Global Business Practicum

Get ahead when seeking employment by undertaking a remote learning experience that gives you credit towards your degree. Global Business Practicum gives you the opportunity to collaborate with team members on a realistic business scenario posed by an overseas company.

Benefits of the Global Business Practicum

The November 2023 and January 2024 Global Business Practicum (GBP) will be conducted in-person. The November 2023 GBP will involve travel to Dublin or London and the January 2024 GBP will involve travel to Ho Chi Minh City or Singapore.

By participating in GBP, 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 global networks and stand out to employers with proven project management experience

Key dates

If you are offered a place in GBP, 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.

2023 November and 2024 January 

ActivityNovember (Dublin and London) 2023January (Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore) 2024
Applications openApplications have closedApplications have closed
Information session (on campus)Thursday 3 August 2023, 12:30pm-1:30pmThursday 3 August 2023, 12:30pm-1:30pm
Applications closeApplications have closedApplications have closed
Interviews (in-person, on campus)Wednesday 16 August 2023 - Friday 18 August 2023Wednesday 16 August 2023 - Friday 18 August 2023
Selection outcomesMonday 21 August 2023 (approx.)Monday 21 August 2023 (approx.)
Careers and Employability "Smart Resume demonstration" video to help you reach the green zoneAccess hereAccess here
Offer acceptances dueSunday 27 August 2023Sunday 27 August 2023
Induction Training and Logistics Briefing (in-person, on campus)Tuesday 12 September 2023, 5.15 - 6.45pmTuesday 12 September 2023, 5.15 - 6.45pm
LMS modules dueFriday 17 November 2023, 11.59pmFriday 17 November 2023, 11.59pm
Induction training (in-person, on campus)Saturday 18 November 2023Saturday 18 November 2023
Students arrive in countryTuesday 28 November 2023Wednesday 10 January 2024
In-companyThursday 30 November - Wednesday 13 December 2023Thursday 11 January - Wednesday 24 January 2024
Students depart countryThursday 14 December 2023Thursday 25 January 2024
Teaching period endsFriday 22 December 2023Friday 2 February 2024

Eligibility

  • 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 GBP can be taken as part of your current degree.
    • Students enrolled in the Master of Engineering (Biomedical, Electrical, Mechanical, and Software streams), Master of Information Systems and Master of Information Technology are 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 Business Practicum subject (BUSA90473) may submit an expression of interest to participate in the Global Business Practicum, but will be placed on a waiting list and only offered a place based on availability.
  • Your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) is 70% or higher

    Due to limited spaces, entry into the GBP 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.
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • You are available to attend an interview if you are successful in the shortlisting stage

    Students who are successful in the shortlisting stage will be invited to attend either an in-person or online interview (dependent on COVID-19 restrictions at the time of scheduled interviews). You must attend an interview if you wish to be considered for a place in the GBP.

  • You have prepared your CV and had it reviewed

    Students who receive an official offer for the GBP must submit a 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.

Costs and funding

The cost of the Global Business Practicum is a standard University subject.

However, there will be additional costs associated with the travel component of the November 2023 and January 2024 intakes for:

  • Airfare to and from the destination country
  • Faculty subsidised accommodation cost during the trip (cost varies depending on destination)
  • Meals and transportation expenses while abroad
  • Visa application fees (if required for the destination country)

These additional costs will vary depending on the destination city and specific itinerary of the trip. Students should budget accordingly and consult with the experiential learning coordinators for more information on estimated expenses.

LocationStudent fee
DublinAUD $2115
LondonAUD $2815
Ho Chi Minh CityAUD $970
SingaporeAUD $2076

FBE Travel Grant

The Faculty of Business and Economics will provide a travel grant to students participating in the November 2023 and January 2024 intakes to assist with travel costs.

Please note that this grant is only available to FBE students who have not previously received a Travel Grant from FBE (e.g. the $750 Business Practicum Travel Grant).

LocationTravel grant
DublinAUD $1000
LondonAUD $1000
Ho Chi Minh CityAUD $250
SingaporeAUD $1000

Funding options

OS-HELP Loan

Available to students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in a degree course who want to undertake part of their study overseas. Find out more here.

Student Financial Aid

A range of funding available usually in the form of interest-free loans. Please see the Financial aid website for more information.

Applications

Applications for the November 2023 and January 2024 intake of Global Business Practicum have now closed.

Please note, applications for Global Business Practicum (BUSA90485) are combined with the applications for Business Practicum (BUSA90473).

If you have already completed Business Practicum (BUSA90473) and wish to enrol in GBP, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 2023 November and 2024 January intake, this will be called “2023 2024 Graduate Practicums - Global Business Practicum and Business Practicum”.

    Please note that the Global 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.

  • Step 3

    Click the green + Join option. This will give you access to the subject application form which can Forms tab (you may need to refresh your browser for this to appear).

  • Step 4

    Complete all fields of the application form and, when ready, click submit. Please ensure you take note of the application due date as we do not accept late submissions.

  • Step 5

    After the closing date, applications will be shortlisted and applicants will receive an outcome via email.

“I am convinced that the Global Business Practicum has made me industry-ready, with the first of many online client pitches and professional experiences. Therefore, I would encourage all students to shed their inhibitions and pursue the remote Global Business Practicum - it is guaranteed to make you feel confident and ready to enter a rapidly evolving working environment.”

- Mallika Dutta, Global Business Practicum with Two Hands, a company in Shanghai

Read about Mallika's experience

Information session

To view the recording of the Graduate Practicums Summer 2023/2024 information session, please click here.

Frequently asked questions

  • 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.

  • I want to take a subject over the summer/winter while also completing the GBP (e.g. Ethics in Finance or Business and Economics Internship). Is this okay?

    No, students participating in the GBP will not be permitted to enrol in any other subjects that run during the same dates as the practicums. GBP is intensive and requires 100% commitment from students.

  • Can I choose the city, team, company or type of project?

    No, students are allocated to cities, teams and companies with specific projects. However, students can select which cities they would like to be considered for, and 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.

  • 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 the Handbook for more information.

Read about the experiences of MBS students who completed a consulting subject in Student Stories.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Global Business Practicum, please email mbs-practicums@unimelb.edu.au