A placement year (also known as a “sandwich year”) is a work experience program offered by universities to undergraduate (and sometimes postgraduate students). A placement year involves taking a year off from academic studies to work in a professional setting and gain practical experience in your chosen field.
When do I do a placement year?
Placement years normally take place in your third year, often meaning three-year courses are extended to four years. After completing your second year, you work for an employer before returning to university for your final year of study.
This means they normally run from July through to September of the next academic year as the term starts again. However, the length can vary between nine and thirteen months. However, the timing can vary depending on the institution and the industry.
You should also know that you remain a student at your university during your placement. You will generally be given one core assignment and progress reports to complete and normally have a placement tutor for these.
Advantages of doing a placement year
Increases employability
A recent study found that almost two-thirds of employers said that when reviewing applications, having experience is the most important asset for a candidate.
On top of this, the same study found that more than two-thirds of employers think candidates put too much emphasis on qualifications and not enough on experience. A large proportion of graduates will leave university with either limited experience of the world of work or no experience relevant to their degree.
Graduate employers are looking for evidence of key employability skills such as communication, teamwork, the ability to use initiative and more. Completing a placement year can help you to develop these skills.
Gives you an idea of what to do after uni
If you did work experience at secondary school or an internship while studying, either of these will give you some sense of the experience of a placement year.
During an internship or work experience, you are likely to be given some training and a taste of the working life of an industry. However, a work placement puts you in the heart of a company’s workings with a greater amount of responsibility.
If you choose to undertake a placement year you will be placed in a role that is very similar to a graduate-level job and will work similar hours to those you would expect in one. This is important as it lets you make an informed decision about if this is the career you want, or if you would rather do another job after uni.
While you will have to apply for internships and positions are often competitive, a placement year is an agreement with a company to employ you for a year.
Helps develop a network of contacts
You can also use your placement year to build connections within the business or industry, making it easier to find a job, as employers are more likely to hire someone they already know about and have worked with than someone they don’t know who applied for the same position. Even if your contacts don’t have a job immediately available, they can provide a good reference, and point you in the right direction.
Experience living and working elsewhere
During your working career, it is likely that at some point you will have to move due to work. By doing a placement year you will be more prepared for this as you will already have experience working somewhere away from both home and university.
This makes you more employable as you can apply for jobs that are further away from your current address and adapt to your new surroundings quicker than you would have done otherwise.
Disadvantages of doing a placement year
Disruption to university life
While doing a placement year is certainly useful, it is also important to keep in mind that doing so will likely cause you to have less contact with your friends, especially if you do your placement year abroad. While you can definitely still talk to them over text or social media, you may prefer to spend time with them in person.
When you finish your placement year, you will also have to readapt to university life. This will include getting used to uni work again, such as writing essays, spending time in a lab and attending lectures, rather than the work you were doing for your placement.
Time-consuming application process
While placement years are worthwhile, they can be very difficult to apply for. This is because the application process will have multiple stages. This can include filling out an online application or completing online tests.
You will also likely be required to submit a video interview or complete a telephone interview, and then attend an assessment centre or final stage interview. The process can be quite time-consuming so you should send off fewer high-quality applications rather than lots of low-quality ones.
It is important to note however that these are relatively minor disadvantages and are worth it when compared to the advantages you gain from doing a placement year.
How to apply for placements
One of the first steps to a year in industry should be contacting your tutor to look into any possible course requirements for placement opportunities. A lot of employers will start advertising their vacancies online in the autumn term so it is a good idea to look around early in the year.
Large graduate recruiters tend to start recruitment early, so it’s worth checking deadlines if you have your heart set on a specific company. However, some employers will advertise placement opportunities until the end of September so you may still be able to do one if you decide to later in the year. Some courses may also include a placement in which the organisation is allocated to you automatically.
Tips for applying for a placement year
Get your application done early
Most placement years will have a deadline for applications relatively early into the year. By applying early, you can avoid having to do your application at the same time as your uni deadlines start adding up. This means you can take more time on it, making it as good as possible before sending it off.
Interview practice
If your initial application is successful you will be invited for an interview with someone from the place you are applying to. It’s important to practice for this interview by preparing answers for any common questions you expect to come up using the STAR technique. Your uni will most likely have someone you can practice interviews with and receive feedback for improvement.
Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities look good on your application as they can be used to showcase skills that would be useful during your placement year. For instance, volunteering would stand out on an application for a placement at a charity. Similarly, tutoring would look great on an application for a placement at a school.
FAQs
Do you still get a student loan on a placement year?
It is best to check with your university to see if you will be required to pay tuition fees during your placement year. You may be able to receive a maintenance loan or grant.
When do I apply for a placement year?
You should apply for a placement year early into the year. Each placement will have its own deadline for applications so you should find the deadline for the placement you want as early as possible.
Do you get paid for a placement year?
Placement years are typically paid positions, although the level of pay can vary depending on the industry and the employer.
You can expect to be paid between £12,000 and £18,000. The average pay will vary based on the sector you work in.
Additionally, many companies offer graduates positions on successfully completing their placement and may even offer to cover tuition fees for your final year.
Do you pay tuition fees for a placement year?
You can expect to pay half your normal tuition fees for your placement year, although some universities don’t charge students on placement any fees. Be sure to ask your supervisor if you are unsure.
What if I don’t enjoy my placement year?
If you don’t enjoy your placement year you are safe because you know that you will go back to uni at the end. This can still be a valuable experience, as you will now know that you will not enjoy a career in the field in which you did your placement year.
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