Professional experience, through learning in workplaces and community settings, is an important part of all courses taught by the College of Education.

In most undergraduate and postgraduate courses, professional experience is a compulsory part of the course. In these cases (such as teacher education and youth work courses), students are required to successfully complete their professional experience in order to graduate.

Our partner network includes schools, community organisations, government and universities – particularly in Melbourne's north and west, but also overseas. We have a unique relationship with the University of Texas (El Paso), which has been recognised for innovation in international education.

Getting to travel to East Timor for three weeks to teach English as an Additional Language was a highlight and something I will never forget. These workplace experiences allowed me to put into practice what I was learning in my degree and allowed me to make contacts with professionals in the education industry.

Benjamin Foster — Bachelor of Education (P-12)
Read Ben's story

Professional experience in your course

All teacher education courses include professional experience and supervised teaching practice in schools.

Other courses in the College of Education, such as early childhood, youth work and TESOL courses, also involve placements in professional settings.

We also have a Children's Services lab at our Werribee Campus which provides students with hands-on learning in a simulated early childhood environment.

Find out more about the professional experience aspects of our education courses.

Education opportunities & partnerships

College of Education student taking part in the Story Writing in Remote Locations program in Northern Territory as part of her professional experience.

Every year the College of Education offers a range of exciting options for professional experience as part of your course. Eligible students may express and interest in:

  • teaching in rural/remote locations, including Northern Territory
  • international placement opportunities
  • sporting, literacy and leadership programs with sporting organisations
  • mentoring school students in uni-ready skills
  • creative arts projects.

VU has over 900 partnerships with a broad range of organisations across Victoria.

For a full list of opportunities available to College of Education students, see the Education professional experience page.

Youth work professional practice

If you are studying youth work in the College of Education you also undertake fieldwork placements throughout your course to give you professional experience.

Find out more about youth work professional practice if you are studying or interested in the following courses:

You can also contact the Youth Partnerships Team:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 3 9919 4788.

Contact us

Find out more about Education professional experience or contact us directly:

Maree Wheelens
Head of Project Partnerships
Phone: +61 3 9919 5566
Email: [email protected]