Thinking about applying for the UNSW Co-op program but have no idea where to start? Unsure of the application process and timeline?
Well, look no further as we’re here to settle your concerns and provide you with the answers to all your questions. Keep reading to get the run-down on everything you need to know about applications, Industry Training placements, degree structure and more!
Let’s dive in!
What is the Co-op Program?
UNSW Co-op Degrees
UNSW Co-op Sponsors
How does the application process work?
What are the Industry Training placements like?
Degree Structure
What’s it like studying Accounting & Business Management through the Co-op Program?
Tips for Students Applying for Co-op at UNSW
What is the Co-op program at UNSW?
The UNSW Co-op program is a career development program that combines university studies with professional placement to provide students with real work experience before graduation. Boasting over 150 + partnerships with Australia’s leading companies, including PWC, Coca-Cola and KPMG, students can work alongside sponsors in their industries of choice!
Valued at $19,600 for up to four years, the scholarships programs are available in the Business School and Faculties of Engineering and Science. Popular UNSW Co-op degrees include the Bachelor of Commerce as well as studying UNSW’s Software Engineering degree!
Learn more about applying for UNSW Co-op scholarships!
While many double majors are possible, you cannot undertake a double degree unless you can demonstrate strong academic achievement, fulfil all Co-op requirements, and gain sponsors’ approval.
Unfortunately, double degrees with Law are not applicable under the Co-op Program.
Not only does a Co-op program include sponsors for industry training placements, but there is also a range of leadership and networking opportunities available for students to build their skills. Students can attend a leadership development camp where they learn how to problem-solve and manage their teams, network with other co-ops and alumni, and have mentors to support them through their professional journey.
Looking for the best tips on acing your Co-op application? Check out our book, The New University Entry Game!
UNSW Co-op Degrees
| Business | Engineering | Science | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
UNSW Co-op Sponsors
Here are some UNSW Co-op sponsors you could work for!
Actuarial Studies
- EY
- Westpac
- TAL
Business InfoSys
- EY
- Commonwealth Bank
- Deloitte
- American Express
- PWC
Computer Science / Software Engineering
- Atlassian
- Nine
- ResMed
- Optus
- Honeywell
Marketing
- SalesForce
- Colgate-Palmolive
- McDonald’s
- Canon
- Jaguar Land Rover
How does the application process work?
For Year 12 students, applications for the Co-op program usually open at the beginning of May and close at the end of September. There are 3 main steps in the application process:
Step 1: Online Application
The online application is the first step in explaining what attracts you to the UNSW Co-op program and which academic field(s) you have chosen. The questions will target your personal qualities and career interests to gauge whether you have the communication skills, motivation, and leadership potential fit for the program.
You will need to answer questions based on your co-curricular activities and learnings, personal development, leadership/teamwork, problem-solving, achievements in the workplace, graduation plans and personal qualities.
Step 2: Schools Assessment Page
For this stage, you will need to nominate your Careers Adviser/Year Level Coordinator to complete your Schools Assessment Page within your online application. Late applications are not permitted, so make sure you give your teacher plenty of notice!
Step 3: Video Snapshot
Your final step involves submitting a 2-minute video to introduce yourself and expand on your written application. This is an excellent opportunity to show off what makes you interesting and unique from the rest of the candidates!
Once you’ve successfully progressed through these stages, you will be invited to attend an interview briefing session and your Co-op interview. At the Co-op interview briefing session, you will learn more about what to expect at the Co-op interview and will be able to ask any burning questions you have ahead of the interview.
During your interview, you will sit down with a panel of academics and/or industry representatives who will ask questions to test your suitability for the program.
UNSW Scholarship Requirements
To put the cherry on top, students will need to achieve a minimum of 96 ATAR or equivalent (with only EAS adjustment factors considered) to accept a Co-op scholarship.
So yes, the application process can seem daunting, but the Co-op program is designed for ambitious students who thrive on challenges and are dedicated to leadership. If that’s you, this program sounds like just the right match!
“One important thing to note is that even if you don’t receive a Co-op scholarship, you can still apply for a one-off Co-op during University that will allow you to work with a sponsor company. You will still need to apply through the same process, but it’s a unique opportunity that not a lot of people know about.” — Jaya Ong, Accounting & Business Management (Co-op) IV at UNSW
What are the Industry Training placements like?
Depending on the length of your degree, you will have the opportunity to complete 3 or 4 six-month Industry Training (IT) placements with a variety of major sponsors. One (or maximum of two) of these placements will be completed during your courses; however, sponsors are aware of study commitments and will discuss your timetable with you.
IT placements introduce students to challenging work experiences that complement their academic studies and even count as course credit! You will be expected to conform to professional standards of performance and will be required to take on more duties as your progress throughout your placements.
As such, your first placement will likely be similar to an intern position, while your third placement will require you to take on a serious staff role.
“The industry training placements really help you to grow and get to know the industry better, and that puts you apart from other graduates who may not have the same understanding of how these companies run.” — Jaya Ong
How is your degree structured differently for students completing a regular Bachelor’s degree?
While the structure differs between degrees, most Co-op students follow the regular course structure in their first year while needing to keep a 65 WAM (75 WAM for some courses) to maintain their scholarship. The first IT placement will occur in term one of your second year for a four-year course, which usually counts as 12 credits alongside one subject.
In your third year, the pressure ramps up as you have your second and third IT placement back-to-back in terms one and two, amounting to about 50 weeks of practical work.
Overall, IT placements make up 36 credits of your degree, with the fourth year returning to a regular workload. If you’re studying for a five-year degree, your first IT placement will be in term three of your 2nd year, and the rest will be throughout your 4th year.
“It’s pretty intense, and it’s not easy to balance. You will have to make sacrifices, and you will miss some of your social life, but that’s kind of what you need to give up to get ahead and make the most of it.” — Jaya Ong
What’s it like studying Accounting & Business Management through the Co-op Program?
Accounting and Business Management through the Co-op Program is a four-year degree that includes three industry training placements to support students with a smooth transition to the workplace. If you have a passion for business and management, have strong mathematical skills and are interested in networking with various stakeholders, this might be the course for you!
Studying Accounting and Business Management gives students the ability to work with a diverse range of leading companies and have a head-start in choosing which area of business they would like to work in before graduation. Some major sponsors include Westpac, Optus, Arnott’s group and J.P. Morgan.
Any tips for students applying for Co-op at UNSW?
When it comes to advising students interested in applying for the Co-op program, Jaya has a few tips up her sleeve. Here are her three main words of wisdom:
“Just do it; you don’t get what you don’t ask for. Don’t overthink it, because I know I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not going to get this, I have never received an award in my life, and I’m definitely not the smartest in my school,’ but I think your experiences and confidence are what makes you unique.”
“Memorise what you wrote in your application and research the industry that you’ve chosen. If you talk about accounting, remember a few facts about the industry and talk about anything topical like marketing campaigns or financial stories that stood out to you. Make sure you know the company really well — know their values and what they’ve done in the media.”
“When you go to an interview, as soon as you walk through the door, it’s an interview. So, the man you meet at the front door, the lady at the reception desk, the woman you talked to in the bathroom — they could all be part of the interview. I’ve had an interviewer ask me for the name of the person at the front desk, and luckily I knew, but it’s interesting how they test your socialisation skills outside the interview.”
Keen to get into the UNSW Co-Op Program? Make sure you’ve got an ATAR goal so that you know what marks you need to achieve this year!
On the hunt for more university resources?
Check out some of our other guides and articles below:
- Pros and Cons of the UNSW Trimester
- The Ultimate Guide to Applying for Early Entry to Universities
- The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right University!
- The Definitive Guide to Adjustment Factors/Bonus Points
- Top 10 Lucrative UNSW Scholarships for Undergrad Domestic Students
Ashley Sullivan is a Content Writer for Art of Smart Education and is currently undertaking a double degree in Communications (Journalism) and a Bachelor of Laws at UTS. Ashley’s articles have been published in The Comma and Central News. She is a film, fashion and fiction enthusiast who enjoys learning about philosophy, psychology and unsolved mysteries in her spare time.
