Placements to help get you hired

Real work experience, real pay packets

Going on a work placement during your degree makes you more employable

A work placement gives you the chance to step into a real workplace and experience what it's actually like to work in your chosen industry while you're still studying.

It's your opportunity to put what you've learned into practice, build your confidence, develop professional skills and gain experience that employers genuinely value.

Placements are at the very heart of our hands-on, work-based approach to higher education and we work with over 1,000 employers to help you make it happen.

The great news is that over 65% of our degrees feature a compulsory or optional placement and most are paid, so you have an income while studying. We also, quite uniquely, do not charge UK students on year long placements any tuition fees.

Read our FAQs

Students out in industry

Most of our students go on placement, either adding in a placement year or completing a few shorter placements to get a really-rounded experience in a range of settings. Discover some of their stories.

Knight Sedhain

International Tourism Management BA (Hons)

One of Knight’s proudest moments was working on the New Regenerative Tourism Strategy for Church Stretton, which led to a placement at Shropshire Hills National Landscape, where he combined tourism, conservation and accessibility.

During his placement, Knight supported the improvement of access and celebration of local heritage, which won him the 2025 national Tourism Management Institute Student Inspiration Award.

“It’s opened so many doors. It’s shown me that my ideas, and my voice, matter in this industry.”

Dominic Hanna

Sports Therapy BSc Hons

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

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

“This set me up brilliantly, as I’ve continued to work with them since graduation and also secured a role as a graduate sports therapist right here at UCB, where I work pitch side during fixtures at The Maltings.”

Tilly Warren

International Hospitality and Tourism Management FdA

After working as a character attendant on the Disney Cultural Exchange Program, Tilly secured a year-long placement at the Disney World resort in Florida.

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

As part of the Disney Academic Exchange Program, she'll be learning even more skills to begin a career in international hospitality and tourism.

Photo credit: Disney

Celtic Manor in south Wales takes many students on placement each year

A meaningful part of your learning

Our placements aren't simply an extra activity or something bolted onto your course.

They're a meaningful part of your learning, designed with employers to help you develop the skills and confidence that come from doing the job, not just studying it.

Many of our longer placements are paid, helping to reduce financial pressures. We also know that a long placement isn't the right option for everyone and can help you access employer experiences through shorter work placements, internships, industry projects, employer insight days and guest speakers.

By combining high-quality teaching with real industry experience, personalised support and opportunities that fit around different circumstances, we'll help you get the experience you need to succeed.

Find out what working in your field is really like
Build your professional network
Meet new people and develop your skills and confidence
Get to travel! We have helped secure exciting placements - and literally the stuff of dreams - everywhere from Wales to the US to the South Pole

How will I find a placement?

We have a dedicated team of Employability Tutors ready to help you find your placement, all with their own specialist subject areas.

Based in HIRED, they have lots of knowledge and experience to support you.

You can attend individual sessions and workshops to explore your options and the opportunities available.
You will be supported with your applications to employers.
You will have access to employers, including from overseas, who are looking for placement students and come to UCB to give presentations on what they can offer and are looking for. They often hold interviews with students the same day

You will also have a mentor to support you while on placement.

You can find HIRED on the ground floor of Baskerville House, which is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

Find out more

65%

OF OUR COURSES FEATURE A MANDATORY OR OPTIONAL PLACEMENT

1,000

Employer contacts to provide valuable placements and excellent careers guidance

£ 0

We don't charge our home students on year long placements any tuition fees

Placement FAQs

Do all UCB courses include a placement?

More than 65% of our degree courses include a placement, but the format varies. Some courses include longer industry placements lasting several months or even a year, while others incorporate shorter work-based experiences, with some requiring as little as 40 hours linked to a specific module. Whatever you study, we're committed to helping every student gain meaningful experience of their chosen industry.

Simply visit the course page and it will say in the overview box at the top if the course features an placement opportunity.

Explore our undergraduate courses

Explore our postgraduate courses

What if my course doesn't include a formal placement?

Not every course includes a placement as part of the curriculum, but every student has access to opportunities that build industry experience. This could include internships, work experience, employer insight days, guest speakers, networking events or part-time work, helping you graduate with valuable employer connections and practical skills.

What types of placements are available?

Placements vary depending on your course. Opportunities can range from shorter placements linked to academic modules to longer placements lasting three, six or 12 months with employers across a wide range of industries.

Are placements paid?

Many of our longer placements are paid, particularly those lasting between three months and a year. Whether a placement is paid depends on the employer, industry and course.

Does UCB charge tuition fees for a placement year?

No. We don’t charge a tuition fee for home (UK) students and international students pay a nominal £500 fee linked to the visa monitoring required. Most universities charge an average of 10-20% tuition fees for placement years.

Will I have to find my placement on my own?

No. Our dedicated employability and placements team supports students from the very beginning of their placement journey, helping you identify opportunities, prepare applications, succeed at interview and supporting you throughout your placement and your transition back to university afterwards.

What support is available before I apply?

Our team provides personalised support including:

CV and application advice
Interview preparation
Careers guidance
Employer events
Placement search support
One-to-one coaching

What happens while I'm on placement?

You'll continue to receive support from the university throughout your placement. Our team stays in touch with both you and your employer to help ensure you get the most from the experience.

What support is available when my placement ends?

Returning to university after working in industry can be a big transition. We'll help you reflect on your experience, identify the skills you've developed and make the most of them as you continue your studies and prepare for graduate employment.

What if I can't commit to a long placement?

We know a longer placement isn't possible for everyone. That's why we offer personalised support to help you gain meaningful industry experience in ways that fit around your circumstances, including shorter work experience opportunities, internships, employer projects and insight events.

Which industries can I gain experience in?

Our employer network spans a wide range of sectors including hospitality, business, construction, healthcare, education, tourism, engineering, sport, digital, food, creative industries and many more.

How do placements improve my employability?

Placements help you apply your learning in real workplaces while developing professional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership. They also strengthen your CV and help you build valuable industry contacts.

Can a placement lead to a job?

Yes. Many employers use placements to identify future talent, and students often receive graduate job offers or continue working with their placement employer after completing their degree.

What if I don't know what career I want yet?

That's completely normal. Industry experience is one of the best ways to explore different career paths, understand what roles suit you and build confidence before graduating.

Will I meet employers during my course?

Yes. Throughout your studies, you'll have opportunities to meet employers through guest lectures, networking events, careers fairs, employer presentations and industry projects, helping you build professional connections before you graduate.

Do postgraduates get to go on placement?

Yes, many of our full-time postgraduate courses have an optional placement of between three and six months after completion of the taught course, but before the dissertation.

Can international students access placements and work experience?

Yes. International students receive dedicated employability support to help them understand available opportunities and navigate the application process.

How early should I start thinking about placements?

The earlier, the better. Our employability team encourages students to start exploring opportunities from the beginning of their course, giving you plenty of time to build your CV and prepare for applications.

What if I need extra support finding experience?

Our support is personalised. We'll work with you to understand your career goals, circumstances and availability, helping you find opportunities that work for you, whether that's a formal placement or another form of industry engagement.

Why is employer experience important before graduating?

Employers consistently value candidates with practical experience. Gaining workplace exposure alongside your studies helps you graduate with greater confidence, stronger professional skills and a clearer understanding of your chosen industry.

Why does UCB place such an emphasis on work experience?

We believe that industry experience is one of the best ways to prepare students for successful careers. That's why we're committed to ensuring students across all courses have meaningful opportunities to engage with employers and develop workplace skills before they graduate.

What makes UCB's approach to placements different?

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we recognise that every student's journey is different. Whether your course includes a formal placement, a shorter work-based module or alternative industry experiences, our commitment is the same: to help every student access meaningful employer engagement and graduate ready for their career.

We can also help you secure part-time or voluntary work

This is supported by our Unitemps recruitment agency on campus, as well as through our online search tools and meeting organisations at our regular employability fairs.

To learn more about work opportunities, please email unitemps@ucb.ac.uk.

To find out more, visit us in the HIRED suite on the ground floor at Baskerville House or email us.

Email the team

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