Global Business Practicum

Travel overseas during your winter or summer break and spend two weeks working with a team to solve a real business challenge for an international organisation developing critical skills in research, analysis, and solution design and gain valuable experience for your resume.

Subject overview

BUSA90485 Global Business Practicum is a two-week intensive subject that gives students the opportunity to work on a real-world business challenge with a host company overseas. Led by a University of Melbourne academic supervisor for guidance and support, students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information in international business settings, develop their research skills, build networks, and present their findings to their client. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

Further information

View the Handbook to learn more about subject learning objectives, assessment tasks and more.
Read about the experiences of MBS students who completed a consulting subject in Student Stories.

Why take the Global Business Practicum?

Spend two weeks in an international location working in a student team to solve a real business challenge with an international organisation.
Global Business Practicum is designed to develop your critical thinking and enhance your communication and management consulting skills.
Apply your skills, gain international experience and receive mentoring while expanding your professional network and boosting your employability.
Violet on final presentation day

"This experience enhanced my technical and interpersonal skills. From conducting structured research to presenting actionable recommendations, the subject honed my ability to translate theory into practice."

- Zile (Violet) Wang, Global Business Practicum Tokyo 2025

Read more about Violet's experience

Intakes

The upcoming intakes of the Global Business Practicum will be:

IntakeLocation
November 2026London 
Summer Term 2027Singapore

Key Dates

Key dates for each intake can be found in the drop down lists below. Students offered a place in Global Business Practicum 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.

  • ActivityDate
    Applications openMonday 27 July
    Applications closeSunday 16 August
    Selection outcomesAfter Friday 21 August

    Logistics Briefing
    (On campus, attendance mandatory)

    		Tuesday 8 September
    5pm - 7pm

    More information about the briefing will be provided to successful applicants.
    LMS Modules dueMonday 23 November
    Students arrive in-countryTuesday 24 November
    Induction Workshop (in-country)Wednesday 25 November
    Host company project datesThursday 26 November -  Wednesday 9 December
    Students departThursday 10 December

  • ActivityDate
    Applications openMonday 14 September
    Applications closeSunday 4 October
    Selection outcomesFriday 9 October

    Logistics Briefing
    (On campus, attendance mandatory)

    		Tuesday 27 October
    5pm - 7pm

    More information about the briefing will be provided to successful applicants.
    LMS Modules dueMonday 4 January
    Students arrive in-countryTuesday 5 January
    Induction Workshop (in-country)Wednesday 6 January
    Host company project datesThursday 7 - Wednesday 20 January
    Students departThursday 21 January

Program Fee and Travel Costs

In addition to the standard University of Melbourne subject tuition fee, there is an additional GBP Accommodation Fee for each location:

The GBP Accommodation Fee covers the following:

  • Accommodation for the duration of the program (16 nights).
    • Accommodation is organised by a partner travel agent and is based on a twin-share hotel room configuration.
    • Students will share the accommodation with another Global Business Practicum participant of the same sex.
    • Daily breakfast is included.

Students will also need to budget for the following additional expenses:

  • Airfare to and from the GBP city.
  • Meals and local transportation expenses while abroad.
  • Visa application fees (if one is required).

All students are entitled to complementary UoM standard travel insurance.

GBP Accommodation Fees

LocationGBP Accommodation Fee
November 2026 (London)To be confirmed
Summer Term 2027 (Singapore)To be confirmed

Deposit and balance payments:

Students who are offered a place in the Global Business Practicum subject will be required to pay a $500 deposit to secure their place in the program. The balance payment will usually be due 4 weeks later. All payment requirements and deadlines will be outlined in an offer letter.

Before applying for the Global Business Practicum program, you should undertake desktop research to establish estimated expenses for each location.

Funding

GBP funding options are:

  • There are a number of FBE Travel Grants valued at $5,000 for eligible students* to support travel for the Global Business Practicum subject.

    These grants 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 GBP Program Fee (accommodation), flights and in-country costs.

    Successful recipients will receive the FBE Travel Grant in two parts - the first half will cover your GBP Program Fee (no requirement for you to pay the GBP Program Fee cost upfront as the grant pays it for you), with the remainder of the $5000 to be paid to the student as a grant.

    There is no separate application for the FBE Travel Grant, all eligible applicants will automatically be considered.  However, please note that the strength of your GBP application may be considered in the selection process.

    Please note, students are only eligible for one FBE Travel Grant during their degree. If you have previously received an FBE Travel Grant, you can still participate in the program with a program fee paying place.

    *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. Graduate Access Melbourne students who meet one or more of the following Graduate Access Melbourne categories are also eligible: disadvantaged financial background, resident of a regional or remote area or  recognition as an Indigenous Australian.

  • 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.

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

Visa requirements

Some students will require a visa to enter their GBP location.  The University is not able to assist with the visa application process and it is the responsibility of each student who successfully gains a place in the program to check whether a visa will be needed. The University will be able to provide a letter confirming enrolment in the GBP (including travel dates, reason for travel, student passport information etc) which students can attach as supporting documentation to their visa application.

Before applying for a GBP intake, it is strongly recommended that students research visa requirements based on their own passport and citizenship information.

Some helpful resources are:

Selection Criteria

We are looking for a diverse group of students who will be ambassadors for the University of Melbourne. Entry is competitive as there are limited places available in each intake. The below criteria should help you determine whether you would be a strong candidate for the Global Business Practicum program. Please note that all entry requirements below must be fulfilled to be considered

  • FBE / MBS students
    Students enrolled in an approved FBE/MBS graduate degree may apply.

    • Check the University of Melbourne Handbook (Further information → Related Handbook entries) to confirm your course is listed
    • If not listed, seek approval from your Program Director or check with Stop 1

    Note: Master of Commerce (Finance) students are generally not eligible due to limited electives.

    Non-FBE (non-MBS) students

    No approval required:

    • Master of Engineering (Biomedical, Electrical, Mechanical, Software)
    • Master of Information Technology (all specialisations)
    • Master of Software Engineering (Business, General)

    Approval required (before application close):

    • Master of Information Systems (General)
    • Master of Software Engineering (AI, Cyber Security, HCI, Distributed Computing)
    • Master of Digital Marketing

    Not eligible:

    • Master of Marketing Communications

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • At time of application:
    Students are required to submit an updated CV to their GBP 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 GBP 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.

  • We recommend you take some time to consider these questions and prepare your answers before you commence your application.

    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 Global 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 the Global Business Practicum subject. (max 300 words)

Applications

Please follow the steps below to complete your application for Global Business Practicum. Application dates for each GBP intake can be found under the Key Dates section above. Please note that you will only be able to access the SONIA placement group and application form while applications are currently open for an intake.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

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

Find out more

Come along to an FBE Employability Drop-In session to learn more about the Global Business Practicum and ask any questions you might have about the program or the application process.

Drop-In sessions will run every Thursday during Semester 1 & 2. Please see details below:

WhenEvery Thursday during semester
11.30am - 12.30pm
WhereLevel 1 Student Lounge, The Spot Building

Find out more here

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes, there is a full selection process to determine your eligibility and suitability for the program. Selection is not based on existing consulting experience.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • No, Global Business Practicum is NOT available to incoming exchange students.

  • There are between 20 - 24 places available each intake. As spots are limited, entry into the Global Business Practicum is competitive.

  • No, students who are given a place in the GBP program and need a visa for entry will need to apply for a visa on their own or seek the services of an external visa specialist to assist you. The University can help by providing a visa support letter outlining the purpose of travel to  accompany a student's visa application.

  • The cost of the GBP is a standard University subject. However, there will be additional costs associated with the travel component of the program for accommodation, flights, meals, and other incidental travel expenses. More detail about specific costs can be found above and will also be provided to students in their offer letter.

  • No, due to the intensive nature of the subject and because a lot of the teamwork happens during the evenings or late into the night, students must stay at the organised accommodation.

Contact us

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