Everything you need to know about a university placement year

Top tips Career University

A university placement year is a great opportunity to explore your future career and gain work experience at the same time. 

Many students travel across the UK and apply for university placement programmes as a way to expand their industry knowledge and meet potential employers. Here, we’ll explain exactly what a university placement is and offer tips on how to successfully apply to one. 

What is a university placement?

A university placement year is when a student takes a year out of their studies to work in an industry of their choice. 

Sometimes, a university placement year is also known as a ‘sandwich year’, ‘year of industry’ or an ‘industry placement programme’. 

University placements typically occur after the second year of an undergraduate course, allowing students to finish their final year of study. They are full-time, paid roles and have tons of benefits. 

  • Boosts employability in a specific industry
  • Develops role-specific skills 
  • Builds a professional network 
  • Improves your academic performance
  • Clarifies career goals

Completing a university placement year also increases your chances of getting a better-paid graduate role as you’ll have some employment experience.  

University placement year vs. internships

A university placement is a work experience opportunity that lasts an entire year and is a pivotal part of your uni degree. In some cases, a university placement year is compulsory. 

On the other hand, an internship is a work opportunity that can last a few weeks or months and is typically not part of your uni degree. Many employers use internships as a way to recruit future employees. 

The key similarity between a university placement and an internship is that both offer the opportunity to develop industry-specific skills while gaining invaluable work experience. 

How to find a university placement

The best time to apply for a university placement is between September and May in your second year of university. This allows up to a year to secure a place. 

To start looking for university placements, take a look at online job websites (such as LinkedIn, Totaljobs or Indeed), company websites, through your university career service or attend industry-specific networking events. 

Once you’ve identified where you want to apply, tailor each application to show that you’re the best fit. Keep track of each application deadline as they will likely differ between programmes. 

Since university placements are quite competitive, apply for as many programmes as possible and try not to feel discouraged if you don’t hear back from them immediately. 

Tips for a successful university placement year

Your placement year should be fun and challenging - it’s the perfect time to travel to a new city, explore your potential career and meet new people. 

  • Identify your goals - What do you want to get out of your university placement? By understanding why you want to do the placement, you’ll feel more confident selecting and completing your programme.   
  • Update your professional profile - If you don’t have one already, create a LinkedIn profile. To also kickstart your professional presence, update your CV and have it ready to go before you start applying for a work placement. 
  • Practice makes perfect - Some applications may require you to attend an interview. To prepare for this, practise with a friend or family member. 
  • Be a sponge - Absorb as much information as possible about the role and don’t be afraid to ask questions or talk to different people in the company. 

FAQs

What companies offer work placements for students?

There are many companies in the UK that offer work placements for students. 

The one best suited to you will depend on the type of industry you’re interested in. For example, if you’re a finance student, big companies like HSBC have industry placement programmes. 

If you want to work in tech, Thales and IBM have popular work placement opportunities. For aspiring writers, marketers or journalists, take a look at the work placements on offer at Bloomberg

How much do students get paid during a placement year?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a work placement student in London is £24,005 p.a. However, this may not be the same across industries. The company you work for will determine how much you earn. Check out how this correlates with the current student living costs.

What skills can I gain from a university placement year?

Your work placement will upskill you in more ways than one. You’ll have a chance to develop your ‘hard skills’ - those necessary for you to be successful in your chosen career - such as writing, auditing or engineering.  

You’ll also develop transferable, ‘soft skills’ which are just as important. These skills include (but are not limited to) time management, communication, teamwork, networking, problem-solving and presentation skills. 

Can a placement year lead to a full-time job offer?

You won’t necessarily receive a job offer straight after your university placement ends as you’ll still need to complete your degree and graduate. 

However, completing a university placement year increases your odds of being employed after you graduate. Not only will you have your degree, but also some work experience under your belt which makes you a more attractive candidate. 

How do I choose the right work placement for my career goals?

Identify what you want to achieve from your work placement. Do you want to network and make long-term industry connections? Are you focused on developing your hard skills? 

When planning your university placement year or selecting your particular industry placement programme, understand what you get at the end of it and what the next steps would be to secure a graduate position. The time you spend at your work placement is the time to get answers to these questions. 

You might be unsure whether the career you’ve chosen is right for you, and the work placement will be a good opportunity to help you make a final decision. 

Remember, even if you complete your university placement year and you decide that the career you’ve chosen isn’t right, it’s going to be okay! There is always time to re-direct and choose a different career that’s suited to your personality and skills. Don’t be afraid to explore other options. 

 

Here at iQ, we know how important your university placement year is for you. Our purpose-built accommodation across the UK is designed to help students thrive academically and have their best year yet. 

If you’re looking for student accommodation, visit our website to find available rooms. You can search by city, building or university, and select from several room types. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and chat with our friendly team. 

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Eve D

I'm the Copy and Content Manager at iQ, responsible for bringing you content to help you have your best year yet. I went to King's College and studied War there. My best year yet? Moving into a blue house in 2024. Home is where the heart is.