What's a placement? A Guide for Students

How does a placement work?

Also known as an industrial placement or a year in industry, placements typically take place between your second and last year of university.

They can be optional, but are usually 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 five and 13 months, but most are strictly 12 months long. A full year means you'll get a full look into the company, its culture and the industry you're working in. You'll be treated like any other full-time employee and be paid a yearly salary.

During your placement, 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.

Many universities require you to complete a small module of study or a piece of coursework whilst on placement to pass. It will be assessed like any other work you submit. Be sure to talk to your careers department or course leader to find out the specifics.

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 gives you the deep experience employers really value, setting you apart from those without it.

Better graduate job prospects

Companies often hire former placement students and interns as graduates because they already have the skills and know 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, which basically boosts 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.

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to work for a major record label? Here’s what your day could look like:

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. Here are the key differences you need to know between internships and placements:

Want to know more? Read our full guide to internships by clicking below.

So, what do students actually think about their placement years? We host thousands of previews, written by real students who have done real work experience at employers across the UK.

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 more.

How much you earn depends on the type of industrial placement, the length of time you work for and where the company is located.

For example, placement years at London-based companies pay a lot more than employers based outside the capital. 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.

It’s also worth thinking about how you’ll manage your finances while on placement. Many universities require you to still pay a small fee to keep your records on their books. We’ve put together a guide to help you, click below:

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. If you have an account with us, you can actually save the jobs you’re interested in, too. Easy, right?

Speak to your university's careers service

Don’t neglect the careers advisors! They’re a really important 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 CV is clear and highlights your best skills for the role. Tailor it to show why you’re the right fit. For more tips, check out our placement CV guide. We’ve also put together our ultimate application toolkit that covers everything from CV writing to acing psychometric tests.

Practice interview questions

Get your family and friends to help you practice those questions! It’s a great way to get you to remember key points you’d like to mention and get in the flow of interviewing. If you’re looking for more help with your interviews, download our free interview toolkit. It’s got everything you need to help you feel confident.

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. So it’s worth getting your applications 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!