Feedback from employers consistently shows that students who have gained work experience during their studies are highly desired. To enable this, UTS IT courses are offered in conjunction with the Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice.
What is the Diploma in IT Professional Practice?
Simply put, it's an internship. With the Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice, you complete a minimum of 9 months' work experience before you graduate. Completing an internship allows you to integrate what you're learning in the classroom into a work environment.
Benefits of completing an internship
Practical experience in the workplace is a great way to learn. Students find that they perform better in their subjects after completing their internship, meaning they contribute more to class and bring their work experience to their academic learning. There are many other benefits, including:
- gaining insight into future employment opportunities, plus the type of organisation you could work for
- picking up the relevant skills and experience needed for your chosen career
- developing better communication and interpersonal skills so that you can better work in a team and function as a true professional
- networking opportunities, including coming across invaluable mentors and contacts that help shape your future career
- taking on real responsibilities – the kind of experience that goes a long way in impressing future employers.
Work Integrated Learning Team (internships)
You'll need to manage your own internships; however, the faculty Work Integrated Learning Team (internships) and UTS Careers Team can assist you with this process. The teams maintain
links with more than 1000 organisations offering both scholarships and internships. They also offer opportunities to find mentors, meet contacts, and build networks that are invaluable for your future career. You can learn more about the Work Integrated Learning Team (internships) on the current student site.
Financial benefits
In most cases, internships are paid and reflect UTS's compliment to industry-based learning - helping you gain a better idea of the economic, social and environmental realities of the working world. Pay can vary a great deal as students directly negotiate their internship conditions.
Who can do the Diploma?
Students studying a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice usually complete their internship during the third year of their full-time course.
Once subject pre-requisites have been met and students have secured an approved position in the IT industry, students in the following degrees may also enrol into the Diploma program as an additional year to their degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Games Development
- Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
Non-UTS students who hold an ACS Foundation Scholarship (opens external site) can also apply for the Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice.
Bachelor of Information Technology Co-operative Scholarship students complete two 6-month internships with different sponsor organisations in the first and third years of their degree.