Students and PEPS
Matching learning with experiencePEPS is a work-based learning program that enables final-year engineering students at The University of Queensland to spend up to six months in industry while still gaining full academic credit.
 How it worksStudents selected for PEPS are placed in industry, government agencies, or in research organisations from December to June. They undertake vacation work and then, during semester complete a project proposed by the placement organisation. It can be either a major investigation or research project or a significant design task that integrates technical, commercial and other factors including risk and project management.
Students remain with their selected companies full time during the PEPS program and receive a tax-free scholarship. Students gain academic credit for the placement semester by completing two university courses, ENGG4010 and ENGG4011. ENGG4010 covers aspects of professional development whereby students keep a professional development log and learn to hone the reflective skills needed to complete successful job applications, and professional body registrations. ENGG4011 covers the Project Thesis. Students will be assigned an academic supervisor from the School of Engineering who will guide them through writing an undergraduate thesis. The project accounts for the bulk of the credit (6 units) while the professional development course counts for a further 2 units.
Students apply for a place on the PEPS program. They are selected on the basis of their academic record and an interview. The scheme is not for every student. It suits those who are looking to be challenged and those who prefer to learn in context. While having a good GPA is an indicator of success in their scheme, so too are other personal attributes and the student’s level of maturity. The student must be highly motivated, an independent learner, have good communications skills and most of all have a sense of adventure.
Benefits to StudentsAll the students who have completed PEPS programs agree that they have benefited from more than just puting into practice their engineering skills. They have had to work hard but it has given them an intense learning experience that would have taken them much longer to gain as a graduate engineer in their first position. They have had first hand experience of working at a professional level which has given them insights as to the direction they want their own careers to progress. For some it has been an affirmation that engineering is the career path for them. All of them have valuble experience to put onto their CVs. For more informationClick on the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Associate Professor Tony Howes, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland tonyh@uq.edu.au
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| » Student Stories Since 2000, over 100 students have been placed via PEPS into more than 40 companies. Click on the links below to find out more about the projects and the companies involved. |
| » PEPS Vacancies Click on the links below to see the current list of PEPS programs available. |
| » How to Apply Step One Read carefully the details of available PEPS programs. ... |
| » Getting a Placement Getting a Placement There are several ways that you can maximise your chances of getting a PEPS placement. Use the Register your Interest to let us know you are interested in a placement. This means that we can con... |
| » PIPS PIPS (Professional Information Technology Placement Scholarship) PIPS is a work-based learning program that allows final-year information technology students to spend up to six months in industry while still gaining full academic credit.&n... |
| » Frequently Asked Questions - Students |
| » Register your interest PEPS programs are coming online all the time. If you are interested in the program, but none of the currently available projects are suitable for you, then click here to regist... |