Placements

Do you want to be part of the 97% of our graduates who, having completed some form of placement during their degree, successfully get into graduate-level work, self-employment or postgraduate study after graduation?

Placements are the perfect way to supercharge your skillset, your employability, your confidence and so much more. Best of all – our placements are flexible around you, your life and your needs.

Enhance your skillset and work experience

Learn transferable skills needed to excel in your chosen career and increase your graduate salary potential

Apply your academic knowledge in practice

Gain valuable insight into the way real businesses work and make your mark in industry

Elevate your CV and build your network

Gaining experience through a placement will provide you with real working examples and help you stand out at future interviews

What is a placement?

The term ‘Placement’ is used to describe a range of different types of work. This can be anything from short internships lasting a week or two, to a summer internship or Placement Year roles lasting 6-12 months. A one-year placement forms part of your degree programme between your second and third year of studying for a minimum of 24 weeks.

Internships

Fancy working with a company on a specific project? Or shadowing a professional in the workplace? Or what about developing a prototype or innovation? Our students do a wide range of internships – and these experiences are integrated into our courses.

Longer placements

If you want a more in-depth experience, why not opt for a nine or 12-month placement? A one-year placement forms part of your degree programme between your second and third year of studying for a minimum of 24 weeks.

Where can I do a placement?

Anywhere. We are your gateway to the world with incredible local, national and international opportunities. Our dedicated team can support you in applying for a placement linked to your degree subject or another professional area.

You'll be able to draw on our wide range of contacts with employers locally, our recent placement students have worked at leading organisations:

A group of casually dressed students are travelling in Vietnam wearing conical hats and smiling for a group photo

International placements

We offer every student the chance to study, work or volunteer abroad. You could be helping to conserve turtles in Central Asia, working with Sri Lankan communities on textile projects or delivering sports coaching in Ghana.

Our Go Abroad opportunities will help you grow as a person, gain new skills and make new friendships. We'll help you find funding through the Erasmus+ programme.

Explore Go Abroad opportunities

How do I find a placement?

Come and speak to the Placements Team who are here to support you every step of the way. From finding out more about placements to application support and interview prep, we cover everything with you in your search for a placement and can even match you directly to employers.

Placements advice from our students

Read a final year student's top tips on getting work experience.

Graduate outcomes

97% of placement students secure graduate-level jobs

Benefit from our industry contacts locally, nationally and internationally

88.8% of our graduates are in work or future study 15 months after completing their degree

(HESA graduate outcomes)

78.7% of our employed graduates are in graduate-level roles 15 months after completing their degree

(HESA graduate outcomes)

Support after you graduate

We offer a wide range of graduate internships and access to our careers support for life. We also have a programme offering 100 graduate internships every year, with funding support for employers.

Personalised careers advice

One-to-one support, coaching and professional mentoring to guide you

Access to 4,000+ jobs

Explore the latest graduate jobs which align with your career goals

Support with job applications

Support with interview techniques and CV writing

Internship programmes

We offer a range of paid internship programmes for graduates.

Graduate Internships (Graduate Accelerator Programme)

We work with employers to offer eight-week placements between January and July to further enhance your employability and career growth. Recent graduates can access 160 hours of paid work through this programme. It is open to recent graduates (usually those who graduated in the previous summer) who are unemployed or underemployed.

We provide structured, part-time internship opportunities, funded through the Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEFI) grant. You’ll gain valuable professional experience and earn an income at the same time.

Summer Internships (Graduate Project Officers)

Between July and October, we offer graduates access to paid seven-week placements which involves 140 hours of paid work. Interns are employed on a range of projects to gain valuable graduate experience. The aim is to develop skills and strengthen CVs.