Elective placements

A single-disciplinary placement subject is designed specifically for students within a particular study area (such as Business, Engineering or Psychology) or course.

A multi-disciplinary placement subject is open to eligible students from a range of courses and disciplines across the University.

Elective placement units are available to eligible students who have room for elective subjects in their degree and want to gain practical industry experience through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).

They are designed primarily for students whose course does not already include a compulsory placement, although some courses may list them as prescribed electives.

To enrol, you will generally need to:

• Have elective space in your course.
• Meet the minimum credit point requirement for the subject.
• Meet any subject-specific prerequisites or course eligibility requirements listed in the La Trobe Handbook.
• Be able to complete any required placement compliance checks, such as a Working with Children Check or Police Check, if required by your placement host.

Yes. For many elective placement units, you can source your own placement organisation, provided it meets the subject requirements and is approved by La Trobe University before your placement begins.

If you arrange your own placement, you'll need to ensure that the organisation:

• Provides meaningful work aligned with your learning outcomes.
• Has appropriate supervision in place for the duration of your placement.
• Meets La Trobe's workplace health, safety and insurance requirements.
• Completes any required documentation so the placement can be assessed and approved by the University.

Before contacting organisations or confirming a placement, check the requirements for your placement unit and speak with your Subject Coordinator or the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team to confirm the organisation is suitable.

This helps avoid delays in the approval process and ensures your placement can be recognised for academic credit.

Will I receive academic credit for my placement?

Yes. If you successfully complete an approved elective placement unit, you will receive academic credit towards your La Trobe University degree, just like any other credited subject. Your placement is assessed through the associated placement unit and contributes to your course progression.

To receive academic credit, you must:

• Be enrolled in an approved elective placement unit before your placement begins.
• Complete an approved placement that meets the unit's learning outcomes and required placement hours.
• Submit all required assessments and placement documentation.
• Meet the assessment requirements to successfully pass the unit.

Simply completing work experience or an internship outside of an enrolled placement unit does not automatically earn academic credit. Your placement must be approved by the University and form part of a credit-bearing subject.

If you're unsure which placement unit is right for your course, check the La Trobe Handbook or speak with your Course Coordinator or La Trobe’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team before enrolling. They can help you identify an eligible placement subject and explain how it counts towards your degree.

Yes. International students can complete an optional placement at La Trobe University, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for the placement subject and comply with the conditions of their student visa.

International students have access to the same industry placement and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities as domestic students, including university-wide placement or project electives that provide industry experience for academic credit.

If you're an international student, it's a good idea to speak with La Trobe’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team or your Subject Coordinator before enrolling. They can advise you on any visa considerations, placement requirements and subject-specific eligibility to help ensure your placement can proceed without delays.