business Undergraduate Business Placement Year
Make your degree work harder for you by choosing to do a Placement Year. Try out your dream career, turn lecture theory into real experience, boost your skills and graduate with a competitive edge.
What is a Placement Year?
Our undergraduate business degree include the option of a Placement Year in employment. Taking place in the third year of a four year degree, you’ll have the opportunity to find paid work, putting the learning of your first two years into practice. This will help you to develop and ehance real world skills that employers are looking for, setting you apart in the graduate job market.
Throughout your placement you will receive support and guidance from a Placement Coach who will review your progress and development.You'll also attend two preparatory workshops during your second year to help prepare you ahead of your Placement Year.
How do Placement Years work?
Our dedicated Business Employability Team are on hand to support you as you find and progress through your placement. Your working hours will be determined by your placement organisation, however, it should be between 18 hours and 35 hours per week for a minimum of 30 weeks.
The final assessment for your Placement Year will be a reflective presentation summarising your learning and experience.
Placement Years for International Students
Our Placement Year courses are open to everyone, including international students. It’s important to note that international students must hold the appropriate visa and right to work in the UK throughout their Placement Year before commencing the eligible course. Students cannot add the Placement Year after starting the course..
Please email our International office for specific advice and guidance at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of work will I do on a Placement Year?
During a placement year the type of work you will be engaged with will vary dependant on the organisation that you do the placement year with as well as the type of work you wish to be doing after graduation.
Some students have completed work in recruitment, marketing and business development to give but a few areas. You might find that you start in one area and transition into working on different projects as well gaining a wider skill set as well as finding new areas of interest to persue as a career after your placement.
Is work on a Placement Year paid?
Yes. During a placement you’re considered an employee of that organisation, subject to agreed terms and conditions laid out in your contract. You should be paid an agreed salary by your employer.
How do I find a placement opportunity?
Although you’re primarily responsible for finding a placement, you won’t be alone. You’ll have support from our experienced and knowledgeable Employability Team, as well as guidance from your Placement Tutor, to find a role that best suits your schedule and career goals.
What supervision and support will I be offered?
Your placement employer should provide an initial induction, training for the role and appropriate supervision. You’ll also receive supervision from your Placement Tutor who will review your progress and development, make action plans and provide support and guidance. Alongside this, you’ll have two preparatory workshops in your second year to help prepare you for the Placement Year.
What happens if I don’t find a suitable placement?
If you’re not successful in securing a placement by the deadline of 31 August in your second year of study, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course and enrol for your third and final year.
For full details on Undergraduate Placement Years, please see our Placement Year FAQs.