INTERNSHIPS
Unique local and international placements for hard-working QUT design students.
FOSTERING DESIGN EXCELLENCE
The Academy Internship Program offers high-performing QUT design students an opportunity to advance their learning through real-world projects, and provides a pathway for paid internship placements at BMW Group in Munich, Germany.
Our Internship program is made up of two different opportunities: Academy WIL Internships and BMW Group Internships.
100hr part-time internships to develop your technical and professional skills and make you a better designer.
Based at QUT Kelvin Grove in the Academy workspaces.
Only available to QUT School of Design students enrolled in a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unit.
The Academy WIL Program is a beneficial experience which supports the BMW Group Design Internships in Germany + UK.
Project options typically include 3D modeling, animation and visualisation, UI/UX and graphic design, hardware design, mixed reality and other applications of emerging technology.
2x intakes each year: semester 1 + 2 of the QUT Academic calendar, for up to 4x students each semester.
ACADEMY WIL INTERNSHIPS
(AUSTRALIA)
6-12month full-time (paid) internships with BMW AG or Idealworks.
Based in Munich and Regensburg in Germany, or Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Exclusive to QUT School of Design students nearing graduation, or just graduated.
Design positions in teams focused on intralogistics, robotics, factory digitalisation and innovation, plus Artificial Intelligence.
Intern projects have included 3D modelling, 3D visualisation, UI/UX design, application design, hardware design, mixed reality, 2D and 3D animation, prototyping, graphics, presentations and much more.
Currently 2x intakes per year, occurring minimum 3months prior to intended start date*. Exact teams and number of positions will be specified for each application round.
*Intake and timing may change each year.
BMW GROUP INTERNSHIPS
(GERMANY + UK)
Design Capstone projects developed by the Academy and/or our BMW Group partners.
Brisbane based with support from the Academy team and BMW Group staff.
Currently available to Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Games Design disciplines.
Project options typically include the application of advanced technology across concept and hardware design, immersive and interactive experiences, or infotainment and passenger experiences.
Past and future project options may be connected to ongoing industry work and cannot be made public, meaning students may not be able to share details or content from their capstone project for a specified or indefinite amount of time.
Student selection based on application quality and available projects.
ACADEMY CAPSTONE UNIT PROJECTS
(AUSTRALIA)
We’re not all about cars!
Not interested in cars? Don’t worry!
It can be easy to assume we are automotive focused, given the BMW name. However, our Internship Program goes beyond cars, offering a diverse range of skill development. Sometimes there will be automotive themed projects on offer through the Academy WIL Program or Design Capstone units, but most options are not car related. Rather, our projects are mostly focused on 3D modelling, graphic design and technology.
Similarly, the BMW Group Internships rarely include car specific projects. While projects often contribute to the overall manufacture of vehicles, the work instead focuses on technology applications, workflows and processes, digitisation, innovation, and various design opportunities within the company. Currently, all our BMW Group teams are within robotics, intralogistics, manufacturing and automation areas.
Both Internship Program experiences provide students with exposure to various industries and technologies, helping them discover their passions and refine their career paths early on. Even if interns find certain areas less appealing, the experience still holds value for their resumes and portfolios, showcasing their versatility and practical skills gained.
ACADEMY WIL INTERNSHIPS
ABOUT
The Academy Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Internships support QUT design students as they develop their professional and technical skills across a 100hr (part-time) internship experience. Up to 4 students each semester work with the Academy designers to fast-track their learning on a chosen project brief, aimed at introducing them to skills, workflows and technology used within BMW Group. These design projects have been created by the Academy, or offered by one of our BMW Group partners, and typically focus on 3D modeling, animation and visualisation, UI/UX and graphic design, hardware design, mixed reality, or other emerging technology areas.
We open applications to School of Design students (Industrial, Interaction, Visual Communication, Fashion) and on occasion, other disciplines such as Games Design. Double degree students (e.g. Design + Business, Design + Engineering) can also apply. Students must be enrolled in a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unit to be considered. We seek students who are motivated and hard-working, passionate about design and have a general willingness to learn. Some of what you can expect to develop during our WIL program includes:
Technical Skills
3D Modelling
Digital rendering and visualisation
The design process + design thinking
Design research
2D + 3D Animation
Graphics, UI + UX design
Aesthetics + styling
Sketching and analogue rendering
Verbal, written and visual communication
Professional Skills
Presentation
Communication
Attention to detail + self evaluation
Professionalism + maturity
Project management
Time management
Analytical + critical thinking
Autonomy + initiative
Teamwork + collaboration
SEMESTER 2, 2024 PROJECT OPTIONS
1. 3D Modeling, Texturing and Rendering
Build your 3D modeling skills and learn how create impactful presentations with realistic textures and visualisations.
2. Academy Bookshelf Design
Develop creative storage solutions to be manufactured and implemented into the Academy workspaces.
3. Augmented Reality Experiences for Display Plinths
Create engaging interactive experiences based on the 3D models and display plinths in the Beta Lab.
4. Academy Branding Assets
Design and create website content and new branding assets and help advance the Academy brand.
HOW TO APPLY
Check your study plan and eligibility to enrol into a QUT Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unit (if not already enrolled). Contact the Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning team for more information and any questions (ci.wil@qut.edu.au).
Check the Academy social media platforms to see when the next lot of applications are open, and importantly, the submission deadline. Typically applications open Week 1 of each semester and close at the end of Week 2. Project options will also be advertised at this time via social media plus an online information session or in-class presentations.
Submit your updated Cover Letter, Resume and Portfolio via the QUT InPlace portal.
Academy team will review applications and contact all students about the status of their application. Interviews might be held prior to confirming the successful students.
Students confirm their project choice and begin their Academy WIL internships
Applications for our Semester 2, 2024 WIL Internships have now closed. Our next WIL Internships applications are due to open in Week 1 of Semester 1, 2025.
ACADEMY WIL INTERNSHIP FAQ’S
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The Academy WIL Program gives students a valuable opportunity to significantly develop their design skills, which benefits their studies, work after University, and provides a pathway to a paid internship position at BMW Group overseas.
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Yes, you must be enrolled in QUT WIL unit to apply for the Academy internship program. Please contact the WIL team (ci.wilsupport@qut.edu.au) for eligibility requirements and any questions you may have.
If completing a WIL unit is not possible for you, or not of interest, we also offer projects for the Capstone units in select design degrees. We offer projects each year and can also facilitate student initiated projects (please speak with us for information and to confirm prior).
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Typically our Internship Program is only for School of Design (SoD) students (Industrial, Visual Communication, Interaction and Fashion), however projects can sometimes be open to Games Design students or other disciplines. If we are seeking applications from outside the SoD for the upcoming semester we will advertise this across our social media platforms.
Students enrolled in a double degree (examples: Design and Engineering, Design and Business) are able to apply.
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Academy WIL Program interns are fortunate in the way that they get to choose what internship project they want to complete from our list of projects that semester. We aim to provide a variety of projects either created by the Academy, or real BMW projects which are offered by teams in Germany. These can be conceptual, or more tangible and realistic design briefs across Industrial, Visual Communication and/or Interaction Design areas. This usually includes areas like 3D modelling and visualisation/presentation, UI/UX and app design, hardware design, robotics and even VR, just to name a few.
As our WIL Program is ultimately designed to be a stepping stone to the BMW Group Internships, most of the project themes and the skills taught are tailored towards the work that our BMW Group partners are doing.
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We seek high-achieving students for our WIL Program. It is essential that students have a professional attitude, a desire to excel and continually improve, an ability to follow instructions with the initiative to find solutions independently, and is someone who takes their future career seriously. Competency in problem solving, research, sketching, visualisation and presentation areas is required. While experience with 3D modelling (Blender, Fusion360 or similar), the Adobe Suite, prototyping software, and AR, VR and/or coding languages is favourable, it is not essential.
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If you aren’t accepted, don’t worry! You can always apply next semester if it fits your study plan. We also provide general feedback to unsuccessful applicants to help you improve your design skills and portfolio.
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The Academy Internships are based at QUT Kelvin Grove Campus in our Alpha Studio workspace.
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The Academy internship program has a duration of 100hrs, with a schedule of 2 days per week.
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Applications open at the start of each semester, however specific dates are always advertised online and through online or in-class information sessions. The online information sessions, if being held, are advertised on our social media platforms and generally occur in O-Week or Week 1 of semester. During the presentation we introduce you to the Academy, our Internship Program, plus the internship projects on offer for that semester (some details may be withheld if confidential/live BMW Group projects are on offer). Specific application details and some time for a Q+A are included.
You can register your interest for the Academy Internship program here, and the team will contact you prior to the start of your nominated semester. Students are welcome to attend the information sessions even if they are not eligible for a WIL unit just yet, or are looking to apply for a future semester.
BMW GROUP INTERNSHIPS
ABOUT
Our BMW Group Internships are an incredible opportunity to live and work overseas with BMW AG or Idealworks (a BMW Group subsidiary). Exclusive to QUT design students, these internships are full-time, paid positions working on industry leading projects in areas such as robotics, intralogistics, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and more. Double degree students (e.g. Design + Business, Design + Engineering) can also apply.
For these internship positions, our BMW Group partners seek students who are focused, talented and high-performing, adaptable and open-minded, professional and have a willingness to learn and a drive to succeed. Currently we have QUT design students and graduates placed in Munich, Germany (idealworks, BMW TechOffice Munich, Logistics Innovation + Robotics), Regensburg, Germany (BMW Innovation Management) and Birmingham, United Kingdom (BMW Plant Hams Hall). We continue to search for new internship opportunities within various BMW Group teams, departments, and locations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BMW Group interns must be nearing graduation, or having just graduated. BMW will not offer internship contracts with a start date exceeding 1yr since the graduation date.
As of 2024, internships with BMW in Germany are for a maximum of 6 months. Idealworks positions are for a maximum of 12 months.
While it is beneficial, it is not essential that you have done an Academy WIL internship prior to the BMW Group internship.
The Academy supports the onboarding process for students confirmed to have internship placements overseas, including an information session and some training.
Germany: Students are assisted by BMW HR with their Visa applications, while Graduates are responsible for their own Visa. Circumstances might be different depending on nationality and residency status (e.g. EU passport or non-Australian citizen).
UK: Interns are responsible for their own Visa.
Students should have enough saved to financially support themselves for the first 3 months overseas. Additional savings is recommended for contingencies.
HOW TO APPLY
Consider your study plan and circumstances prior to applying for a BMW Group Internship.
Check the Academy social media platforms to see when the next lots of applications are open, and importantly, the submission deadline.
Submit your updated Cover Letter, Resume and Portfolio to the Academy team via email -
info@bmwgroupqutdesign.academyAcademy team shortlists the applications and send the suitable candidates to each team for review
BMW Group teams review the shortlisted applications and often interview before selecting
Students are offered an internship. If they accept, communications with the team leaders and relevant HR teams commence
The Academy team support the successful students with the onboarding process prior to them leaving for Germany or the UK
Submissions for our early 2025 positions (+ Hams Hall) have now closed.
Applications for the mid-2025 positions at Plant Regensburg and TechOffice Munich are expected to open in March 2025.
SOME PREVIOUS BMW GROUP INTERNSHIP PROJECTS
3D modelling, texturing and hyper-realistic renderings of the idealworks iw.hub autonomous robot
Virtual Reality prototype for an interactive Auto Show and exhibition planning tool
3D asset library of industrial logistics items for Artificial Intelligence training and BMW iFACTORY Digital Twin
Digital Twin (iFACTORY) creation, development and simulations, including photogrammetry and point clouds
Full branding, application and UI design to digitise and streamline Rolls Royce vehicle production and part management
Hardware and robot peripheral designs, such as a battery maintenance tool and calibration station
Robot management application design and 3D web viewer
3D animations to show new AI applications and innovations in factory digitalisation
Presentations to management (including BMW CEO Oliver Zipse), and a NVIDIA live-stream on YouTube
Future Vision animations to illustrate the implementation of new technology and processes within BMW manufacturing and logistics
2025 TEAMS, POSITIONS + EXPECTED PROJECTS
IDEALWORKS (DIGITAL DESIGN)
Munich, Germany
Ideation of features for app design
Robot control application
3D design for simulation and visualization
Design research/user testing for tele-operation application
Knowledge of Figma, Adobe Suite, Blender and Substance Painter is highly beneficial.
IDEALWORKS (SIMULATION)
Munich, Germany
Designing 3D models and assets for simulation
Building digital worlds in simulation
Learning and mastering Nvidia Omniverse software
Animation and rendering
Knowledge of Omniverse, Figma, Adobe Suite, Blender, Substance Painter and some coding is highly beneficial.
IDEALWORKS (MARKETING/DESIGN)
Munich, Germany
Detailed information about this team, position/s and their projects is not yet available.
BMW TECHOFFICE MUNICH
Munich, Germany
Creating Digital Twins and industrial factory environments for simulations, animations and visualisations
3D and 2D animations
Video creation and editing
3D Modeling, texturing and visualisation
Knowledge of Omniverse, Blender, Cinema4D, Substance Painter, AfterEffects and PremierePro is highly beneficial.
LOGISTICS INNOVATION & ROBOTICS
Munich, Germany
Synthetic Data, Digital Twin and simulation projects
Mixed Reality integration and applications
Future Vision Animation and visualisation projects (3D modeling, rendering, animation)
UI/UX design and other graphics projects
Knowledge of Omniverse, Blender, Substance Painter, the Adobe Suite, physical prototyping and VR is highly beneficial.
BMW GROUP PLANT HAMS HALL (INNOVATION & DIGITALISATION)
Birmingham, UK
3D modelling production facility environments
Developing industry leading live production simulations, and interactive data-fed product and environment models
Training and Process analysis in VR, plus AR production overlays
Rendering animated scenes for network-wide communication
3D scanning with automated robots and drones.
Knowledge of the Figma, Adobe Suite, Blender, Substance Painter, Omniverse, XR and video editing is highly beneficial.
BMW GROUP PLANT REGENSBURG (INNOVATION MANAGEMENT)
Regensburg, Germany
Small scale mobile app designs with a no-code platform to support workers on the shop floor
Desktop applications to support quality management across multiple BMW Group factories
Various other optimization and automation solutions
Knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, Figma, Miro and some SQL coding is highly beneficial.
BMW RESEARCH + TECHNOLOGY HOUSE
Munich, Germany
Detailed information about this team, position/s and their projects is not yet available.
VIRTUAL FACTORY
Munich, Germany
Detailed information about this team, position/s and their projects is not yet available.
BMW GROUP INTERNSHIP FAQ’S
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Yes! You are able to apply for a BMW Group Internship without completing an Academy WIL internship prior. The Academy WIL Program is designed to upskill and prepare students before a potential BMW internship, it can be more beneficial to have undertaken an Academy Internship first.
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Both students and graduates can apply and will be considered. It is very important to note that BMW has a rule in place where graduates cannot start their internship more than one year from their graduation date. Graduating from QUT while interning overseas can also cause headaches with the Work Visa, so it is not recommended.
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The BMW Internship Program is typically open to School of Design (SoD) students (Industrial, Interaction, Visual Communication). However as new teams and opportunities open, or new projects emerge, other disciplines such as Animation and Games Design may be considered. Information about the students we are seeking for each internship role is advertised for each application round, in addition to presentations and staff announcements to specific disciplines.
Students enrolled in a double degree (examples: Design and Engineering, Design and Business) can also apply. -
We seek high-achieving students for the BMW Group Internship Program. It is essential that students have a professional attitude, a desire to excel and continually improve, an ability to follow instructions with the initiative to find solutions independently, and someone who takes their future career seriously. Competency in problem solving, research, sketching, visualisation and presentation areas is essential. Specific skills and requirements vary depending on the team and projects, but commonly used skills include 3D CAD modelling and visualisation, VR and AR, Graphic Design & UI/UX, photography, videography and animations, presentations and slide decks, and systems design. Commonly used software includes Blender, AfterEffects, PremierPro, Illustrator, Substance Painter, Omniverse and Figma. Interns can also expect to learn entirely new skills and software during their internship.
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Typically our BMW Group Interns are working on research and development projects, creating prototypes and MVPs, contributing or participating in presentations and pitches for funding, supporting on-going projects, or supporting events (internal and external).
Most of the teams our BMW Group Internships are within the logistics and manufacturing areas of BMW Group. The work they do can often changes each year, however previous projects have included: UI/UX and app design, 3D modelling and texturing, systems design, a VR autoshow planning app (+ other game engine use cases), 3D animations, iconography and vectors for presentations or documentation, 3D web viewers and Digital Twin development.
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BMW Group internships are full-time positions and have a duration of around 6 months, sometimes up to 12 months (depending on the team).
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Currently our BMW Group internship teams are across two continents in Munich, Germany (idealworks, TechOffice Munich, Logistic Robotics & Innovation), Regensburg, Germany (Innovation Management), and Birmingham, United Kingdom (Innovation & Digitalisation - Plant Hams Hall).
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No, it is not a requirement that you have German language skills. However we do recommend that you make an effort to learn the basics as it is beneficial for everyday life in Germany.
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Yes. BMW HR supports the Visa process for students in Germany, but graduates are required to organise their own documents. Interns going to the UK are also responsible for their own Work Visa. The Academy provides some documentation on the process, but it is still the responsibility of the individual to check they have completed all necessary steps.
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Unfortunately QUT and BMW are not able to provide financial support for individuals who have been accepted into an internship. We encourage interns to consider Government HELP loans if they require financial assistance.
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Yes! BMW Group pays all of their interns - you are a BMW or idealworks employee while there. The pay is enough to support living costs.
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Application dates and information for the next round of internship positions are made available here on our website, on our Instagram and LinkedIn, and in presentations to students during class.
You can register your interest for the BMW Group Internship program here, and the team will contact you prior to the start of your nominated year.
ACADEMY CAPSTONE UNIT PROJECTS
ABOUT
The Academy Capstone Unit projects give final year design students the opportunity to work on industry connected projects, developed by the Academy and/or our BMW Group partners. These are self-led projects completed with guidance and technical support from the Academy and BMW Group staff. Projects and capacity for each discipline vary each year, but typically a handful of students are selected to complete projects across several disciplines, such as Industrial, Interaction and Games Design.
Past projects have included autonomous robot hardware design, in-vehicle passenger experiences and future mobility innovations. Students are given the opportunity to discuss and share their work with BMW Group staff overseas, receiving valuable feedback and industry specific knowledge that they can apply to their work. We welcome capstone students to contact us if they have their own project in mind, outside of the options we have available.
DESIGN CAPSTONE UNIT PROJECT OPTIONS
Industrial Design (Semester 2, 2025)
Projects for this unit are not confirmed yet.
Interaction Design (Semester 2, 2025)
Projects for this unit are not confirmed yet.
Visual Communication Design (Semester 2, 2025) - TBC
Projects for this unit is not yet confirmed.
HOW TO APPLY
Check with your relevant Unit Coordinator and teaching staff to discover what projects are on offer (if any) for your Capstone Unit.
Due to the level of interest we receive each year, a basic application process is used to select the student/s in each discipline. A Cover Letter, Resume and Portfolio is submitted to the Academy, who make a selection and notify students.
Students confirm their project choice and begin their Capstone projects.
