Placements and work experience
Whatever you choose to study, you can incorporate a placement year into your degree. It’s a fantastic way to gain invaluable experience in a real workplace, develop your employability skills and build a professional network.
According to recent HESA research, the 12-month placement experience really seems to inspire students to succeed – about 96% of them go on to graduate with a 2:1 or a First. There are plenty of other reasons why a placement is invaluable.
Earn a salary whilst gaining experience
The majority of students earn a salary during their placement. Some even secure permanent employment for when they graduate. There are other benefits too including better workplace skills and career confidence, improved subject awareness and understanding, a stronger CV and enhanced graduate possibilities. The skills you acquire on placement can be applied to your studies, and many students say their grades improve because of their placement experience.
Test-drive a career
Undecided on a career path? Completing a placement as part of your degree is an excellent way to test-drive a potential career. It allows you to get stuck into a professional role. You may decide you love it or perhaps discover something else that inspires you more. Either way, a placement can help refine your options and focus your career decision making.
Take advantage of our industry links
We have excellent links with high-profile companies, keen to recruit our students for placements, and we offer plenty of support to help you find a suitable opportunity. It’s up to you to secure your placement, however comprehensive application and pre-placement guidance is provided by your school or department and the Careers Network.
Experience a different culture
If you are interested in travelling while you study, we offer placement opportunities abroad as well as options to spend three to 12 months at an overseas university. In addition to placements, you’ll have access to countless other work experience and internship prospects. There are so many exciting ways to enrich your experience and enhance your CV.
Help finding work
During your degree we encourage you to benefit from a range of meaningful work opportunities. If you want to find part-time work, short-term internships or take a year out in industry on a Placement Year – our Careers Network team can advise on the best ways to search and apply for work.
Stand out from the crowd
In an increasingly competitive graduate job market, we recognise the importance of building an application that shines. Employers are looking for more from their graduate employees than just a degree. They want to see commitment and experience of applying knowledge in a real workplace. Completing a placement year is the perfect opportunity to really demonstrate your competence. It gives you a whole year of invaluable experience to shout about – before you’ve even graduated.