Work Placements
Stand out from the crowd in a competitive graduate job market.
Almost all of our degrees are available with the opportunity to spend 9 to 12 months in the workplace during your degree. This could be in Stage 3 or 4 depending on your degree.
You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation, anywhere in the world, and will receive University support to do so.
Degrees that aren't eligible to take a placement year are:
- Medicine
- Dental Science
- Oral and Dental Health Sciences
- Speech and Language Sciences
- Chinese Studies or Japanese Studies
- MPharm Pharmacy
Benefits of work placements
Work placements can enhance your CV and help you work out what you'd like to do when you graduate:
- apply your skills and knowledge to real business situations
- try out a career choice
- gain confidence and experience of adapting to different environments
- develop your commercial acumen and occupational awareness
- make contacts within the sector
Support we'll provide
Work placements are available either through your academic School or through the Careers Service Placement Year. You’re responsible for sourcing and applying for your own placement but you’ll receive our support to do so.
Once you’re ready to apply, you’ll get help to write a targeted CV and cover letter. If you secure an interview, you can get free interview coaching to help you prepare.
Your placement extends your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability and aren’t guaranteed.
The support continues once you’re on placement. If you're in the UK, staff will stay in touch through a combination of virtual or phone contact and in person visits. If you're abroad, you'll receive contact through Skype.
You’ll complete an academic module related to your placement to help you reflect on the skills you’ve developed and understand how to effectively communicate these to future employers.
Loans and fees
Your placement year has a reduced tuition fee, which covers the cost of the support we provide.
You will be eligible for a reduced tuition fee loan during your placement year and can still claim your cost of living loan if you wish to.
Further information
More information about Work Placements can be found on our Careers Service website.
If you're unable to take a work placement year, there are other ways of getting work experience and enhancing your CV whilst you study, such as taking a term-time internship and shadowing opportunities.