placements, we generally aim to source opportunities within metropolitan Melbourne. Occasionally, suitable Science opportunities may be located outside the metropolitan area. If we are considering you for an opportunity outside metropolitan Melbourne, we will contact you first to confirm that you are comfortable with the location and able to travel before progressing with the match.

When can I start my placement?

Your placement must take place within the approved teaching period and you must commence before the relevant census date. Students are encouraged to commence by at least Week 2 where possible. For Summer and Winter teaching periods, students cannot commence their placement until they have completed exams from the previous teaching period. For Monash Sourced placements, the Monash Internships Team will provide the placement dates and ensure they do not overlap with the relevant exam period.

How do I record my placement hours?

You are responsible for keeping an accurate record of the hours you complete during your placement. Your required placement hours must be completed within the approved placement period.

When do I need to complete my placement hours?

Your required placement hours must be completed within the approved placement period, which is generally by the end of the relevant teaching period.

Your placement confirmation email will include the final date by which you must complete your placement hours.

Your working days and schedule should be agreed with your host to ensure you can complete the required hours within this timeframe.

Assessments and workshops

When is the Internship Plan due?

Yes. Completing the required placement hours is only one component of your Industry Experience unit. You will also need to complete the relevant academic assessments and other unit requirements.

Please refer to the relevant Unit Handbook for details of your assessment requirements. If you have any questions about assessments, please contact your Unit Coordinator.

Assessments and workshops - SCI3920, SCI3925 and SCI3501 units

When is the Internship Plan due?

The Internship Plan is due within 10 days of your first day at placement. It is intended to provide a guideline for what you plan to achieve during your internship.

When do I complete the Interview with a Professional assessment?

The Interview with a Professional assessment is completed during the teaching period.

What does the Final Project assessment involve?

The Final Project is a written document presenting what you achieved during the teaching period and your placement.

Is the oral presentation related to the Final Project?

Yes. The oral presentation also covers your placement experience and what you achieved, including tips or insights for future interns.

Are the workshops compulsory?

Students in the 12-credit-point unit should aim to attend all six two-hour workshops.

Are the workshops held on campus or online?

The workshops are held on campus. Students who are overseas can attend via Zoom.

Are the workshops recorded?

No. The workshops are not recorded.

Support and contacts

Who do I contact with questions about my placement or application process?

For questions about your Industry Experience application, Monash Sourced matching, Student Led application or placement arrangements, please contact the Monash Internships Team at ie.science@monash.edu.

Who do I contact with questions about my Industry Experience unit or tests?

For questions about unit content, assessments or academic requirements, please contact the relevant Unit Coordinator

Who should I contact about eligibility or course planning?

For questions about your eligibility, course progression or whether an Industry Experience unit will fit within your course, please contact Monash Connect for course advice.

Still have further questions? For questions regarding the structure and assessment of an internship unit, contact the relevant Unit Coordinator or refer to the Industry internship experiences website.