Placements and professional experience
Why just learn it, when you can do it?
Many of our undergraduate courses include an optional placement year. You’ll be able to showcase your talents in an industry relevant to your ARU degree, while enhancing your career prospects.
Some of our postgraduate degrees offer the option to study an extended two-year course, with Professional Experience modules in Year 2. Evidence of professional experience is often cited by employers as a critical part of candidates' CVs.
Read more about gaining work experience as an undergraduate or Masters student.
Benefits of a placement year
Completing a placement improves your chances of securing a graduate role, with employers reporting that they rehired an average of 52% of their interns and 43% of their summer placement students.*
For undergraduate students at ARU, the placement year takes place during your studies. You’ll gain a good understanding of the working environment, with the advantage of being paid for many placement opportunities. The skills, knowledge and experience you gain will be invaluable in your future career.
To find out about the latest opportunities, contact our Placements team: [email protected].
By doing a placement year you can:
- receive support through the whole process from ARU’s dedicated Placements Team
- expand your network and connections
- gain a professional reference
- adjust to professional life more easily once you graduate
- develop your transferable skills and employability
- potentially save money for your final year: our students on paid placements earn an average of £18,000 per annum.
"I have loved every second of my placement year and hope to return to the same company once I graduate."
How do I find a placement?
Our Placements Team is here to help you navigate the job market and secure a placement.
You apply for a placement in the same way you'd apply for any job, by submitting your CV and attending an interview.
We have close links with a range of employers – from smaller local businesses through to global organisations – and work to match their vacancies to our students.
We can also help with:
- tailoring your CV
- mock interviews
- confidence building
- careers fairs
- speed networking events.
Last year 92% of undergraduate students who secured a year-long placement were supported by our Placements Team.
While we can't guarantee a placement, as we rely heavily on market availability and on your own enthusiasm and commitment, we can guarantee that we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
For undergraduate placements starting in September, proposals must be submitted by 1 August.
For undergraduate placements starting in January, proposals must be submitted by 1 December.
Find courses with placement years.
"The help and support from the Placements Team is absolutely incredible. They're always checking how you're getting on and help with preparations for interviews. The team is amazing."
Find out more
Contact us to learn more about studying on a placement course, or employing one of our students. Email [email protected].
You may also be interested in studying for a degree apprenticeship - a work-based university qualification.
*ISE Annual Student Recruitment Survey 2018
From January 2024, a number of our Masters degrees will offer the opportunity to gain professional experience.
As a Masters students on one of these courses, you'll be able to study an extended two-year course. This will include, in Year 2, two Professional Experience modules.
Browse degrees with Professional Experience modules
Professional Experience modules offer a fantastic opportunity to gain industry exposure, and benefit from professional mentoring and feedback, which will help you to secure the graduate role you want. You can choose which Professional Experience modules to take, personalising your learning journey and accessing the most appropriate experiences for you.
For international students, our Professional Experience modules are UKVI compliant and provide certainty around the duration of your course, accommodation needs and career planning.
How Professional Experience modules work
All our Professional Experience modules are designed to offer a minimum of 20 hours (three days) directed study, learning and/or activity each week; and regular contact time with ARU tutors and/or industry partners. They also include online learning courses, to help you enhance your skill sets and build up a portfolio of employment-focussed learning.
Depending on the subject you’re studying, you may be able to choose from:
- Professional Project
- Professional Work Experience
- Professional Work Placement.
Each Professional Experience module lasts for approximately 12 weeks, or one trimester. In the final trimester of Year 2, you'll complete your Major Project.
Progression onto your Professional Experience modules in Year 2 is linked to achieving a minimum academic threshold (including passing the Preparation for PE module) and meeting a module choice deadline in Year 1.
Professional Project
This module is offered on-campus, in collaboration with industry partners. You’ll learn in a variety of settings, working on an industry project with your peers. You’ll benefit from face-to-face teaching, regular guidance and feedback while working on the project. There is regular industry and academic contact and insights, providing you with a unique and valuable professional experience.
Professional Work Experience
Based on-campus, you’ll have an opportunity to secure professional experience in one or more of the business units in the University. This will provide exposure to business functions, culture and the workplace setting in the UK. These experiences may last for one or two trimesters, depending on business unit offer and availability.
You apply for work experience as you would a job, so please note it is not guaranteed. You'll be paid National Living Wage, and our dedicated Placements Team is here to support you through the application process.
Professional Work Placement
Normally off-campus, spend time working in an industry and gaining valuable industry experience. Work placements are usually paid and may last for one or two trimesters, depending on industry norms and availability.
You apply for work placements as you would a job, so please note that they are not guaranteed. Our dedicated Placements Team is here to support you through the application process.
Example course structure
The documents below show the modules you might take on a Masters degree with Professional Experience.
September starts
See an example course structure for September starts (PDF)
In Year 1 (trimesters 1-2) you'll complete academic modules, and identify your preferred Professional Experience modules for Year 2. Progress to Year 2 is confirmed, subject to meeting academic thresholds.
In Year 2, you'll complete two Professional Experience modules: one in trimester 1, one in trimester 2. You may combine two Work Placements or Work Experience modules if the external company or ARU business unit offers a two-trimester opportunity. Similarly, you may complete two Professional Project modules, if that is the experience you are seeking. In trimester 3 you'll complete your Major Project module.
January starts
See an example course structure for January starts (PDF)
In Year 1 (trimester 2) and Year 2 (trimester 1) you'll complete academic modules, and identify your preferred Professional Experience modules. Progress is confirmed, subject to meeting academic thresholds.
In Year 2, you'll complete two Professional Experience modules: one in trimester 2, one in trimester 3. You may combine two Work Placements or Work Experience modules if the external company or ARU business unit offers a two-trimester opportunity. Similarly, you may complete two Professional Project modules, if that is the experience you are seeking. Finally, you'll complete your Major Project module in trimester 1 of Year 3.