Developing your employability on your course
A student sitting at a desk talking with a lecturer

Placements

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. It's a great way to develop your skills and confidence too.

Alternatively, you can choose an enterprise placement. This is an opportunity to focus on starting a business or freelancing – with support throughout.

Placements for undergraduate students

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."
Emma
BSc (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management

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."
Lauretta
Civil Engineering student

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

What is an Enterprise Placement?

An Enterprise Placement (EP) is an alternative option to the traditional placement year in industry. An EP aims to develop enterprise skills whilst starting and running a business, becoming self-employed or freelancing. You'll receive support and guidance from the Placements and AREA team throughout the year. 

To find out about enterprise placements, contact the Anglia Enterprise Academy (AREA) team: [email protected].

Support you will receive during your Enterprise Placement Year 

The Placements and AREA teams will give you comprehensive support before, during, and after your enterprise placement. They offer: 

  • 1-to-1 placement support appointments. You can book an appointment with your dedicated placements advisor via Handshake here.
  • Mentoring via the AREA team
  • Agile desk space 
  • Access to meeting rooms, presentation facilities, and breakout spaces
  • Start-up events and workshops 
  • Online toolkits and resources
  • Networking opportunities 
  • Access to competitions and funding opportunities  

For undergraduate placements starting in September, proposals must be submitted by 1 August.

Find courses with placement years.