Placements
In today’s competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. An industrial work placement is a valuable addition to your education. You’ll gain vital real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crowd and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
We are one of a few universities in the UK to offer work placements at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Students who impress their employers whilst on placement are regularly offered jobs at the end of their studies.
Benefits of taking a work placement:
- gain valuable first-hand experience of your field
- make professional contacts
- greatly enhance your employability prospects
- have a chance to earn a salary in the range of £10,000 to £35,000
- get the opportunity to work abroad.
Undergraduates
We value the benefits of obtaining and developing key skills in your subject area. All of our courses are designed with this in mind.
If you are studying for a full-time undergraduate degree in Biosciences, Chemistry, Physics, Computing, Mathematics or Forensic Science, you will be actively encouraged to take a 12-month work placement between the second and third year of study. You can gain a University Diploma in Professional Practice when you complete your industrial placement.
You won’t have to pay any tuition fees for the placement year. That means you’ll pay the same tuition fees as someone on a three year course.
Computing students have the opportunity to undertake an eSkills internship - an industry-backed student placement programme designed to boost the employability of graduates. Find out more at eskills.
For those studying Sport Science we offer the opportunity to take part in a range of vocationally relevant practical experiences, business projects, and shorter placements alongside your academic study.
Postgraduate
If you are studying for a full-time postgraduate degree in Chemistry or Computing, you can opt to take a 12-month work placement following the completion of the taught modules and prior to beginning your research project.
Industry links with the UK and abroad
Our strong links with regional, national and international companies allow us to offer students excellent work placement opportunities with prospective employers. We aim to make placements as wide and varied as possible, in order to give our students the best opportunity to put their theoretical experience into practice.
Here are just a few of the companies that support the scheme: 3M, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, NHS, Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser and Schlumberger.
Download a complete list of our placement partners 
Further information can be found in Your Guide to the Benefits of a Sandwich Placement Year.
Placements team
The School has a dedicated placement team that will help you find and apply for positions that will benefit your study. They will also provide support while you are in your place or work, whether that is home or abroad.
Contact the placement team for further information.
