Internships
Reach your full potential through a fully supported internship experience available as an elective course or a compulsory part of your degree.
Be ready now and for the future
Our internships enable you to gain hands-on industry experience before you graduate, in an area related to your degree and career aspirations.
Internships are a great way to demonstrate to future employers that you can apply your technical skills effectively in the workplace, interact positively with a range of different colleagues and clients and contribute positively to the day to day operations of their organisation with the guidance of a workplace and academic supervisor.
- Internships are typically 20 days in duration with exceptions on a case by case basis, usually over a 10 week period (2 days per week).
- Some internships are by application only and students will be selected through a competitive process.
- You may be required to provide a cover letter, resume and complete an online interview (at least one set of online interview should be submitted before your application is considered).
- The internship program is for enrolled, current students only.
If successful in obtaining an internship, students may choose to undertake the program for course credit. Students wishing to take this option must have a free elective within their program. Some internship courses may not allow you to enrol before securing an approved internship and in these cases, students will be enrolled into the course by the internships team. Course fees apply.
- Internships run during the University teaching periods
- Most internships are unpaid
- Students must have a minimum GPA 4.5 to be eligible
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Industry Internships
The Experience Internship Courses are offered as 3-unit and 6-unit elective courses. The internships can either be practical or research based and are designed to provide you with a real opportunity to gain insight into your field of study and interests with relevant and practical work-based or research-based experience. Internships develop your report writing and research skills, links your knowledge gained at the University with its practical application; and helps guide your career aspirations and role in society.
Internships range from 100-150 hours throughout the semester depending on the internship course you are enrolled in. The days and times of placement are negotiated with the host organisation.
The 3-unit Workplace Experience Internship Courses and Festival Internships are also offered to second and third year levels over Summer and some are available in Winter too.
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Sourcing an internship
Internships may be sourced in two ways:
- The Internships and Work-Integrated Learning office of the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics will assist you in sourcing an internship opportunity;
- You may identify potential work sites and source your own internship, which subsequently will require approval from the internship office.
Example host organisations
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Eligibility and selection criteria
Placement in internships will be determined by a range of factors, including your knowledge, interests and discipline, the requirements of the host organisation, the nature of the workplace project and the availability of internships. Although not a determining factor, Grade Point Average (GPA - your overall grade) may also be considered.
Current paid employment cannot count towards an internship.
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How do I apply?
Opportunities are regularly uploaded to CareerHub, where you can apply for internships directly online following the instructions. Furthermore, you can also source your own internships via your own networks.
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Self sourced internship
If you have been successful in finding your own internship, you may still be eligible to take the internship course. You must obtain approval from the Internship Team.
Applications must be submitted to the Internship Team at least 4 weeks prior to your start date
What we need:
- An official letter of offer (including start/finish dates, host organisation address, phone number, host organisation supervisor name and contact details)
- Australian host organisations must hold a minimum of $10 million in Public Liability Insurance. The host organisation may be asked to provide a copy of this
- For any overseas host organisation, we will require official documentation on the types of insurances that the host will be providing you with during your internship.
- Statement of duties, if not included in the letter of offer.
Eligibility:
- You must have 1 free elective within your program. This will usually be a general elective, however if you are looking to count this as a prescribed elective ie. Finance Elective, you must be able to prove that your internship is related to that field.
- Your internship must be related to your degree.
If your application is successful, you will be notified by email and the internship team will enrol you into the internship course. Course fees apply.
Note: your host supervisor will be contacted by the internships team to confirm information that you have provided and arrange a site visit. Please ensure you let them know.
Melissa Griffin
Bachelor of Media (Journalism)
"I undertook an internship with RCC on the Adelaide Uni campus as a marketing intern, and I focussed on ticket sales, social media and advertising. This entailed everything from writing the weekly 'what's on' emails to posting Instagram stories and helping out TV camera crews. My internship was not only fun, but has also opened up many doors for the future with employable skills and connections within the business."
CareerHub also offers you more resources to enhance your employability
- Access to University-wide internships, jobs, graduate programs, vacation work, volunteer opportunities and more
- Events and workshops
- Career resources
To view University wide internship opportunities, you can log in below using your Student ID and password.
Media student Ayaz Khan made this video as part of his internship with Professor Jennie Shaw. Imagine what you could do in yours!
Career Services: Student Internship Reflections (Faculty of Arts, Business, Law & Economics)
Studying International Development, Media, Music, Environmental Policy and Management, International Relations or Politics?
Additional internships are available for you:
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Environmental Policy and Management Internship
The Environmental Policy and Management internship is a 6-unit course designed for final year undergraduate students studying Environmental Policy and Management.
This course gives you the opportunity to spend up to two days per week during the semester, or undertake a concentrated block, working as an intern with a community, business/industry or government agency engaged in environmental policy, planning and management activities, or with an individual or group engaged in environmental research.
During your internship, you will be assigned a specific project by your host organisation and be asked to prepare a report on the results of your project at the end of your experience.
Eligibility and selection criteria
To be eligible to apply for the Environmental Policy and Management course:
- You must be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate program within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics.
- You must be in your final year of study.
You are encouraged to consider your host organisation and projects at least three months prior to commencing the course. You must contact the Faculty Internship office upon enrolment into the course.
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Tetra Tech Coffey International Development Scholarships
Coffey International Ltd is an organisation that is part of the Tetra Tech group, a leading provider of consulting, engineering, program management, construction management, and technical services. Coffey's international development team has world-class expertise in international development and has partnered with the government and private sector to deliver successful development programs around the world.
The Tetra Tech Coffey International Development Scholarships have been established by the University of Adelaide and Tetra Tech Coffey International Ltd to support up to six students who are undertaking a program of study International Development at an undergraduate or Honours level. The Scholarship is financially supported for the student and covers costs including travel, accommodation, living and other expenses related to undertaking the internship at Coffey.
Eligibility and selection criteria
To be eligible to apply for The Tetra Tech Coffey International Development Scholarships:
- You must be studying on a full-time basis at the University of Adelaide.
- You must be undertaking the Bachelor of International Development at undergraduate level or the Honours degree of Bachelor of International Development HDEVT, or, the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts (International Development) HBARTS (DEVT) at Honours level. Selection of the successful candidate will be made by a selection panel including staff from the Department of Anthropology and International Development (DEVT Staff) and Coffey International Ltd. Selection will be based on academic merit and suitability of the candidates. Academic merit will be determined according to students' overall cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
How do I apply?
More Information
For more information please contact ABLE operations.
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International Relations Internship
The International Relations Internship provides students with an opportunity to gain exposure to an organisation or NGO concerned with International Affairs and participate in a work-based research project. In some cases the internship may include working with the organisations at their offices 1-2 days per week, however the majority will be project-based and may be conducted externally.
Eligibility and selection criteria
To be eligible to apply for the International Relations Internship course:
- You must be enrolled in the Bachelor of International Relations or have very strong results in courses dealing with international affairs.
- You must have a minimum GPA of 5.0.
- You must be in your final year of study.
You are encouraged to consider your host organisation and projects at least three months prior to commencing the course. You must contact the Faculty Internship office upon enrolment into the course.
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Media Industry Transitions
Media Industry Transitions (MIT) is a final-year industry internship course in the Bachelor of Media program, and the capstone for the Media major. In this course you are encouraged to source your own internship. In addition to academic requirements, you spend 100 hours in a professional organisation. This gives you an industry experience that helps you to better understand how media and communications theory operates in practice.
Eligibility and selection criteria
- You must be enrolled in a Bachelor of Media program or undertaking a Media major
- You must be undertaking your final year of study.
You are encouraged to consider your host organisation and projects at least three months prior to commencing the course as the process may take some time.
Please ensure you are checking the current opportunities page for Media roles that have already been approved.
You must contact the Faculty Internship Office to receive a copy of the internship documentation which is to be completed and approved prior to commencement. -
Music Internships
The major focus of the Music Internship is to complete a specifically tailored project relevant to your studies and career aspirations. The project should be conceived and planned by you in conjunction with the host organisation and the Elder Conservatorium Internship Coordinator.
For more information, please visit the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
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Parliamentary Internship Program
The Parliamentary Internship program is a 6-unit course designed for final year undergraduate students studying Politics or International Relations.
This program gives you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the workings of the Parliament by working with a Member of Parliament on a research topic nominated by the Member.
Eligibility and selection criteria
To be eligible to apply for the Parliamentary Internship Program:
- You need to be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate program within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics.
- You must be in your final year of study.
Entry to the program may be competitive and is not guaranteed. You must enrol as early as possible to be considered as the program is determined by quota. Final selection may be based on academic merit and other factors.
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Postgraduate Internships
Workplace Experience PostGraduate
The Workplace Experience Postgraduate internship course is offered as 6-unit elective course to all postgraduate students in the faculty. The 150-hour internship can either be practical or research based and is designed to provide you with a real opportunity to gain insight into your field of study and interests with relevant and practical work-based or research-based experience. The days and times of placement are negotiated with the host organisation.Leadership in Strategic Communication
Leadership in Strategic Communication is a postgraduate industry internship course as part of the Master of Media (Strategic Communication) program where you source your own internship. In addition to academic requirements, you spend 100 hours in a professional organisation. This gives you an industry experience that helps you to better understand how media and communications theory operates in practice.
Contact us
- Phone: 08 8313 0400
- Email: internships@adelaide.edu.au
- ABLE Internships Drop-In
Are you a business looking for an intern?
Tell us about an internship you are offering so we can let our students know about it.