Mickey Mouse to moon-based cuisine: Placement roundup 2026 | News

June 2026

Mickey Mouse to moon-based cuisine: Bumper placement roundup 2026

By Sean Madden

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Placements are at the heart of our hands-on, work-based approach to education. Many students choose to study at University College Birmingham knowing they'll benefit from our combination of award-winning support, brilliant teaching, and the chance to gain real-world industry experience.

Over the last year, students across a range of different courses have ventured out into the world of work, gaining experience and knowledge of employment, but also growing in confidence as they are able to put their theory into practice.

Many have found their placements through HIRED, our dedicated and impartial service designed to help you find the perfect role, and propel you into your dream future career.

From hospitality to finance, and sport to nutrition, read on to find out more about where in the world our students have been over the past 12 months, and what lies ahead in their exciting futures.

When you wish upon a star...

Tilly is already very familiar with the Magic Kingdom, having worked as a character attendant on the Disney Cultural Exchange Program.

Looking after beloved favourites including Cinderella and Aurora, she was responsible for making sure guests were fully prepared before meeting the princesses.

This summer, Tilly is excited to be heading back to Disney World resort in Florida for her placement year. As part of the Disney Academic Exchange Program, she'll once again be working as a character attendant and helping thousands of people's dreams come true.

Good luck, Tilly!

Shooting for the moon

Food and Nutrition student Roberto completed his placement in a lab at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus.

During this time, he met many other students from around the world, and worked on a fascinating project related to the taste of drinks in space travel.

The placement gave him experience in data analysis and convention attendance, and set him on a journey to his current role on a project designing controlled agriculture for travel to The Moon and Mars!

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Counting on her future

Luisa was drawn to UCB by the opportunity to both study and experience the world of work in one of the UK's largest and most varied and diverse cities.

Relishing the chance to put her knowledge to the test, she took on a placement at SM Accounting in the city centre, and felt the hands-on exposure to accounting practices, client handling, and teamwork sharpened her technical knowledge while helping her to develop from a personal perspective.

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A match made in heaven

Dominic was playing for the UCB basketball team when HIRED helped to find him the perfect placement.

As a sports fanatic and sports therapy students, he was thrilled to be able to combine his passions with work at Birmingham Rockets Basketball club.

Graduation and a job as a therapist in the care sector hasn't stopped Dom's involvement with the club, and he still works in a paid capacity offering support to the men's, women's, and youth teams.

Gaining experience in elegance

Junessa completed her placement year at Coworth Park, a luxury country house hotel within the prestigious Dorchester Collection. She came across the opportunity with the support of the HIRED team, alongside guidance from placement mentors.

She feels that working as a food and beverage trainee allowed her to gain hands-on experience in luxury hospitality, improve her communication and customer service skills, and learn how to work confidently under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

If you can dream it, you can do it

While he hasn't yet embarked on his placement, Santiago is thrilled to have been accepted onto the Disney International Academic Program, which will see him head to Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida for a year from July.

He feels HIRED was instrumental in helping him secure his dream placement, and is looking forward to growing in confidence and experience with exposure at one of the industry's biggest names.

Have an amazing time, Santiago!

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