Gain up to 12 months of professional, full-time experience with an employer, applying MSc theory to real-world practice.
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business Postgraduate Business Professional Practice Year
The Postgraduate Business Professional Practice Year (PPY) empowers you to bring business theory to life. You’ll gain up to 12 months of real-world experience, build career-ready skills, and boost your future employability.
What is a Professional Practice Year?
Taking place in the year following the completion of a master’s programme, a Professional Practice Year gives you the chance to gain industry-relevant experience directly linked to your study. It connects academic theory with business practice and supports the development of professional skills to enhance your career prospects.
What work counts towards a Professional Practice Year?
You can choose between an academic dissertation, business or consultancy project, business plan or paid placement in industry to complete your Professional Practice Year, depending on which is best suited to your future career path.
Here are the options in more detail:
- Academic Dissertation: Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant academic writing and identify a gap in the literature which requires research. Design, develop and engage in research aimed at addressing the identified gap and provide your findings and recommendations.
- Business Project: Identify and assess a business or industry problem, or market gap, and conduct relevant research on how to address the issue. Identify the most appropriate methods of data collection, analysis and evaluation, with the purpose of formulating a business project.
- Consultancy Project: Work with a live project to identify a problem/opportunity requiring consultancy services. Identify the most appropriate consultancy framework, construct the approach, recommend appropriate outcomes and evaluate the long-term impact for the client and their industry.
- Business Plan: Identify a gap in the market for a new product/service, either for a start-up company or as an addition to an existing company’s portfolio of products/services. Formulate a business plan for the new product/service and include the relevant external and internal analysis.
- Paid Placement in Industry: Secure a one-year, paid work-placement with a company in an industry that is of particular interest to you and your future professional development plans.
All of these options are aimed at enhancing your employability, through honing and improving the skills you’ll have started to develop during the academic year of your two-year course.
How does it work?
Each option within the Professional Practice Year has been designed to build your practical skills and prepare you for your future career. Whether you choose an academic route or a paid placement, you’ll receive tailored support throughout the year.
For academic routes (Dissertation, Business Project, Consultancy project or Business Plan):
- You’ll be supported by a designated supervisor who will guide you in planning, developing and completing your project.
- In term one you’ll attend tailored workshops covering research and analysis skills.
- In terms two and three you’ll work closely with your supervisor through agreed sessions to complete your end-of-year assessment.
For the paid placement route:
- You’ll secure your own placement with guidance and support from our Employability and Placements Team.
- You’ll be employed full-time for a minimum of 30 hours per week, for at least 36 weeks.
- You’ll receive monthly coaching sessions with a Placement Lecturer to support skills development.
- You’ll remain one of our students, with full access to student support throughout.
Key Facts
- Duration: Two years. Year one – MSc. Year two – Professional Practice Year.
- Options: Paid placement, academic dissertation, business project, consultancy project, or business plan.
- Hours (for paid placement): Minimum 30 hours per week, for at least 36 weeks.
- Support: Employability workshops, one-to-one supervisor, and guidance from our Placements Team.
What to do next?
For practical next steps, explore the information below on the application process, finances, and eligibility requirements.
How to apply
You can apply now through our registration portal or contact [email protected] for specific advice and guidance.
For full details on securing a Postgraduate Placement Year as one of the options available, please see our FAQs for Placements.
How much does a master's with a PPY cost?
Please take a look at our fee schedule for specific details on the cost of our master’s with a PPY.
You can find general information and advice on postgraduate fees and funding on our dedicated hub. We also offer a range of scholarships and bursaries. If you're an international student be sure to check our international business scholarships and bursaries.
Who can apply?
Our Professional Practice Year courses are open to everyone, whether you’re a UK or international student. It’s important to note that international students must hold the appropriate visa and right to work in the United Kingdom throughout their Professional Practice Year, before commencing the eligible course.
Students must select the duration of the master's programme at the outset in order to benefit from the full two year professional practice programme.