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Essentials Careers Placements THIS WORKS
placements this works image with 3 placement students

Get The Placement Year Edge

A Professional Placement Year is available on most of our Undergraduate programmes as a 4-year programme or you can convert to one from your 3-year degree at a later stage.

Doing a Placement Year will help you to grow in confidence, learn new skills and build professional networks.

You may even get a job offer before you finish your placement. We will help you every step of the way.

  • Professional Placement Year students are offered support and training from day one
  • Get the opportunity to engage with placement students from across the university in immersive placement preparatory boot camps
  • Get the opportunity to contextualize your academic theory into practice and explore your potential future career
  • Gain a competitive advantage, and graduate with a year's experience under your belt and a passport to your future 
  • Placement year students are more likely to get a higher education classification and salary when they graduate

Take a tour on a day in the life of our students on placement

Hannah Newman, MChem Chemistry

Hannah completed her Professional Placement Year in analytical chemistry working on the development of pharmaceutical drugs. Like Hannah, you can make a real impact in an industry you are passionate about.

Jake Lacey, BSc Zoology

Jake has always had a passion for reptiles and his Professional Placement Year with RSPCA Reptile Rescue Centre in Brighton has provided an experience beyond his expectations. Follow in Jake’s footsteps and find a placement that will make a real difference.

Isabella La Gumina, BSc Economics

Before starting her Professional Placement Year at Nationwide, Isabella didn’t know what a Payment Strategy Analyst was. A year down the line Isabella is fully immersed into professional life and her confidence has rocketed. She’s comfortable presenting to large audiences and now knows exactly what she’s looking for in a graduate job.

Discover youR placement journey

The Placement Journey

Every placement journey is different, from being pushed out of your comfort zone, to influencing business decisions or working on exciting and innovative projects. Each professional placement year brings unique experiences that define your journey.

Professional Placement Year - This Works

A Professional Placement Year is available on most of our Undergraduate programmes as a 4 year programme or you can convert to one at a later on. Doing a Placement Year will help you to grow in confidence, learn new skills and build professional networks. You may even get a job offer before you finish your placement. Our Placements Team provide dedicated training and support throughout your placement journey.

Anika, Gwen and Sam

Meet three of our students who chose to undertake a Professional Placement Year and learn more about their experiences and tips for students considering doing the same.

Applying for Placements

The University’s Placements Team will support you throughout your placement journey. From regular training sessions and workshops, to one-to-one support. Your dedicated Placement Co-ordinator and Placement Tutor will help you every step of the way.

First Time Experiences

A Professional Placement Year will provide lots of new experiences and sometimes challenges. Our placement students share their favourite memories from their placement year.

Getting personal

Our students share their personal reasons for doing a Professional Placement Year and give advice to students thinking about following in their footsteps.

Top Tips from Students on Placement

Our Placement Year students share their top tips and give practical pointers.

Boot Camps

At our Part 1 and 2 Boot Camps, students spend the day preparing for the placement year recruitment and selection process with industry experts and our team. Check out why our previous attendees felt the session gave them an advantage.

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