What if a degree also included travel, real-world projects, and global experiences?

Learning by doing | What are FREEs | International experiences | Industry experiences | Research experiences | Volunteering experiences | Beyond the classroom

Imagine your child gaining overseas, industry, research or volunteering experience while completing their degree, and receiving credit towards their studies at the same time. At Monash, this is built into many of our degrees.

Every Monash student has the opportunity to develop the skills, experience and global perspective needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. Through immersive programs spanning international experiences, industry collaboration, research and volunteering, they engage with real-world challenges that extend learning beyond the classroom.

These opportunities are known as our Flagship Rich Educational Experiences (FREE units). Built into eligible degrees as electives, FREE units allow students to apply what they are learning in practical settings, while still progressing through their course without additional time or cost.

What are our Flagship Rich Educational Experiences?

FREE units are structured, credit-bearing subjects that allow students to apply their learning in real-world environments – whether overseas, in industry, through research or within community settings.

They’re built into eligible degrees as electives and contribute towards course credit, meaning students complete them as part of their degree structure. Each experience falls into one of four areas:

• Global immersion – overseas experiences working with local communities, organisations, and students to explore global challenges firsthand
• Industry experience – collaboration with organisations, startups and industry partners to solve real problems
• Research and discovery – participation in research projects exploring complex and emerging issues
• Volunteering and community engagement – contribution to community-led initiatives while building leadership and communication skills

Rather than learning only through lectures, students apply their knowledge in practice to strengthen understanding, build confidence and develop key skills in real-world contexts.

Why should students complete a FREE unit?

University is about so much more than earning a qualification. It’s also a time when students begin to understand their interests, strengths and future direction. FREE units are designed to support that development, helping students build:

• problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• communication and collaboration skills
• adaptability and resilience
• leadership and initiative

Just as importantly, they provide structured opportunities to apply their academic learning in real-world contexts and to connect study with practice in a meaningful way. Depending on the experience selected, students may:

• participate in overseas sustainability or cultural programs
• work with startups, NGOs or industry organisations
• contribute to community initiatives
• engage in supervised research projects
• develop professional networks
• explore potential career pathways

These experiences also give students concrete examples they can draw on in future job applications, interviews and portfolios.

Most importantly, they help students grow in confidence, independence and capability, while developing a broader understanding of how they can contribute to the world around them.

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Learning that extends beyond the classroom

University learning has the potential to shape far more than academic outcomes. It can also have a profound influence on an individual’s confidence, perspective and future direction.

Through FREE units, your child has the opportunity to step beyond traditional classroom learning and apply their skills in real-world environments, whether that’s overseas, in industry, through research or within the community.

Graduates leave not only with a degree but also with experience, perspective, and the confidence to navigate an ever-evolving world.