Master of Information Technology

IT5304.20 - MIT Industry Internship

This subject is the culmination of the Master of Information Technology thereby supporting students to undertake a comprehensive industry-based experience, reflecting, researching, consolidating, demonstrating and applying the knowledge, skills and attributes developed throughout the course-based learning experience. The Master-level Internship experience enables mastery of the subject matter, applying knowledge to real-world problems, and developing valuable skills relevant to degree-related graduate employment. Internship students are exposed to first-hand information technology tasks and projects to support critical evaluation and research application aligned with the subject and course learning outcomes. Through engagement with real-world technological infrastructure, organisational systems, stakeholders, and decision-making environments, the subject supports the transition from academic study to professional practice while strengthening professional judgement, organisational awareness, application of theory and research, and responsible leadership in contemporary information technology and related business settings.

Under academic and professional supervision, students systematically examine and critically evaluate a technological infrastructure, organisational practice, management system, governance structure, and/or decision-making approach encountered during their experience. Drawing on established information technology frameworks, principles, theories and research outcomes, students assess effectiveness, contextual influences, risk considerations, stakeholder implications, and strategic alignment, and formulate evidence-informed and research-supported professional recommendations. Through structured analytical inquiry and reflective integration of theory, research and practice, students demonstrate advanced problem-solving capability, independent judgement, and professional communication consistent with AQF Level 9 expectations. The outcomes of this internship experience form a strong portfolio of achievement to demonstrate their competencies to graduate employers.

As a culminating course requirement, students complete either IT5004 MIT Capstone Project or IT5304 MIT Industry Internship. Both pathways are designed as comparable learning experiences, each supporting the achievement of equivalent course learning outcomes and are appropriate to AQF Level 9 and support the achievement of strong and equivalent graduate outcomes.

Internships are part of UHE's commitment to maximising graduate employment outcomes.

All interns will have industry-partners and be completing industry-relevant, real-world work giving them valuable knowledge, skills and attributes.

In students' final term, they will complete either a Capstone Project or an Industry Internship as a core course requirement. Students will make the decision near the beginning of their second last term so that they can prepare for the experience. Students are encouraged to discuss this choice with their Academic Course Manager, their other Academic Teachers and Student Support.

In Master of Information Technology, students choose between:

IT5004.20 MIT Capstone Project
IT5304.20 MIT Industry Internship

Both of these subjects are 20 credits, and most students will be completing two other subjects alongside.

Both of these subjects are regularly timetabled and have required, structured assessment.

The capstone pathway provides an academically supervised, research project-based, industry-aligned experience. The internship pathway offers supervised placements in industry contexts.

Students who choose the industry internship option (rather than the capstone project) will be placed in one of three internship types. The selection of type is made at the discretion of UHE, in consultation and consideration of the student’s preferences.

(a) Individual Internships _ an individual student working on-site in a business supervised by professionals,

(b) Group Internships _ a group of UHE students working on-site in a corporate environment (either in the industry-partner office or in the InternMatch business office) supervised by a business mentor / industry expert,

(c) On-campus Internships _ an individual student or a group of UHE students working on-campus in a dedicated hub supervised by an academic mentor who is liaising with an actual employer / business partner.

Required attendance, hour requirements and performance expectations will be monitored in all three industry internship models. Students must meet the minimum hour requirements (180 hours) and performance expectations to achieve a pass (or above) grade in the internship subject.

For all three models / pathways (a. Individual Internships, b. Group Internships, c. On-campus Internships) the subject will be focussed on and designed to assure subject and culminating course learning outcomes.

All assessment is to be delivered as specified below, and UHE Academic Teachers and/or Academic Course Managers (under the oversight of the Chief Academic Officer) are responsible for receiving, grading and providing feedback on assessment applying the standard UHE processes. Written records, such as student logbooks, completed while students are in their internships, and employer feedback as well as validation of student placement hours will inform grading in accordance with assessment rubrics, where applicable.

Eligibility Criteria (to participate in internships)

Eligible students must have passed all prerequisite subjects as specified on the course structure.
The timing of the internship must align with the advertised course structure.
All students are required to complete forms, training and other pre-internship requirements in the term directly prior to their internship.
Internships must follow the allocated subject outlines, including completion of required assessment.
Each students’ skills, experience, readiness, and professional suitability will be assessed to determine whether the student is appropriate for an Individual Internship, a Group Internship or an On-Campus Internship. The internship model selection will be at the discretion of UHE to determine the most appropriate placement alignment for each student.
Students who do not meet attendance and other reasonable performance expectations may be subject to reassignment to an alternative internship model at the discretion of UHE.
Failed subjects (with/out compelling and compassionate circumstances) and record of academic integrity breaches (if applicable) will be taken into consideration when determining the internship model.
Students must be up to date on all UHE financial payments (student fees) and/or have a UHE approved payment plan in-place.

If a stakeholder (student, employer or academic teacher) is dissatisfied with the placement at any stage of the internship, they must notify and arrange a meeting with the Academic Course Manager (ACM) as soon as practicable. The ACM will review the concerns and, where appropriate, work with relevant parties to seek a resolution with the current placement provider. Where the ACM determines that the issues cannot be reasonably resolved, UHE will use reasonable efforts to arrange an alternative placement in a timely manner. Any alternative placement will, where feasible, enable the student to continue with the aligned assessment tasks and minimise disruption to their progress.

Any behaviour that contravenes the Internship Agreement terms and conditions may result in the suspension or termination of an internship.

Students are advised to read and ask any questions about (directed to the Academic Course Manager) the UHE Work Integrated Learning Policy and Procedure.