Careers Network

Get a placement

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Found a placement

Once you have found a placement, there are a number or steps to take to ensure it meets all the formal requirements and the correct ‘paperwork’ is completed.

WHAT THE UNIVERSITY NEEDS YOU TO DO

  • Inform your Placement Officer and complete / check all the required health and safety related actions using Co-Tutor.  In particular, the:
    • Risk Assessment
    • Health and Safety Briefing
    • Host Organisation Declaration Form
  • If your placement is unpaid and/or there is no contract or agreement in place between you and the organisation, then ask the organisation for written confirmation of the following:
    • A job description or summary of the duties you will be undertaking
    • Days and hours of the placement/internship
    • Breaks during the day e.g. time allowed for lunch
    • Whether work-related expenses can be claimed, including how to claim, e.g. by submitting receipts for travel
    • Any ‘holiday’ or ‘annual leave’ entitlement
  • If your placement is overseas you must have read and completed:
    • The actions on the Overseas Checklist on Co-Tutor
    • The Travel Advice Section actions (see also Travel advice for overseas placements below)

TOP TIPS

Refer to the resources available on the following topics:

Finding somewhere to live

Explore your options as early as possible to work out what will be the right choice for you.

Living at home

Many students search for a placement near home and can move back home for a year to live with family. This can be a good option financially, but may limit your options for the type and number of placements.

Staying with someone you know

You could take up a placement away from home, but near a friend or relative whom you could stay with. Or you could agree to stay with someone you know for just a short time, giving you the opportunity to find alternative accommodation in the area.

Living in Loughborough

Some students seek placements in and around the Loughborough area. If this will be the first time you have looked for rented accommodation in Loughborough visit the Student Advice and Support Service website.

Finding accommodation in the UK

Most students undertaking a 45-week placement will move away from Loughborough (and away from their family home) and secure accommodation near their place of work.

Help from your placement employer

Some employers might recommend accommodation, help you to find something suitable or put you in touch with other students or staff you could share with. Don’t be afraid to ask about this.

Finding your own place to live

If you need to find rented accommodation near to where you’ll be working, advice on house-hunting, contracts, managing your finances, safety, dealing with any problems is available from the Student Advice and Support Service. Most of this is relevant to accommodation anywhere in the UK.

Accommodation in Loughborough if you don’t find a placement 

If you have not received a placement offer yet, you can apply for a room in halls. If you do secure a placement later in the year, you will need to fill in a cancellation form with evidence of your placement offer to be released from your hall room contract.

Alternatively, you can rent private accommodation, but don’t feel pressured into giving up on your placement search too early!

Travel advice for overseas placements

Before you travel

You must complete the three steps below, so you are well informed whilst you are overseas and that you are prepared for all eventualities.

Step 1: Register for the Online Intelligent Platform (Try and use a different browser other than Internet Explorer e.g. Google Chrome)

Enter your Loughborough University e-mail address (ending.ac.uk), click register and follow the instructions online.  A verification email will be sent.  Click the link, create your password and you're good to go!

Step 2: Download the GlobalRiskManager App

Once self-registered to the online intelligent platform, download the GlobalRiskManager app for travel advice, security information and to receive alerts for any incidents occurring in your destination country or region.  Alerts can be configured by country, proximity, severity and/or category to ensure that you receive the alerts that you need.

Download Drum Cussac‌ instructions on how to use the app.

Step 3: Access Travel Prepare

This is an expanded e-learning facility to assist both staff and students prior to travel, provided by UMAL to its members.

For Medical Emergency - whilst overseas 

In the event of an emergency whilst travelling, contact Global Response for advice and assistance on Tel: +44 (0) 2920 662425 or via E-mail: UMAL@global-response.co.uk Reference: UMAL/T092

Contact Global Response before incurring any substantial medical expenses or being admitted as an inpatient at any hospital, clinic or nursing home.  Do not arrange repatriation without the prior approval of Global Response.

For more information please visit UMAL, contact Loughborough University Insurance support on 01509 222026 or email insurance.support@lboro.ac.uk.

Providing a letter of eligibility to your employer

As part of the recruitment process or when you have accepted the offer of a placement role you may be asked by the organisation for a letter demonstrating that you are a student on a course that includes a placement.  The letter can be requested from Loughborough University Student Enquiries.

If you are a student studying in the UK on a tier 4 visa the organisation may request a letter from you that confirms you are eligible to undertake a placement as part of your course.  This letter can also be requested from Loughborough University Student Enquiries.

For information, advice and the formal requirements for undertaking a placement, follow the placement journey below.