What's a placement? A Guide for Students

Placements: Key Facts

Also known as an industrial placement or a year in industry, placements typically take place between your second and last year of university. They are often optional, but usually are a built-in feature of a course. You may have applied through UCAS for a 4-year degree with professional experience: that means it includes the placement!

They last anywhere between 5 and 13 months, but most are strictly 12 months long. The length of this scheme means that you'll gain full exposure to the company, its culture and the industry you're working in. You'll be treated like any other full-time employee and will be paid a yearly salary.

During your placement year, you’ll develop a solid understanding of the industry you're working in and build transferable skills that’ll set you up for life - whatever career you decide to pursue. These can include:

• Commercial awareness

• Dealing with conflict

• An ability to be proactive

• Managing up

• Resilience

Plus, adding an industrial placement to your CV will go a long way in helping you secure a graduate job after university.

Another thing to note is that many universities require students to complete a small module of study or a piece of coursework whilst on placement in order to pass. It will be assessed like any other work you submit. Be sure to talk to your careers department to find out the specifics for your university.

Is it worth doing a placement year?

Absolutely, yes! Here’s why.

Experience for your CV

With around 140 applicants per job, securing a graduate role is competitive AF. A placement will give you the deep experience employers really value, setting you apart from those without one.

Better graduate job prospects

Companies often hire former placement students and interns as graduates because they already have the skills and familiarity with the workplace. In fact, 46% of placement students at our top student employers are offered graduate jobs.

Gain practical experience

A placement will give you hands-on experience through upskilling. In turn, this will boost your confidence in the professional world. Combine this with everything you’ve learned at university and bam: you’re job-ready. This will work wonders for the graduate job hunt, especially in your interview skills.

Build industry contacts

Even if a placement doesn’t directly lead to a job, you’ll build valuable professional contacts. You’re there for a whole year, so you’ll have plenty of time to impress various people and gain references for future opportunities.

What's the difference between a placement and an internship?

Internships are another type of work experience for university students that you may have heard of. Below, we highlight the key differences between internships and placements:

For more information about this shorter work experience scheme, read our guide to internships by clicking below.

We host thousands of placement reviews on our website, written by real students who have worked at employers nationwide.

Here's what one placement student thought about their time at Williams Racing:

Do you get paid on a placement year?

YES! A placement student will receive a salary and other perks and benefits for the duration of their programme. The typical salary is between £18,000 and £24,000 per year, but there are many opportunities available on Higherin that pay even higher.

How much you are paid will depend on the type of industrial placement, the length of time you work for and where the company is located.

For example, the average salary for placement students across the UK is just over £20,300 a year, whereas the average placement salary in London is almost £22,000. This salary should cover your living costs and leave you some left for fun!

Find out more in our latest guide to the Highest-Paid Placements.

You should also consider how you'll manage your student finances whilst on placement. Many universities require you to still pay a small fee to keep your records on their books.

How do I find a placement?

You can find work experience almost anywhere in the UK; from Bristol to Glasgow. There are so many ways to find a placement! Here are some of the best ways to start:

Ask yourself questions

A good place to start is to think about what you actually want from a placement.

• Do you want to move to a new city?

• Do you want to try a new section of the sector you’re studying in?

• Do you want to try a completely different industry?

• Is there a specific company you’re interested in working for?

Use the right job boards

Websites like Higherin make it easy to find placements. You can filter by location, employer, or industry to find your perfect match. Easy, right?

Speak to your university's careers service

Don’t neglect the careers advisors! They are an integral part of the job hunt and often know about placements all over the country, even some that might not be advertised yet 😉.

They can also support with applications and interviews.

How to apply for a placement

There’s a lot to do, but don’t worry! There are a few simple ways to manage the process.

• Perfect your CV - Make sure your placement CV is clear and highlights your best skills for the role. Tailor it to show why you’re the right fit.

• Apply early - The best time to apply is right at the beginning of your second year. Most employers start advertising their jobs from September, and may close applications early if they receive too many! Avoid disappointment and get your application in as soon as possible.

We’ve put together an Ultimate Placement Timeline packed with key dates and all the application advice you could ever want. The best part? It’s free!