International Work Placement

RIIERP

Since 1992, the RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP) has provided outstanding opportunities for more than 1,000 RMIT students from all disciplines to undertake industry work experience overseas with some of the world’s leading companies. Participating students are paid for their work and are able to obtain academic credit by enrolling into international industry experience courses designed for the program.

These opportunities are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing programs by coursework or research. They usually involve placements of 6 to 12 months with major industrial enterprises, mostly in Europe and the United States. Participating companies include such respected names as Airbus, EADS, Bentley Motors, Fujitsu-Siemens, BMW, Nestlé, Robert Bosch, Siemens, Volkswagen and the Rolls-Royce Group in both North America and Europe.

Each year about 150 participants are able to undertake industry work experience, graduate industry traineeships, student exchange and final-year projects, postgraduate research and postdoctoral research fellowships.

Overseas work experience

Work integrated learning (WIL) is an important part of RMIT’s approach to education. By bringing together the theory learnt in the classroom with experience of the realities of the workplace, RMIT graduates develop a can-do edge. Many business programs offer a co-operative year – usually referred to as a coop year of hands-on work experience. Clinical placements are a major element of many programs in Medical Sciences. Other disciplines such as International Studies also offer industry placements of varying lengths.

In many instances, your workplace learning is not restricted to Australia. Discuss with your program leader the options for international work placements, internships and clinical experience. Most industry placements pay a trainee salary that can help you support yourself overseas.

Information about Travel Grants for unpaid work placements is available at: http://rmit.edu.au/international/educationabroad/travelgrants