Univative - A Consulting Competition

Applications for Univative 2020 are now closed. 

Please visit this website in 2021 for information regarding future programs.

What is Univative?

Univative is a unique inter-university, inter-discipline, inter-cultural student employability program where student teams devise innovative solutions for genuine problems posed by industries and communities. It is designed to enhance your employability skills by placing you in a real-life project with limited time and resources with team members of varied backgrounds.

Since 2011, 1076 students, 188 teams from 8 universities have joined forces with 33 organisations to tackle real world challenges with refreshing approaches.

Univative 2020 is proudly participated by 9 universities - University of New South Wales, Australian Catholic University, Central Queensland University (Sydney campus), Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, The University of Notre Dame, University of Technology Sydney, The University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University.

 

How does Univative work?

2020 Univative will be delivered entirely online (training sessions, group meetings, final presentation) and this online format will not be affected by potential changes in social distancing rules.

UNSW students from different disciplines are grouped into small consulting teams and are provided with a brief by their project host. Each consulting team will work on a project for 4 weeks (26 June to 24 July) and compete with teams of students from other participating universities. Teams will plan, research, discuss and formulate a solution and will provide a detailed report to the project host at the conclusion of the allocated time. Each team will record a video presentation with their business idea for the project host and will receive feedback and a certificate for participation as well as recognition on AHEGS.

Project hosts in previous years have included Commonwealth Bank of Australia, EY, Hilti, Accor, Conservation Volunteers Australia, NSW Trade & Investment, Starlight Foundation, Nielson, Kid’s Money, and Salvation Army.

 

Benefits of participating in Univative

  • Build practical work skills including consulting, team work, problem solving, presenting, researching, creative thinking and report writing
  • Gain further understanding of business practices within a particular industry or field
  • Develop ability to see a problem from multiple perspectives and tackle it in different ways
  • Make a real contribution to a corporate or not for profit organisation
  • Enhance resume with valuable business experience and achievements and recognition on AHEGS

Requirements of Univative

Applicants must have sufficient time to commit each week to the online project work, team meetings, mid-point check, and final presentation between late June and late July. We recommend 8 – 12 hours each week of the competition. Applicants must be prepared to attend an online induction and training session.

Key dates (delivered entirely online)

  • Onboarding session: TBA between 15-19/6
  • Program launch and central training: Fri 26/6
  • Project briefing: Mon 29/6
  • Mid-point check: Mon 13/7
  • Reports due: Wed 22/7
  • Presentation Video due: Thur 23/7
  • Finale, award ceremony, networking: Fri 24/7
  • University debrief: TBA

Who is eligible?

This competition is open to all currently enrolled undergraduate and postgraduate students of UNSW. Penultimate and final year students will be given priority and international students are encouraged to apply.

No industry experience is required.

How to apply

Applications for 2020 are closed.

Contact us

For more information contact Student Academic and Career Success

Comments from previous participants

"I learned a lot from the experience, which helped me grow personally. I believe I am now more confident in professional settings, and this allows me to improve my networking skills and develop valuable professional contacts” 

"The experience exceeded my expectations in that I went into Univative thinking I wanted to challenge myself and give my best effort to win the competition. I did that with my team, but what I didn’t expect was that I would have so much fun in the process. I built up a strong bond with my teammates and we all gave our best together, which made the experience meaningful and worthwhile. I believe this experience will have a lasting impact on me because of the sheer exposure I got from Univative”