.jpg)
Year in Industry placements may be in companies in the private, public or third sectors in the UK or overseas. Placements are usually full-time and last 40-54 weeks. On placement, students are employees of the organisation (receiving the benefits associated with employment) but remain students at the University (completing University assessment linked to their time in work).
Securing a Year in Industry placement is a competitive process and not guaranteed when on a programme with a Year in Industry. Students who successfully secure a year in industry placement usually complete it during Year 3 before returning to university for a fourth final year of study. In a few degree programmes, there may be the option to complete a Year in Industry during the final year of study. Your School/Department will be able to advise you on how the Year in Industry works in your subject.
If a student doesn’t secure a Year in Industry placement for any reason (or choose not to accept one) then they can transfer to the non-Year in Industry version of the programme (those who have a study visa will also need to consult with the International Advice & Guidance Team, as transferring degree programmes can have implications for your study visa).
Who can apply?
Students registered (or able to register) on degree programmes that offer a Year in Industry option can apply for year in industry placements.
If you are not already on a degree programme with a year in industry, your School/Department will be able to tell you if one is available for your subject and any requirements that need to be met to transfer to a Year in Industry programme. Those who have a study visa must also consult with the International Advice & Guidance Team, as transferring degree programmes can have implications for your visa.
Why undertake a Year in Industry?
Studies have shown that students who complete placements during their degree often improve their academic performance in their final year of study, resulting in higher degree classifications, and are often in graduate employment sooner and earning more than those who don’t, because placements can help students:
- Understand how their discipline connects with industry practice
- Improve communication, research and discipline-specific skills
- Develop professional networks and profiles on sites such as LinkedIn
- Understand (and try out) possible career routes and options
Some companies even look to employ their placement students when they graduate, with the possibility of a job offer being secured when you enter your final year of study.
How do to apply
Students apply for year in industry placements directly to companies, this will usually involve a CV or application form, online tests, interview and/or assessment centre.
Placements are advertised on Handshake, websites such as HigherIn (formerly RateMyPlacement), and on company websites. Advice on how to find work experience and placements is available on Handshake, and you can come and discuss it with Career Coaches in the Career Studio. Additional support is available through our programmes, such as Equality+, and our digital tools which will prepare you for all elements of the placement recruitment process.
There may also be support available within your School/Department to help you find and secure a year in industry placement, this could include a preparation module, extra-curricular workshops, or sessions with past placement students. Your School/Department will be able to advise you on the support available to students on your degree and how you can access it.
What happens if I don’t secure a placement?
Securing a placement is a competitive process and not everyone who is on a Year in Industry programme will secure a placement. You may wish to consider alternative employability opportunities such as summer internships or a final year work placement, if available on your programme.
Undergraduate students you don’t secure a Year in Industry placement for any reason (or choose not to accept one) can usually transfer to the 3-year version of your programme at the end of the Second Year and simply continue into your Final Year of study. Those who have a study visa must also consult with the International Advice & Guidance Team, as transferring degree programmes can have implications for your visa.
Does a year in industry count towards my overall degree classification and how is it assessed?
For undergraduates, a Year in Industry generally represent 10% of classification weightings, with the remainder drawn 70% from Final Year and 20% from Second Year. In some cases, placement years may be unweighted, so the usual 70% Final Year / 30% Second Year split applies. Your School/Department can advise you on how a placement would count in your degree programme.
A Year in Industry placement is usually assessed through reflective portfolios and/or end-of-year presentations. All details on assessments and requirements are provided ahead of you starting your year in industry placement and you will have the support of a Placement Supervisor.
What else do you need to know?
As you remain enrolled as a student during a Year in Industry and must complete assessments, students pay tuition fees for a Year in Industry (at a reduced rate). For further information on fees, see https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/ As Year in Industry placement years are classified as a year of study, students may be able to access loans to help with tuition fees and study costs. The Money Advice & Guidance Team can answer questions regarding this.
Your School/Department will need to approve your Year in Industry placement before you start work, the University will undertake due diligence on your placement provider to ensure they have appropriate policies and procedures in place. Once you are on placement, you will be supported by a Placement Supervisor, a member of your School/Department who meets with you online or in person during your placement.
.jpg)
Back to: Careers and Employability