Business Practicum
Stand out to potential employers by completing a consulting project in a team with an Australian-based organisation. Offered in an intensive format, Business Practicum will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to collaborate within a cross functional team setting.
Benefits of the Business Practicum
By participating in Business Practicum, you will get the opportunity to:
- Apply your classroom theory, and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve a realistic business scenario
- Enhance your teamwork and communication skills, and demonstrate your ability to collaborate with stakeholders
- Receive guidance from an academic mentor and a project organisation mentor
- Gain confidence in managing yourself and feel ready to start employment
- Access industry networks and stand out to employers with proven project management experience
The next intakes of the Business Practicum will be Winter 2024 (Sydney) and Summer 2025 (Melbourne).
Key dates
If you are offered a place in the Business Practicum, you are required to participate in all listed activities. If you are unable to commit to one or more of these dates, please do not apply.
Activity | June 2024 |
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Applications open | Applications have closed |
Information session | You can view the most recent information session recording under "Information Sessions" below |
Applications close | Applications have closed |
Selection outcomes | Friday 22 March |
LMS modules due | Wednesday 26 June |
Induction training | Thursday 27 June In-person attendance compulsory (on campus) |
Arrival in Sydney | Sunday 30 June Students must arrive at designated accommodation by 3pm |
Company project period | Monday 1 - Friday 12 July |
Depart Sydney | Saturday 13 July |
Assessment period ends | Friday 19 July |
Eligibility
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You are enrolled into an approved graduate degree:
- Students enrolled in an approved MBS graduate degree are eligible to apply. Please check the University of Melbourne handbook (click on Further information > Related Handbook entries. If your course is not listed, you will need to seek approval from your Program Director) or with Course Planners at Stop 1 if you are unsure whether the Business Practicum can be taken as part of your current degree.
- Students enrolled in the Master of Engineering (Biomedical, Electrical, Mechanical, and Software streams) and Master of Information Technology are eligible to apply.
- Students enrolled in the Master of Information Systems are eligible to apply but must obtain written permission from the Master of Information Systems Program Coordinator. Proof of permission must be forwarded to mbs-practicums@unimelb.edu.au before application close date.
- Students enrolled in the Master of Marketing Communications are not eligible to apply.
- Other non-FBE students are not eligible to apply for any FBE practicum subjects without the prior approval of the Subject Coordinator. Proof of approval must be emailed to mbs-practicums@unimelb.edu.au before the application close date. Late approval submissions will not be accepted and applications without the required approval will be withdrawn. Please note: students undertaking the Master of Commerce (Finance) are generally ineligible to apply, due to limited elective options available in the course.
- Students who have already completed the Global Business Practicum subject (BUSA90485) may submit an expression of interest to participate in the Business Practicum, but will be placed on a waiting list and only offered a place based on availability.
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Your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) is 70% or higher:
Due to limited spaces, entry into the Business Practicum is competitive. Selection is based on a WAM for all postgraduate subjects successfully completed at the selection date, and is contingent on permission from the Subject Coordinator.
The minimum WAM requirement for the subject is 70% and the Selection Committee considers the following when allocating places:
- academic performance
- an overall match of skills, experience and interests to the available projects.
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You have completed a minimum of 50 credit points:
- Students enrolled in a MBS program or eligible non-MBS program must have completed a minimum of 50 points of their program at the time of application.
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You have space in your study plan for this subject:
Before applying, you should ensure there is space in your study plan for this subject. You can do this by adding the subject as ‘planned’ although this is not a requirement at the time of application.
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You have prepared your CV and had it reviewed:
At time of application:
Students are required to submit an updated CV to their BP application. The selection committee will use your CV to assess your suitability for the subject.If you receive an offer:
Students who receive an official offer for the BP must also submit their CV with evidence that the CV has scored a 'green' rating on the University of Melbourne's Smart Resume platform. View the sample CV guide and find out more about preparing your CV.The Careers & Employability Team has produced a video which demonstrates how to use the Smart Resume platform and its Smart Editor tool to achieve a green zone rating. Access the video on the Resources page in MBS Career Elevation.
EmployMe provides tools, resources and videos to build your skills in job seeking, resume building, interview performance and more.
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You have answered the following questions in the application form:
Question 1:
In your view, what positive impact should professional management consultants aspire to have on business and society? (max 200 words)Question 2:
What capabilities and experiences will you personally contribute to your Graduate Business Practicum team that will create value for your consulting client. (max 300 words)Question 3:
What personal development and growth outcomes do you aim to achieve by completing a Graduate Business Practicum subject. (max 300 words)We recommend you take some time to consider these questions and prepare your answers before you commence your application.
Cost
The cost of the Business Practicum is a standard University subject.
However, there will be additional costs associated with the travel component of the Winter 2024 intake for:
- Airfare to and from Sydney
- Accommodation for duration of the program (based on twin share / 2 bedroom apartment). This cost varies depending on destination - see more below
- Meals and transportation expenses while in Sydney
Location | Student Fee |
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Sydney | $1,661 |
Students should budget accordingly and contact mbs-practicums@unimelb.edu.au for more information on estimated expenses.
Funding
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FBE Travel Studentship
There are a number of FBE Travel Studentships valued at $2,000 for eligible students* to support travel to Sydney for the Business Practicum subject.
These studentships will help you to make the most of these amazing study experiences by contributing to many of the costs associated with participating such as the BP Program Fee (accommodation), flights and in-country costs.
Successful recipients will receive the FBE Travel Studentships in two parts - a Faculty subsidised BP Program Fee (no requirement for you to pay the BP Program Fee cost upfront), with the remainder of the $2000 to be paid to the student as a grant.
There is no separate application for the FBE Travel Studentships, all eligible applicants will automatically be considered.
*Eligibility is based on the data students provided at enrolment. Students are eligible if they meet one or more of the following specific categories: Recognition as an Indigenous Australian, home address is in a low socioeconomic area(as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics) and resident of a regional, rural or remote area of Australia.
Applications
Applications for Winter 2024 Business Practicum will open on Monday 26 February and close on Wednesday 13 March (11.59pm). Please follow the steps below to access the application form. Note that it will only be available during the application dates above.
If you have previously completed Global Business Practicum (BUSA90485) and wish to enrol in the Business Practicum, please email mbs-practicums@unimelb.edu.au. You will be added to a waitlist and you will be considered if places are not filled by applicants.
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Step 1
Access the Sonia Live platform: https://unimelb.sonialive.com/
Click into Faculty of Business and Economics, and then log in using your University of Melbourne student credentials.
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Step 2
Click on the Placements tab on the menu bar at the top of the page and search for the placement group for the Graduate Practicums subjects. For the 2024 Winter intake, this will be called “2024 Business Practicum_Winter”.
Please note that the Business Practicum placement group will only be open for you to join if applications are currently open for an upcoming intake. If the placement group does not allow you to join, it is likely that applications have not yet opened or have already closed. Check the key dates section above to find out when applications are open for this intake.
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Step 3
Click the green + Join option. This will give you access to the subject application form which can be found on the Forms tab. You may need to refresh your browser for this to appear.
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Step 4
Complete all fields of the application form and click submit. Please ensure you take note of the application due date as we do not accept late submissions.
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Step 5
After the subject application closing date, applications will be shortlisted and applicants will receive an outcome via email.
“For students approaching and in the process of applying for highly coveted graduate jobs, the Business Practicum is especially pertinent as it offers invaluable professional exposure and experience that could be the final clincher between them and their dream job.”
- Harpreet Kaur Sandhu, Business Practicum with KPMG Australia
Information session
Watch the online recording of the Winter 2024 information session where you'll hear from the Graduate Practicum Subject Coordinator, Sharon Soltys, as well as previous students who have completed these subjects.
Watch here!
Frequently asked questions
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Can I apply if I don’t have any consulting experience?
Yes, there is a full selection process to determine your eligibility and suitability for the program. Selection is not based on existing consulting experience.
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I want to take an online intensive subject over summer/winter while also completing a summer intensive /July intensive Business Practicum. Is this okay?
No, Business Practicum participants enrolled in the summer or winter intake will not be permitted to enrol in any other subjects that run in the same period as the Business Practicum intake. Both summer and winter intakes are intensive and will require 100% commitment from students.
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Can I choose the company or type of project?
No, students are allocated to teams and companies with specific projects. However, students are given the opportunity to advise their areas of interest which we endeavour to consider when allocating teams. Students will not be allocated to a project where they do not have the technical skills required. Most projects are multi-disciplinary.
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Can exchange students apply?
Exchange students can apply, and if they meet the criteria be interviewed. However, they will be placed on a waitlist and only receive an offer if there is spare capacity in the section.
Further information
View this subject in the Handbook.
Read about the experiences of MBS students who completed a consulting subject in Student Stories.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Business Practicum please email: mbs-practicums@unimelb.edu.au