JOIN THE UNISA PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Are you interested in hosting a student placement?

The Professional Placement or Project elective course offered by the University of South Australia (UniSA) comprises a professional placement for Master of Architecture students. It is a very popular, valued and important Work Integrated Learning opportunity for students who submit an expression of interest to participate and are then selected through an interview process. Many architecture practices in South Australia have provided appreciated support through participation in the program and have reported on the mutual benefits to students and the organisation. Whilst the University endeavours to provide this experience to as many students as possible, it is not always able to offer a placement to every student due to the number of organisations available to host in any particular year. The University is now looking to expand opportunities for its students of architecture by inviting further organisations to join the placement program with UniSA.

The aim of the placement is to extend students’ understanding of professional practice through involvement in a range of activities over a period of 150 hours (approximately 4 weeks full-time or equivalent part-time), with final arrangements negotiated between the host organisation and the student. The main placement period is November– February, although placements may be undertaken outside this period on a full-time or part-time basis if agreed by the University, the student and the host.

The activities undertaken by the student as part of the placement usually focus on the development of professional skills and knowledge, including communication processes and techniques, client liaison and interfacing with allied professions. Whilst it is anticipated that the majority of activities undertaken will be project-based, the placement also provides an opportunity for students to more broadly observe and analyse work practices and procedures in an architectural office or allied discipline, and to participate in other related activities such as site visits, meetings and research.

Before commencing the placement, students are required to complete an online Work Health & Safety training module (‘Undertaking a Safe Student Placement’) which explains their WH&S obligations and what to expect in the workplace. Organisations are required to provide students with an Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare workplace induction at the commencement of the placement and to provide the necessary resources, facilities and direction to undertake their activities. There is no expectation for remuneration as the placements are unpaid, and as such students are covered by UniSA’s insurance policy as part of the Work Integrated Learning agreement.

If you have not previously participated in the placement of an architecture student and are interested in finding out more, please contact the UniSA Creative Placement team at CTV-Placements@unisa.edu.au for further information.