ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => Deakin University => Topic started by: KatherineGale on September 30, 2019, 12:11:08 pm

Title: Placements
Post by: KatherineGale on September 30, 2019, 12:11:08 pm
Hi, just curious about placements at Deakin. I'm looking at doing OT but I'm wondering if I can afford to stay on campus and travel to placements. How far can they send you for placements and do you get much choice in where you go?
Title: Re: Placements
Post by: caffinatedloz on September 30, 2019, 09:18:57 pm
Hi, just curious about placements at Deakin. I'm looking at doing OT but I'm wondering if I can afford to stay on campus and travel to placements. How far can they send you for placements and do you get much choice in where you go?
I can't talk specifically about Deakin, but generally Universities try to place you near where you are living. I know that LaTrobe's OT placements depend on where you live and you get some say in it (how far they are).
Title: Re: Placements
Post by: sweetiepi on September 30, 2019, 10:02:49 pm
Hi, just curious about placements at Deakin. I'm looking at doing OT but I'm wondering if I can afford to stay on campus and travel to placements. How far can they send you for placements and do you get much choice in where you go?
Not Deakin or OT, but I just came off a placement for my own course, and I didn't get much say and ended up traveling 2 (and sometimes more) hours each way (on public transport aha). But that's mostly due to availability and/or locations available to the university. ^-^

I'd hope that other courses are nicer than my own though aha ^-^
Title: Re: Placements
Post by: Aaron on September 30, 2019, 10:13:53 pm
I can also vouch for the above re: placements - for teaching (also different area but still a practicum based course), most of the time you don't get a choice. They have guidelines (e.g. maximum travel times) but that's it! My combination of maths/IT made it difficult for me to find a school willing to take on a student teacher so mine was a little bit further than most - it really is about finding somewhere based on your needs. Location is secondary.

I was sent to schools within 25 mins and one that was nearly 90 mins away! (Fingers crossed you don't get one of the long ones!)

but generally Universities try to place you near where you are living. I know that LaTrobe's OT placements depend on where you live and you get some say in it (how far they are).
They all say that.
Title: Re: Placements
Post by: KatherineGale on September 30, 2019, 10:50:01 pm
I can't talk specifically about Deakin, but generally Universities try to place you near where you are living. I know that LaTrobe's OT placements depend on where you live and you get some say in it (how far they are).

Not Deakin or OT, but I just came off a placement for my own course, and I didn't get much say and ended up traveling 2 (and sometimes more) hours each way (on public transport aha). But that's mostly due to availability and/or locations available to the university. ^-^

I'd hope that other courses are nicer than my own though aha ^-^
I can also vouch for the above re: placements - for teaching (also different area but still a practicum based course), most of the time you don't get a choice. They have guidelines (e.g. maximum travel times) but that's it! My combination of maths/IT made it difficult for me to find a school willing to take on a student teacher so mine was a little bit further than most - it really is about finding somewhere based on your needs. Location is secondary.

I was sent to schools within 25 mins and one that was nearly 90 mins away! (Fingers crossed you don't get one of the long ones!)
They all say that.

Thanks for your replies! 

I had assumed it would be the case of first in best dressed or get what you're given and by the sounds of it, it seems that way. I understand it but it is still rather worrying. I am on youth allowance, cannot work due to health issues and have to move to go to uni and live on campus as my current housing circumstances are uncertain. I am guessing a lot of people work part time, but if you didn't, how were you able to afford the cost of travel to placements?

Title: Re: Placements
Post by: Aaron on October 01, 2019, 01:15:11 am
It's an interesting one, that's for sure. I was on Youth Allowance as well and didn't get anything for my travel. Your best bet would be to try for a scholarship if Deakin offers them, but apart from that.... yeah. Definitely have a chat to the folks at Deakin they might be able to lead you in the direction of financial supports.
Title: Re: Placements
Post by: K888 on October 01, 2019, 10:10:59 am
I don't go to Deakin but I do physio at Monash and didn't get a say in where I got my placements. That being said, they have mostly been fairly close to me. It depends whether deakin do placements in "clinical schools" (i.e. if they have groupings of hospitals/locations that you get allotted into) or if it's just anywhere. In my course we have clinical schools and I'm in one that has locations mainly near me.

Generally though if you have an absolutely legitimate reason why you can't attend a placement, the placements team should be able to discuss options with you. Being linked in with your unis disability support services is also a big help. And like Aaron said, for financial stuff you can apply for scholarships.

I'd recommend speaking to someone at the uni about your concerns, they'll probably be able to give you the best info :)
Title: Re: Placements
Post by: KatherineGale on October 01, 2019, 06:22:10 pm
It's an interesting one, that's for sure. I was on Youth Allowance as well and didn't get anything for my travel. Your best bet would be to try for a scholarship if Deakin offers them, but apart from that.... yeah. Definitely have a chat to the folks at Deakin they might be able to lead you in the direction of financial supports.

Yeah, I am applying for scholarships but there is always the chance I won't get one or that if I do it'd have to go on textbooks or something. Like you suggested, I'll contact Deakin and ask them. I really appreciate all your help, thank you!


I don't go to Deakin but I do physio at Monash and didn't get a say in where I got my placements. That being said, they have mostly been fairly close to me. It depends whether deakin do placements in "clinical schools" (i.e. if they have groupings of hospitals/locations that you get allotted into) or if it's just anywhere. In my course we have clinical schools and I'm in one that has locations mainly near me.

Generally though if you have an absolutely legitimate reason why you can't attend a placement, the placements team should be able to discuss options with you. Being linked in with your unis disability support services is also a big help. And like Aaron said, for financial stuff you can apply for scholarships.

I'd recommend speaking to someone at the uni about your concerns, they'll probably be able to give you the best info :)

That's great to know - I didn't realise you could discuss issues like this with Universities, or that they had placement teams (no one in my family has gone to uni before, so I'm trying to muddle my way through all the ins and outs). I also didn't know they had disability support services - I'll inquire further about this when I give them a call. Thank you so much for your help!