Why UCB partner values student placements | News

July 2026

Employer insight: LiveWell Health on the impact of UCB student placementshere

By Claire Huggins

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Read time: approx 7 mins

Students choosing a degree want confidence that it will lead to real employment. Yet many face the familiar ‘no job, no experience – no experience, no job’ paradox, where employers expect evidence of practical work experience before offering job opportunities.

At University College Birmingham, our work placements and employer partnerships give students the hands on experience that breaks this cycle.

One of those partners is LiveWell Health, a leading provider of clinical, corporate and sports therapy services. They are one of several employers we work with to secure valuable, practical experience for our Sports Therapy BSc (Hons) and Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) students.

We spoke to Founder and Managing Director of LiveWell Health, Steve Hartill, to get his take on the benefits of student placements and why they are so valuable for students and employers alike.

Steve Hartill, Founder and Managing Director of LiveWell Health

Employer partnership: LiveWell Health and UCB

Steve is clear about why taking on student placements benefits his business:

“Within LiveWell, placement students provide significant value across the organisation.
“They bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to learn, which has a positive impact on both our practitioners and clients.”

Operationally, students can expect to support clinical teams across private practice, corporate wellbeing programmes, sporting events and community initiatives. Commercially, placements help LiveWell identify future talent and maintain the high standards of service their reputation is founded on.

What UCB students bring to the workplace

Steve highlights the skills he values that UCB students demonstrate from day one:

“UCB students consistently demonstrate strong communication skills, professionalism, clinical reasoning and a willingness to take initiative.
“They show confidence without arrogance and are always keen to learn and develop further.”

Students turn up with a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and are expected to be able to apply this effectively in real workplace environments. It’s the ability to engage with clients, work within multidisciplinary teams and adapt quickly that sets them apart.

"Applicants who have spent time working in real clinical and professional environments understand client interaction, professional standards, teamwork and workplace expectations far more quickly."

Steve Hartill Founder and Managing Director of LiveWell Health

Workplace readiness: how UCB students compare

LiveWell works with placement students from universities across the UK at the same stage of their training.

Steve’s verdict:

“In my experience, UCB students consistently rank amongst the most capable and prepared. Their professionalism, work ethic and clinical knowledge are often beyond what we would normally expect.”

Students not only receive high quality training, but they’re also encouraged to develop the mindset required to succeed in practice, enhancing their ability to integrate into a working environment.

Why placement experience matters to employers

“Placement experience makes a huge difference when I’m recruiting,” says Steve.

“Applicants who have spent time working in real clinical and professional environments understand client interaction, professional standards, teamwork and workplace expectations far more quickly.”

Employers benefit from an accelerated integration period, allowing recruits to contribute meaningfully from an earlier stage. They also have confidence that the recruit has already demonstrated their abilities in a real world setting.

Recruitment advantage: why LiveWell health hires UCB graduates

Adaptability, reliability and communication are key transferable skills above and beyond the qualification, but a genuine enthusiasm for helping people improve their health and wellbeing also makes for a good cultural fit at LiveWell Health.

Steve treats a client in one of his clinics

“UCB students consistently demonstrate the qualities we look for in future practitioners,” explains Steve.

“Through placements, we have already seen them show a level of maturity and clinical thinking that gives us confidence they can transition successfully into employment.”

Placements with LiveWell give students the chance to perform in a real working environment either domestically or in a live event setting.

Advice to students considering a placement

When it comes to advising students on whether to take up a placement or not, Steve’s message is simple:

“Where the classroom provides knowledge, placements bring that knowledge to life. Placements are often the bridge between education and employment and can significantly enhance both your skills and future career prospects.

“I would strongly encourage every student to take advantage of placement opportunities wherever possible.”

Many employers, like LiveWell Health, value experience alongside education; students who have gone out and done more besides the mandatory course requirements, can be more attractive and valuable to an organisation.

Academic perspective: hands on learning as a defining UCB strength

UCB’s senior lecturer and programme lead for sports therapy, Gareth Bate, reinforces the importance of practical experience:

Gareth Bate, senior lecturer and programme lead for sports therapy

“Placements are vitally important in different ways, and they vary by course to ensure our students graduate as rounded, confident individuals, ready to make an impact in the workplace.

“Placement, work experience, volunteering, employer engagement – whatever name you give it, these are all opportunities for students to test different areas of their learning, and apply the skills learned to work out what they love doing.”

Placements give students unparalleled insight into what the job they’re training for is like on a day-by-day basis; they expand networks, build confidence and open doors to employment with previous graduates going on to work for LiveWell Health, Fitnniss - Wellbeing in Care and the City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club, amongst others.

Student insight: confidence through real world practice

Sports Therapy BSc (Hons) student, Marius-Florin Enache shared his feelings about his placement:

“Seeing and getting results in a live, real-life situation helped me to be more confident in my knowledge and the application of what I’ve learned so far.

“You learn to adapt and be more confident in making decisions for yourself.”

Why placement experience matters to students

Our dedicated team supports students in finding meaningful work experience and employment and is available up to five years after you graduate.

Over 65 per cent of our degree courses include access to structured work experience that vary in duration, whether that’s mandatory professional placements, paid opportunities or something more bespoke.

Placements provide opportunities to:

develop confidence
gain practical experience
build professional networks
better understand the realities of the career you want.

Sometimes these are high stress, fast-paced environments, that test you physically and mentally.

Some students discover areas of practice they had never previously considered, while others gain valuable clarity about the career path they want to pursue.

As Steve, Gareth and Marius demonstrate, real world experience remains one of the most powerful ways for students to stand out, grow professionally and move confidently towards employment.