Two students working together on a laptop

Placements

Enhance your employability, learn new skills and apply what you’ve learned in a work environment.

About placements

What is a placement?

  • Starts after your 2nd year of study
  • Full-time work (usually 35-40 hours per week)
  • Paid a National Minimum Wage or above
  • Minimum of 36 weeks up to 12 months in duration
  • Accredited - your degree will be awarded “with placement”
  • Can be based anywhere in the world

Why should I do a placement?

Gaining placement experience can significantly increase your prospects of securing a graduate-level job. It enhances the skills and knowledge gained throughout your degree, allows you to gain experience working in a particular sector or role, and helps you to make more informed career decisions. The experience and skills you gain can help to boost your CV and future job applications. 

96% of our students who did a placement year completed their degree with a 2:1 or higher (based on UKFTFD 2022/23 degree attainment data).

87% of our students who did a placement year have gone onto a positive graduate outcome (based on UKFTFD 2020/21 Graduate Outcomes HESA data).

Hear from students about their experience and the benefits of doing a placement:

Get started on your placement journey

You must search and apply for placements independently. You should begin searching for a placement early as applications for some placement schemes close during Semester 1. To explore your career options, see Your Career Journey.

Where to find a placement

Take advantage of networking opportunities at events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and speak with your current employer about potential placements. Not all opportunities are advertised, check out our guide to Speculative Applications.

How to apply for a placement

Get Help with Applications – support with writing CVs, cover letters and application forms as well as preparing for interviews and assessment centres.

Placements events

We run events throughout the year to support you on your placements journey. Here’s what you can expect to see:

Place To Be

Join our exclusive placements recruitment event, Place To Be, during Semester 2. 

The next Place To Be event will be in 2025 but keep updated with other upcoming placements events via CareerHub.

Get Placed

Get Placed sessions happen weekly throughout Semester 1. Hear directly from multinational companies about their placement opportunities and find out what employers are looking for. You can also join placement support sessions on succeeding in applications and interviews.

Other Placements events

We offer placement events and workshops throughout the academic year, including introductions to placements, application support, visa information sessions and more. Search for upcoming Placements events on Career Hub.

Have you already secured a placement? Let us know by completing the placement declaration form so we can start the approval process.

Get help on your placement journey

Speak to a member of the Placements team

Ask a Question

Make the most of your placement

During your placement, we advise you to:

  • be proactive: get involved in every opportunity, be enthusiastic, take on further responsibility and stretch your abilities. Ask questions and make suggestions. Make a good impression with your manager and colleagues.

  • record your achievements: keep track of your successes and the challenges you overcome. Reflect on what you do and the skills you develop. This will be extremely useful for future job applications.

  • ask for feedback: before you leave, get comments on your performance and what you need to do to improve your employability. Ask if your manager will write a reference for you. Get contact details of colleagues who may act as mentors or sources of advice, or help you find future employment.