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Medicine & Health School of Population Health

Internship (PHCM9143)

The internship course provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a relevant partner or organisation through a workplace internship.

The internship course (6UOC) aims to provide students enrolled in the Master of Public Health, Master of Global Health, Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence or Master of Health Leadership and Management degree programs (or dual degrees), with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a relevant health partner/organisation through a workplace internship of 168 hours either full- or part-time.

During the course, interns will have an opportunity to make valuable contributions to partner/organisation initiatives that may involve areas such as:

  • policy development, planning or evaluation associated with the delivery of public health or healthcare services
  • the preparation, appraisal and implementation of health-related projects.Ìý

The activities and focus of the internship will be relevant to the partner/organisation and student and can be either project- or normal operations-based.
Mode of study

Internship

Course Authority

Dr Abrar Chughtai         

+61 (2) 9385 1009

abrar.chughtai@unsw.edu.au

Medicine & Health WIL Team

mh.wil@unsw.edu.au

Overview

Eligibility

Pre-requisite courses: None

This is a merit-based course and internships will be awarded based on the outcomes of submitted written responses to questions.ÌýIn order to be eligible to apply, students must:

  • be enrolled in either Master of Public Health, Master of Global Health, Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence or Master of Health Leadership and Management degree programs (or dual degrees)
  • have completed at least 24 units of credit (UOC) by the start of the course*
  • have a minimum WAM 65, i.e. a credit average (65% or higher).Ìý

*If you are enrolled part-time or in a double degree program, this criterion will not be waived. If you are enrolled full-time in a single degree, you are eligible to apply prior to completing the 24UOCs.

Application process

Applications open approximately three months before the start of term and will be advertised on the Application processÌý³Ù²¹²ú.

More information can be found on the Application processÌý³Ù²¹²ú.

Enrolment into course

Students cannot self-enrol into this course. The School of Population Health staff manually enrol students into the course, PHCM9143 – Internship, approximately one week before the start of term.Ìý

During the course

Students are required to regularly check announcements on Moodle and their emails. An online orientation session will be held during O Week. All students are expected to attend this session or watch the recording later. A few drop-in sessions will be arranged during the term to check students' progress and identify any issues early. One-on-one sessions may be arranged with students if needed.Ìý

Students are required to complete 168 hours at their placement and complete all assessments.ÌýThere are two assessments in this course. More details will be provided in course outline and on Moodle site.

  • Assessment 1: Workplace Assessment Report (20% marks, due at the end of internship) – This is an evaluation of your performance in the workplace by your workplace supervisor based on a list of capabilities/activities developed in the initial stage of the placement.Ìý

  • Assessment 2: Internship report (80% marks, 2500 words, due at the end of internship) - The focus and objectives of the report will be negotiated and agreed upon at the beginning of the internship and will align with the required output of the internship for the partner organisation.Ìý

Costs relating to the internship

The following costs will be the responsibility of the student: 

  • travel to and from the internship
  • accommodation (if applicable)
  • visa/immunisation (if applicable)
  • food and other sundries etc.

Items of expenditure connected with the completion of internship tasks will be borne by the partner/organisation.Ìý

Internships are unpaid and interns will not receive any remuneration.

Course fees are listed in the .

This course is only available to currently enrolled School of Population Health students who meet the eligibility above.

Further enquiries can be directed to Medicine and Health WIL Team.Ìý

Course outcomes

On successful completion of the internship, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate capacity to contribute to an partner/organisation within the parameters of an agreed internship
  • identify and delineate a significant practice-based area for inquiry and focus, within the internship
  • systematically collect and synthesise relevant information about the practice-based area of inquiry, drawing on relevant literature and workplace activities and experience
  • analyse, interpret and evaluate the outcomes from engagement with the practice-based area of inquiry
  • demonstrate capacity for self and professional reflection
  • provide a reflexive interpretation on the implications for future professional practice drawing upon the internship experience and relevant themes within the Masters program.

Application process

1. Application Requirements
Students are required to submit the following as part of their application:

  • A brief statement (maximum 200 words) outlining why they are applying for the internship and what they hope to gain from the experience.
  • An up-to-date CV (which will be shared with the partner organisation).
  • A ranked list of preferred projects submitted through InPlace.
  • For each preferred project, a short statement explaining why the student is interested in the project and how their background makes them a suitable candidate.Ìý

2. Project Matching            

  • The Course Authority will review applications and match students to suitable projects based on student preferences, statements, WAM and eligibility.

3. Partner Review

  • The WIL Team will forward the student’s CV and application statement(s) to the relevant partner organisation(s).
  • Before finalising the placement, students may be invited to attend an interview with the partner organisation. The partner will then decide whether to proceed with the placement.

4. Confirmation and Agreement
Once both the student and the partner organisation have accepted the placement:

  • The WIL Team will arrange the formal WIL agreement with the partner organisation.
  • The student and partner will confirm the internship details, including work schedule, responsibilities, and relevant WHS and risk management considerations.Ìý

5. Compliance and Documentation

  • Before the internship can commence, the student must meet any compliance requirements set by the partner organisation (e.g., NSW Health compliance, National Police check, Working with Children check).
  • Both the student and the partner organisation must complete all required documentation, including the Internship Negotiated Agreement.

Important:

  • Students are not obligated to accept the project or partner/organisation during the application process.ÌýHowever, once they accept a placement, they are strongly encouraged to complete the internship due to the limited number of available opportunities.
  • The determination of whether or not the offer is satisfactory will be made solely by the placement organisation, according to their usual procedures, and their decision will be final.

Further enquiries can be directed to Medicine and Health WIL Team.Ìý

Previously offered internships

Please note: Partner/organisations change each term 

1. Previous domestic internships

  • ASHM – Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine
  • Cancer Council NSW, Policy and Advocacy Unit
  • CHETRE – Centre for Health Equity Training and Evaluation (ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney)
  • Collective Leisure
  • CPHCE – Centre for Primary Health Care Equity
  • Fun – Football United Program (School of Population Health)
  • Kirby Institute (Biosecurity Program)
  • NUAA – NSW Users and AIDS Association
  • OHPRD – Office of Health Protection and Response Division
  • SIWCF – Sydney Institute for Women, Children and their Families.

2. Previous international internships

  • CMMB – Catholic Medical Mission Board
  • Think Pacific Foundation (Fiji) (virtual)

Occasionally, placements may change or become unavailable due to issues beyond the control of the school.

Further enquiries can be directed to Medicine and Health WIL Team.Ìý

Student internship testimonials

Find out what students have to say about their experiences in our internship course. Click on the names below to read testimonials about what they enjoyed in their program and how it will make a difference to their careers.

Caitlin Swift

Master of Public Health (MPH) / Master of International Public Health (MIPH) (Dual Degree)

I decided to enrol in the internship program as part of my degree at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine as I was very keen to get some real-world experience in public health to supplement my university Master of Public Health (MPH) / Master of International Public Health (MIPH) studies. I had previously only worked in clinical environments and felt that completing some work experience in a supportive environment would assist me with successfully shifting towards working in a public health environment.

I would definitely recommend the internship program to other students who would like to consolidate the knowledge and skills they have learnt during their studies, gain practical public health experience and strengthen their professional networks in public health.

I completed my internship during the last semester of my studies and was fortunate that a job opportunity I was newly eligible for actually arose during the last week of my placement. I applied for this job with my internship experience prominent within my application and am sure that the experience and skills I gained during my internship helped me to secure this position and transition smoothly into the public health workforce.

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Preethi Pandalaneni

Master of Public Health (MPH) with International Health Specialisation

I decided to enrol in the internship because I had been working on the Master of Public Health (International Health Specialisation) through distance education whilst practising as a pharmacist. The internship was a great opportunity to actively engage with the field of international public health by learning and building new skills, networking with professionals working in public health, contribute to projects in the international health sphere and help inform future career decisions.

The most rewarding aspect of the internship was being able to contribute to health policies that were affecting populations on a global scale and being guided through the process by professionals who have invaluable insight and knowledge in the field. It also offered the opportunity to get involved in wider regional events run by the United Nations to gain an idea of the scope of work that the organisations do and meet people from various career pathways working in international health.Ìý 

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