IBL Policies & Objectives

The Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences is strongly committed to the placement of students in Industry-Based Learning (IBL) positions. IBL is not compulsory, however it is expected that all eligible students will take the opportunity to participate when positions are available. Due to Australian government regulations, optional Industry-Based Learning is currently not available to international students.

The assessment of IBL will be based on specific tasks which are determined from time to time by the Faculty’s Academic Committee. Such tasks will include an overall evaluation of the student’s performance progress by the student, the employer and nominated Swinburne supervisor, in the form of a Learning Benchmark. The latter encompasses the University’s published graduate attributes, and a range of employability attributes sought by employers.

Participation in the IBL program is governed by the following conditions:

• The Faculty cannot guarantee that all students receive an IBL placement, neither has the Faculty any obligation to do so
• Priority in placing students in IBL will be based on registration in the program, academic performance, submission of resumes, and a successful outcome of employer interviews
• Students who are employed full or part-time and/or are of mature age, with significant industrial experience already, will receive low priority and should consider taking out a degree without IBL
• Students must complete the first two years of a course (200 credit points) before becoming eligible for an IBL placement in that course
• Students who are granted credit transfer for formal prior learning undertaken at an Australian institution must complete a minimum of one year of a Swinburne course (100 credit points) before becoming eligible for an IBL placement in that course
• Students with credit transfer from international institutions will be considered on a case by case basis as to eligibility and availability of IBL placement
• Students undertaking IBL (unless part of an Honours or similar course) are not normally permitted to enrol in any additional academic subjects.
• Swinburne’s commitment to IBL and our excellent arrangements with employers requires that students consider the IBL component equivalent to full time study. In exceptional cases a student may be permitted to study one subject per semester during the IBL period, provided the Subject Convenor is satisfied that this is in the student’s best interests and the IBL employer provides written approval

Industry-Based Learning Objectives

The overall objective of IBL is educational. This may be achieved as students integrate theories learned in the classroom with real world applications and experiences in a commercial environment. The integration of theory and experience is supervised by professional practitioners which results in enhanced learning. IBL is education through the cooperation of industry, Swinburne, and students.

IBL is a structured program designed to develop and improve work-related skills. It provides opportunities for practical applications and enhanced understanding of knowledge, in ways that cannot be adequately provided within the educational institutional environment. The period in industry demonstrates to students, as no class exercises can do, the inter-relation of most disciplines and skills within the business environment. Also, the importance of inter-personal skills is made visible to the student in ways that cannot be effectively replicated within the educational institution.

The objectives of the period in industry relate particularly to:

• Growth and Personal Development
• Building a Real Life Understanding of the Organisational Environment
• Acquisition and Enhancement of Technical Skills
• Establishing and Building Understanding, and Cooperation between Industry, Swinburne University and our Students

It has been found important to ensure that the student is undertaking a productive job. This is the only way that the student can experience and learn the consequences of actions/decisions taken in real work environments.

The full benefits of IBL can only be realised with the goodwill and commitment of the three groups concerned with it: the University providing and organizing the program, organizations providing the practical experience, and the students who participate in it.

Industry-Based Learning Website