Placements as Part of Your Studies

Some programmes include the option for students to complete a placement as a part of their studies. In addition to the option of a placement, many courses will include elements of work-based learning where students can apply their skills and knowledge to challenges faced by real companies or organisations. All of these opportunity types connect students with potential future employers and provide valuable insights into a range of organisations, sectors and roles to help you make informed career decisions.

Types of placements and work-based learning you might find as part of your studies

A range of courses offer the opportunity to gain a placement as part of your course. Placements vary in length, from a few weeks to a full placement year.
The types of placement and work-based learning opportunities available to you will depend on your programme of study.
A number of postgraduate taught programmes include optional courses with a placement element, or the option to complete a placement and assessment as an alternative to a dissertation. Check with your programme or course coordinator to find out what options are available to you.
A number of undergraduate degree programmes include optional courses with a placement element. Placement courses are usually available at level 3 or level 4. Some placement courses involve a short placement experience usually up to two months, and may be completed part time during the semester, or full time during the vacation. A small number of programmes have the option of a one year placement which is an additional year of study.
Some placement courses will require you to find your own placement. See the section on the right to find out what support is available to help you find your own placement.

Work-based and work-related learning opportunities will be outlined in the relevant course description, so look out for these types of options within the course catalogue .

Courses which include placements

Here is a list of courses which currently offer industrial placements,. Find out more about undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses on our website.

Biochemistry with Industrial Placement
Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy)
Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) with Industrial Placement
Biomedical Sciences (Developmental Biology) with Industrial Placement
Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Biology) with Industrial Placement
Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology) with Industrial Placement
Biomedical Sciences (Physiology) with Industrial Placement
Biotechnology (Applied Molecular Biology) with Industrial Placement
Chemistry (5 years)
Computing Science with Industrial Placement
Environmental Chemistry (5 years)
Exercise and Health Science with Industrial Placement
Genetics (Immunology) with Industrial Placement
Genetics with Industrial Placement
Human Embryology and Developmental Biology with Industrial Placement
Immunology and Pharmacology with Industrial Placement
Immunology with Industrial Placement
International Business (5 years)
Microbiology with Industrial Placement
Molecular Biology with Industrial Placement
Neuroscience with Psychology with Industrial Placement
Pharmacology with Industrial Placement
Physiology with Industrial Placement
Sports and Exercise Science with Industrial Placement

Centrally available courses

Centrally available courses which include volunteering, part-time work, placements or work-based learning experiences:

ED1521: Learning from work (level 1 course)
PD2503: Work-based learning - team projects with employer partners (level 2 course)
ED3537: Employer-led interdisciplinary project (level 3 course)

Find out more about these courses in the course catalogue .

International Placements

Some courses have established partnerships with international employers to support students finding placements abroad. Alternatively, you can find out more about international work experience options through our Go Abroad Team.

Find out more