Information for Prospective Students
Welcome to our Work Experience Programme which complements our taught courses to enhance your appreciation of engineering, helps direct your future career paths and makes your CV more attractive to potential employers.
On this page:
Work experience is a key part of the Bachelor of Engineering degree.
It is a requirement of the degree to complete 800 hours (100 days) of approved work experience in an engineering environment.
The work is normally completed in two periods of about 400 hours preferably with two different employers, but can be completed in three periods (two periods of at least 40 days and one of 20 days). Periods of less than five days are not acceptable.
Students are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities by observing as many different work roles as possible.
The goals of work experience are:
1. To increase an understanding of the engineering terms and concepts introduced during the degree course.
2. To provide actual experience of different work roles that you are likely to encounter once working as a professional engineer.
Supporting Courses
As a framework to help you manage your work experience, we have set up three professional courses that you need to pass, although the courses have zero cost and contribute zero points towards your degree.
The courses are:
- ENGR 291 - Work Experience Preparation
- ENGR 391 - Practical Work Experience
- ENGR 491 - Professional Work Experience
All these courses will appear on your academic transcript.
Practical Work Experience
The first work experience is called practical work experience and is normally carried out in trimester 3 between years 2 and 3 of study.
The work is classified as general work experience and will enable you to become familiar with engineering processes and skills, particularly those appropriate to your specialisation.
Professional Work Experience
The second work experience is normally undertaken between years 3 and 4. This professional work experience is at a junior engineer level with responsibilities and technical expertise that makes use of your engineering training to date and is a task appropriate to your degree. At least 350 hours at this level is required.
If work experience carried out prior to your second year of engineering is at a professional level, it can be accepted only with the prior written consent of the Work Experience Coordinator. If the professional work experience is is accepted, then a report must be submitted on that period.
Timeline
You will be strongly encouraged to complete all work experience before you begin your Honours year. You will not be able to graduate until your work experience is completed. The timeline for work experience in years 2 to 4 of the BE degree is:
|
Year 2 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 4 |
|
Trimester 1+2 |
Trimester 3 |
Trimester 1+2 |
Trimester 3 |
Trimester 1+2 |
Trimester 3 |
|
ENGR 291 |
Practical Work Experience |
ENGR 391 |
Professional Work Experience |
ENGR 491 |
Work Experience if required |
More Information
More information about work experience is available from: