Here you'll find answers to the questions that we're most often asked about work placements on our courses.
If you have any more questions about placement opportunities, please email [email protected].
All our undergraduate students have the option to take a placement year, and most will have the option to take a placement module on their course as well. This allows them to seek out and complete a work placement, as well as providing a structured means to assess progress on it.
We have an extensive professional network built on years of experience in industry and a proven history of students with the skills that business are looking for.
We offer bespoke support, advice and access to a number of resources, including roles to apply for with a number of local organisations who are looking for enthusiastic students to join them.
However, students are also encouraged to actively search for their own placements, to find a company and role that appeals to their interests. The role must relate to their degree course, and the company must be approved by the University before a contract can be entered.
Like applying for any job, students should be prepared to apply for many different roles to ensure they secure a placement.
No, we do not. We believe that when students take the initiative to secure their own placements, they are more likely to find opportunities that align with their interests and career aspirations. This process also helps them build stronger connections with employers and effectively showcase their skills. Additionally, it provides valuable experience in presenting themselves professionally and expanding their network, which will be beneficial when seeking employment in the future.
If we provided guaranteed placements, they would be the same each year and, while still valuable as work experience, would be less likely to lead to transformative opportunities. Although the placements team cannot guarantee work placements, they are available to support students throughout their search, assist with applications, and help them prepare for any interviews they receive.
Many of our students work locally to their campus or in London, but they can work anywhere they wish in the UK. UK and EU students can also work internationally but this should be checked with the Placements Team – [email protected] – and the appropriate bodies in the country must be contacted for more advice. Locations of previous placements include Cambridge, London, Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
We encourage all undergraduate students to take a paid placement, however in some of the creative industries unpaid positions are often the industry standard. Students should contact their module leader or ARU’s Placements Team – [email protected] – to discuss the types of role on offer, and get support finding vacancies that meet their circumstances. .
The exact timing and length of the placement will depend on the module for any particular course – Course Directors can provide more information on this. But, for example, an undergraduate placement year would need to be at least 36 weeks.
When a student returns to university for their final year, they will complete a reflective piece of writing based on their practical experience during the placement. This will include a workplace diary containing the activities undertake on the placement, and an analysis of what was learned from them.