Industry-connected learning from day one.

At UNSW College, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) connects what you learn with the world of work. Throughout your Applied Program, you’ll have opportunities to apply your knowledge through authentic projects and challenges, engage with industry professionals

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Build experience while you study

Your career journey starts from day one. Through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), you'll have opportunities to apply what you learn, build professional skills and connect with industry throughout your studies.

From industry projects and career development to Professional Practice and capstone experiences, each stage of your program is designed to help you build the confidence and capabilities to take your next step after graduation.

Your WIL journey

YEAR 1 
Discover & Prepare

Explore your career options, start building professional skills and connect with industry.

  • Career development
  • Industry speakers
  • Workshops and simulations
  • Networking
  • Foundational industry projects

YEAR 2
Develop & Apply

Put your skills into practice through authentic industry-connected experiences.

  • Industry projects
  • Authentic briefs and simulations
  • Mentoring and employer engagement
  • Professional skill development
  • Industry feedback

YEAR 3 
Experience & Transition

Demonstrate what you can do and prepare for your transition into the workforce.

  • Professional Practice
  • Capstone experiences
  • Employer feedback
  • Career transition
  • Graduate portfolio and reflection

What you'll experience

Industry Projects

Work on authentic challenges and briefs designed with or informed by industry.

Industry Advisors

Learn from professionals through guest sessions, mentoring, events and other industry-connected experiences.

Networking

Build confidence connecting with industry and developing your professional network.

Career Development

Develop practical skills for your future career, from professional communication to applications and interviews.

Professional Practice

Apply your learning through an approved professional practice experience aligned to your program.

Capstone Experience

Bring your learning together by applying your skills to an authentic challenge.

Your employability skills passport

Throughout your degree, you’ll build skills that employers value- and your Employability Skills Passport will help you keep track of them. 

The passport is designed to help you capture the skills and experience you develop through your studies, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), workshops, projects and industry engagement. Over time you’ll build a record of your development and examples of what you can do. 

By the time you’re preparing for internships, graduate roles or your next career step, your Passport will help you identify your strengths and draw on real examples when developing your resume, LinkedIn profile, job applications and interview responses. 

Build evidence of what you can do

As you progress through your program, your Employability skills Passport helps you capture the skills and experiences you develop along the way. You'll build evidence that helps you recognise your strengths, reflect on your development and communicate your capabilities to future employers.
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Problem solving
  • Critical thinking 
  • Digital literacy
  • Professionalism
  • Leadership
  • Intercultural capability 
  • Ethics
  • Career development

Connect with industry

ndustry connection is built throughout your learning experience. Depending on your program, you may engage with industry professionals through projects, guest sessions, mentoring, networking, employer events and other approved WIL activities.

Industry tools, platforms and credentials

Depending on your program, you may have opportunities to engage with industry-recognised tools, platforms, learning resources and credentials that complement your studies and help build career-relevant capabilities.

IT students may engage with
Industry-standard software, development environments and digital platforms: Work with the tools and platforms used in moderns IT practice
Cybersecurity labs and simulated environments: Develop and test your skills in secure, hands-on settings
Cloud technologies and services: Gain experience with cloud platforms and infrastructure
Programming, database, networking and software development tools: Build, connect and manage systems using industry-relevant tools. 
Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies and applications: Explore emerging technologies and their real-world applications
Industry case studies and real-world datasets: Analyse real data and solve problems that matter
Simulations and workplace scenarios: Apply your knowledge in realistic, practical situations
Industry-designed projects and authentic briefs: Work on meaningful projects developed with industry
Industry learning resources and training: Access curated resources to build your technical skills.
Microcredentials, digital badges and industry recognized certifications, where available: Enhance your resume with recognized credentials
Professional networking and employability platforms including LinkedIn and the Employability Passport: Build your network and showcase your capabilities

Business students may engage with
Industry-standard software, development environments and digital platforms: Use the tools and platforms that support business decision-making
Software development tools: Explore tools used to build solutions and improve processes
Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies and applications: Understand how AI and ML drive innovation in business 
Organisation and industry case studies and real-world datasets: Learn from real business challenges and data
Simulations and workplace scenarios: Practice decision-making in realistic business contexts
Industry-designed projects and authentic briefs: Apply your skills to projects shaped by industry needs
Industry learning resources and training: Access resources to strengthen your business capabilities
Microcredentials, digital badges and industry-recognized certifications, where available: Build your credentials and stand out to employers
Professional networking and employability platforms, including LinkedIn and the Employability Passport: Grow your network and build your career profile

Career & employability support

You'll have access to career and employability support designed to help you prepare for the workplace and make the most of your WIL experiences.
  • Career coaching and workshops
  • Interview and application preparation
  • Professional communication and networking
  • LinkedIn and career profile development
  • Professional development resources
  • WIL support
  • Academic guidance and support

Preparing for the Australian workplace

International students can access career and employability support to help prepare for study and work in Australia. This includes guidance and resources on Australian workplace expectations, professional communication, networking, job preparation and work rights, where relevant.

Throughout their studies, students will also develop confidence as independent learners while building the professional skills and capabilities needed to navigate the Australian workplace and prepare for future employment.

Build experience while you study

Your learning goes beyond the classroom. Throughout your Applied Program, you’ll combine scheduled classes with independent study, authentic projects, career development and industry-connected learning experiences designed to help you apply what you learn. 

Through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) you’ll engage in activities such as industry projects and challenges, simulations, career workshops, networking and engagement with industry professionals. As you progress through your program, you’ll have opportunities to build towards Professional Practice and capstone experiences. 

This approach gives you the flexibility to take ownership of your learning while continuing to build the skills, experience and confidence you’ll need for your future career. 

Ready to stat your career journey?

Scheduled learning

Engage with your teachers and peers through classes and structured learning activities.

Independent learning    

Build confidence managing your studies and developing as an independent learner.

Applied learning    

Put your knowledge into practice through projects, simulations and authentic challenges.

Industry-connected learning

Engage with industry professionals, career activities and WIL experiences throughout your program.

Ready to start your career journey?

Explore our Applied Programs and discover how industry-connected learning can help you build the skills, experience and confidence for your future career.
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UNSW College delivers its Applied Degrees, Foundation Studies, Academic English, Diplomas, and Pre-Masters Program under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K; TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).

UNSW College also delivers UNSW Diplomas on behalf of UNSW Sydney under CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).

See unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information.

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