Frequently Asked Questions
Application vs Enrolment?
Students must apply for the internship program by submitting the application form and other required documents by the due date.
Students are not enrolled in the unit until they have been offered and accepted an internship position. Enrolment deadlines are set by the University.
How do I enrol in the internship unit?
Until you have accepted an internship position, you should enrol in a full subject load without the internship. Once you have a confirmed placement, you can drop one or two other units and enrol in the internship unit.
Enrolment procedures vary by program, and will be explained during your meeting with the internship coordinator.
Are internships guaranteed?
No. Although we do our best to place all students, sometimes we will not have anything suited to your studies and interests. In this case it may be better for you to take a subject instead of the internship unit and explore alternative professional develop opportunities on campus such as the Global Leadership Program and Graduate Development Program.
Sometimes students are unsuccessful in one or more interviews at the host organisation, and circumstances change in host organisations which mean it is no longer possible for them to host an intern. Both theses cases may mean that you are unable to complete the internship.
Finally, we have enrolment deadlines that must be met and it is not always possible to place students by these deadlines. We encourage all students to keep us advised of their travel plans and to keep in close contact during the placement process to ensure no opportunities are missed due to poor communication.
Are the internships paid?
No, internships are unpaid, instead you receive academic credit. There is also no expectation that you will be reimbursed for transportation costs to and from your internship.
Do I need a work visa to complete an internship?
No, because the internship is an academic unit. In addition, doing an internship unit does not prevent you from working in paid employment as per your visa conditions.
What organisations participate in the program?
The organisations participating in the program change from one semester to the next and it is no possible to provide definitive list of host organisations. Host organisations include small, local organisations, medium-sized businesses, international companies and not-for-profit organisations. Each type of organisation has the potential to offer an excellent internship experience, therefore we ask students to keep an open mind about their preferences.
You will be provided with more information on the types of organisations and opportunities available to you in or after your meeting with the internship department.
What are the academic requirements of the internship unit?
All interns are required to complete a range of academic assessments, but these vary by program. You will be advised of the academic requirements during the placement process.
Is the unit transcripted? What grade will I receive?
Yes. Since the internship is an academic unit, it will appear on your transcript.
Study Abroad and Exchange, Masters and Bachelor of International Studies students receive an 'S' for Satisfactory or 'F' for Fail grade on their transcript for the internship unit.
Master of International Relations students receive a numerical grade on their transcript for the internship unit.
What do I receive after the internship?
In addition to the grade on your transcript, you will receive:
- Internship certificate from Macquarie University stating your host organisation's name, and the number of hours, credit points and assessments you have completed.
- A reference letter from your workplace supervisor.
What should I do if I need to transfer course credits back to my home university (Study Abroad and Exchange students only)?
You need to let your university know which internship option (3 or 6 credit points) you plan to complete and find out whether the academic requirements of your home university can accomodate the internship. This is your responsibility.
You must then check whether your internship credit will transfer home. It is important to let your university know that you will receive an 'S' Satisfactory or 'F' Fail for the unit - not a numerical grade.
If you have any doubts to whether your study plan can accomodate the internship and transfer the internship credits, you should contact your adviser and confirm their approval in writing.
Note: You should not leave it to the last minute to seek this approval, as the internship office will not try to secure an interview at a potential host organisation until you have confirmed the above information.
Can I do an internship independently (not for academic credit)?
No. Unless you are eligible for one of the internship programs, you cannot use Macquarie's contacts to secure an internship independent of the university. You must be enrolled in your appropriate internship unit for the duration of your internship for insurance reasons.
Can I extend my internship after my hours are completed?
After your internships hours are completed you are no longer covered by Macquarie University insurance in the workplace. If you wish to keep working in your host organisation, you will need to make alternative insurance arrangements with your workplace supervisor. There is no guarantee this arrangement will be possible, and any extention of your internship is considered to be independent of Macquarie University.
In addition, there is no expectation that you will be offered employment upon completion of your internship.
Can I receive financial assistance from the university if I am completing my internship overseas (Bachelor of International Studies and Master of International Relations students only)?
If you are completing your internship overseas you may be eligible for a Macquarie University mobility scholarship. Internships need to be at least 100 hours in order to qualify for a scholarship and you will need to provide evidence of your internship dates, duration and tasks. You must apply for a scholarship before your internship program begins as scholarships cannot be approved retrospectively. Visit the mobility scholarship pages for more information.
It may be possible for students completing the Global Leadership Program to count their internship hours towards the experiential component of the program, providing their internship meets certain conditions.
