ENGINEERING PLACEMENTS
Thinking about a career in engineering? Giving you the experience, connections and confidence to hit the ground running after university, year-long placements are a game changer in this industry.
Swapping lectures for projects, you’ll spend a year in the shoes of an engineer - taking on real responsibilities, working on big projects and learning from the pros - all while getting paid. Here are some key facts:
DURATION: 10 months+ | FOR: 2nd & 3rd years | AVG SALARY: Just over £20,700 | AVG RATING: 4.5/5 | WHEN TO APPLY: Sep-Jan
Read on to find out what engineering placements are all about, and how to land one.
What are engineering placements?
An engineering placement is a golden opportunity to get hands-on experience and figure out what you want from your career, before you graduate.
These structured programmes typically allow you to rotate through a number of teams - both technical and non-technical - to figure out where your strengths and interests lie.
Most placements are designed for second-year students, who spend their third year of university working in the industry before returning for a final year of studying. If your course doesn’t offer one, look for shorter placements or engineering internships to gain experience alongside your studies.
Wondering what engineering placement students do?
I’m working in the Tunnels team in the Reading office, and I’ve had the opportunity to work as part of the design team for both small and big projects as well as gaining exposure into project management by working on the project management team for HS2. INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT STUDENT, MOTT MACDONALD
This year at Cummins has been by far the most developmental year for me during university. I’ve developed my technical knowledge on engines and turbochargers and also improved my handling of programs like MATLAB, ANSYS CFD and Creo. However, most importantly, I got the opportunity to engage with and understand a real engineering environment. ENGINEERING PLACEMENT STUDENT, CUMMINS
Is it worth doing an engineering placement?
A placement isn’t just a year in industry - it’s your chance to put theory into practice, work on projects with real impact and set yourself up for career success. Here’s why it’s worth it:
SEE THE INDUSTRY IN ACTION
Step beyond the textbooks and into real-world challenges. Whether it’s designing infrastructure, building software or tackling sustainability, you’ll see exactly how engineering shapes the world.
LEVEL UP WITH SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE
A placement challenges you to think critically, solve problems and collaborate like a pro - transforming you into a capable engineer with the skills and experience to back yourself.
LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS
Work alongside experienced engineers who value you and your development, while building lifelong professional connections that could unlock future opportunities.
SUPERCHARGE YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Every year, around 46% of placement students at The Top 100 Student Employers are offered graduate jobs. Impress on yours, and you could walk straight into full-time employment after university.
Read our Guide to Placements to find out more.
Which companies could I work for?
According to the honest reviews left by university students on Higherin, these employers run some of the best engineering placements for students and recent graduates in the UK.
How much do engineering placements pay?
One of the biggest perks of doing a placement? You’ll get paid to get ahead in your career.
What you make will depend on the company and location you work in, but placement salaries are typically in line with entry-level positions and should support your living costs.
Based on the student-written reviews on Higherin, placement students at engineering companies can expect to earn an average salary of £20,700 a year - that’s around £1,500 a month. You'll also be applicable for employee benefits, such as sick pay and paid holiday.
And the earning potential doesn’t stop there. Many placement students go on to secure graduate roles, where annual salaries can reach upwards of £30,000 to £35,000.
How to get an engineering placement
There are heaps and heaps of organisations offering engineering placements, so start by thinking about what’s important to you and what you want to get out of your year.
Do you want to move to a new city? Work on high-profile projects? Make a big impact in a small team? Filter your search by location, employer or industry to find a role that fits you now:
Top Application Tips
Apply early - Most placements go live in September - November and employers may close applications before the deadline if they receive too many, so don’t miss out!
Do your research - You’ll be spending a whole year with the company that hires you, so it’s more important than ever to properly research them before applying.
Be yourself - Employers look for people they can see themselves working with long-term, so always bring your authentic self to interviews and assessment centres.
When applying for the role, show your passion for engineering. A good way of doing that is to create a portfolio and send it with your application. Don’t be afraid to talk about your side projects, as well as your interest in the subject. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PLACEMENT STUDENT, BAT
Search for an Engineering Placement Year
Register Your Interest - Placement Year (Undergraduates UK)
at Babcock International Group
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - Structural and Bridge Engineer Placement
at Arcadis
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - Software Engineer 12-Month Industrial Placement 2026
at Autodesk
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - Network Rail UK Placements 2026
at Network Rail
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - Centrica UK Industrial Placement Programme 2026
at Centrica
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Leicester, Windsor
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