Understanding the Diploma in IT Professional Practice
In order to make the most of your internship and develop the skills and experience of interest to you, it is important that you understand the structure and purpose of the Diploma in IT Professional Practice (DipITProfPrac).
The DipITProfPrac is the component of your IT course that enables you to prepare career skills through Work Integrated Learning and experience a professional industry placement. The Diploma lets you mould your practical experience to suit your learning and career goals.
Course structure
The BScIT DipITProfPrac requires completion of 192 credit points comprised of the following:
- 48 credit points of core subjects;
- 48 credit points of an IT major;
- 48 credit points of electives; and
- 48 credit points of the DipITProfPrac.
Professional practice
The DipITProfPrac is a compulsory part of this course and incorporates:
- a minimum nine months' internship; and
- four supporting Work Integrated Learning subjects
FAQs
When can I take the Diploma?
If you are studying full-time, you can normally undertake the Diploma after completing Year 2 and after obtaining suitable full-time employment in the IT industry.
International students can work full-time for the duration of the Diploma.
What is the purpose of the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) subjects?
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is one aspect of UTS’s dedication to providing real-world learning to prepare you for your career.
WIL is your opportunity to take academic and practice-based professional learning together within a work environment as part of your course of study.
In your course, WIL subjects are required and establish the beginning of your training as a professional, enable you to take placements within industry and build industry contacts.
The successful completion of WIL subjects accrues credit points towards your degree and launches your internship.
Why is my student peer taking less internship subjects and not doing the WIL subjects?
Depending on which year you started the Bachelor of Science in IT (BScIT), there are different course requirements.
In 2015, the BScIT DipITProfPrac was updated as a requirement of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
It is important to the Faculty and AQF that you receive credit for all the work you do as part of the Diploma.
What changed and why?
From January 2015, all students commencing study must be enrolled in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) compliant course. This means that students who are currently enrolled in courses that commenced prior to 2015 will not be affected by AQF course changes. That is why some students have different requirements for the DipITProfPrac.
The Diploma curriculum changed to align with:
- Industry preference for holistic Work Integrated Learning experience
- AQF requirements
- UTS internships providing more than simply work experience- the Diploma is a WIL program that deliberately includes internship preparation, WIL subjects and support while on placement and experiential review.
What is the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)?
AQF is a national policy designed to regulate qualifications in the higher education sector. The standards cover the level of knowledge, skills, and the application of knowledge and skills, expected of students at varying qualification levels. The AQF has recently been revised to include additional guidelines for course content and duration, which has impacted on courses offered at UTS.
As part of the AQF, the DipITProfPrac needed to be updated to acknowledge and credit Work Integrated Learning. Previously, students needed to do similar work but did not receive credit towards the course.
Can I opt out of the Diploma?
Domestic students enrol in the BScIT single degree with the DipITProfPrac.
You can usually opt out of the Diploma if you transfer to a BScIT combined degree with Arts in International Studies, Business, Creative Intelligence and Innovation, or Law.
Who do I contact for more information?
You can get in touch with the Teaching and Learning Engagement Team on feitinternships@uts.edu.au.
