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Masters Placement Guide

Build your business with fresh talent from NTU. Our postgraduate industry placements connect employers with ambitious MSc and MBA students who can make a positive impact to your business. Email talent@ntu.ac.uk for more information.

Introduction

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has a proud history of delivering industry-focused courses that prepare students for life beyond lectures. The Employability Team is committed to understanding the needs of your business and providing tailored support and cost-effective solutions that suit you.

Mutual benefits for placement providers and students are paramount. We take time to ensure that the placement experience for all our students will be suitable, beneficial and rewarding, and you have the opportunity for high-calibre contribution, fresh ideas and to see what an NTU graduate of the future could offer.

We have high expectations of our placement students, but we also believe that employers who provide close supervision and support will get the best from them. We encourage you to fully integrate the student into your business and treat them like any other employee.

We are looking for employers that are interested in accessing our talent and building a pipeline for the future.

Masters Industry Placements

Nottingham Business School (NBS) and the School of Science and Technology (SST) have postgraduate students studying degrees that include an industry placement. The postgraduate placements work in a similar way to an undergraduate placement.

MSc: As with undergraduate placements, we would recommend that our MSc students undertake roles at professional entry level, either in a project-based role or an existing hands-on role. The students will usually bring some experience of the workplace as well as academic knowledge at a higher level.

MBA: An MBA is an internationally-recognised degree designed to develop the skills required for careers in business and management. Students will have a minimum of 3 years’ work experience. These students can be highly skilled but can also apply for graduate level roles.

Students on courses with an embedded placement are required to complete a minimum of 36 weeks; however, all students can work for a full 12 months. Science and Technology Masters students can start their placements from June - September or January (dependent on course).

Courses

Computer Science
  • MSc Artificial Intelligence
  • MSc Cloud & Enterprise Computing
  • MSc Computer Science
  • MSc Cyber Security
  • MSc Data Science
  • MSc Software Engineering
  • MSc Robotics & Intelligent Systems
Chemistry
  • MSc Chemistry
Biosciences
  • MSc Biomedical Science
  • MSc Biotechnology
  • MSc Molecular Cell Biology
  • MSc Molecular Microbiology
  • MSc Neuropharmacology
  • MSc Pharmacology
Engineering
  • MSc Engineering (Electronics)
  • MSc Engineering Management
  • MSc Medical Engineering
  • MSc Sustainable Engineering: Energy

Example Career Paths

Tech Roles
  • Systems Analyst
  • Software Engineer
  • Service Desk Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Software Developer
Scientific Roles
  • Lab Technician
  • Scientist
  • Research Assistant
  • Pharmacy Dispenser
  • Processor
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Medical Assistant
  • Associate Practitioner
  • Quality Control

Students on courses with an embedded placement are required to complete a minimum of 36 weeks; however, all students can work for a full 12 months. Nottingham Business School Masters students can start their placements from July until the end of September.

Courses

Business and Management
  • MSc Management
  • MSc Management & Finance
  • MSc Management & Global Supply Chain Management
  • MSc Management & International Business
  • MSc Management & Marketing
Economics
  • MSc Economics
Marketing
  • MSc Digital Marketing
  • MSc Branding & Advertising
  • MSc Marketing
  • MSc Marketing & Brand Management
  • MSc Advertising & Marketing Communications
  • MSc Marketing & Data Analytics
Accounting and Finance
  • MSc Finance & Investment Banking
  • MSc Finance
  • MSc Finance & Accounting
Human Resources
  • MSc Human Resources Management
Other courses
  • MSc Project Management
  • MSc Management & Business Analytics
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Example Career Paths

Human Resources
  • HR Advisor
  • HR Coordinator
  • HR Assistant
  • HR Manager
  • Recruitment Officer
  • Resourcing Officer
  • People Administrator
Marketing and Communications
  • Marketing Executive
  • Digital Marketing Executive
  • PR & Communications Executive
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Content Creator
  • Campaign Analyst
  • Brand Specialist
Corporate Operations
  • Business Development
  • Business Analyst
  • Sales Executive
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Logistics Officer
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Project Management
  • Operations Manager
Finance
  • Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Assistant Finance Manager
  • Data Analyst
  • Claims Manager
  • Auditor
  • Payroll
  • Accounts Assistant
  • Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable
  • Credit Control

FAQs

Students on a course with an embedded placement are required to complete a minimum of 36 weeks; however all students can work for a full 12 months.

SST Student Placements

Placements can start:

  • From June to September or January (dependent on course)

NBS Student Placements

Placements can start:

  • From July until the end of September

International students and graduates bring valuable skills, fresh perspectives, and global experience to the workplace. Those studying in the UK on a Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during vacations or after completing their course.

After graduation, employers can continue to benefit from their talent through the Graduate Route, which allows international graduates to work in the UK for up to two years (three for PhD graduates) without sponsorship. For longer-term roles, organisations can offer sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route. Employers simply need to complete standard right-to-work checks and ensure visa conditions are met.

See Employ our International Talent for more information.

If you take on a masters placement student, you will offer them a contract of employment. They will become a member of staff. Placements should be paid minimum National Living Wage, however in a competitive market this might depend on industry and technical skills required. You will also need to consider the onboarding costs of your new member of staff.

We would recommend our postgraduate placement students are employed on a temporary or fixed term contract for the duration of the placement.

The placement student will effectively become a member of your team so we suggest you go through the normal onboarding process as you would for all staff. Placement students will benefit from structure and clarity on expectations. We would suggest:

  • We would recommend our postgraduate placement students are employed on a temporary or fixed term contract for the duration of the placement.
  • The placement student will effectively become a member of your team so we suggest you go through the normal onboarding process as you would for all staff. Placement students will benefit from structure and clarity on expectations. We would suggest:
  • Early in the placement, set clear aims and objectives with the student and establish a good two-way communication
  • Facilitate integration in the team and organisation
  • Delegate day to day supervision to another staff member (the Placement Provider Supervisor)
  • Facilitate visit from NTU Placement Contact Tutors
  • Meet regularly to monitor progress and discuss future development
  • Offer an appraisal or structured feedback on completion of the placement.

You should also have Employer Liability Insurance, be able to provide a safe environment for students and ensure all normal risk assessments have been done as you would for all members of staff.

Whatever stage you are at in your placement process our team are here to help you. Whether you are ready to go with a job specification or you would like some finer details, the team will be on hand to answer any queries you may have, and to provide support to both you and the student throughout the placement experience.