Supporting Student Work Placements
Students studying any course in the School have the opportunity to undertake 12 month's work experience between year 2 and final year of their degree. The student is issued a contract and is a 'regular employee' for the company and as such is paid a salary locally averaging at £14K for academic year 2015-16.
The support offered by the School is a visit from the a staff member to ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied, students can gain advice on specific projects they are working on from an academic and students are supported to gain the most of their work experience through assessment by school staff.
Companies are advised to begin the recruitment process no later than February for a July start. Students can commence their work experience anytime between July and September.
Benefits for Employers
Employ one of our students for 12 months in a placement at your company and benefit from:
• A cost effective extra fixed term resource
• A motivated, committed and loyal employee
• An opportunity to assess student’s potential for future employment; the opportunity to give a potential graduate recruit a trial without obligation
• Flexibility in staff deployment and increased productivity
• New skills and knowledge of modern practices and technologies informed by research
• Breakthrough thinking (not blinkered or stereotyped), new ideas and fresh enthusiasm
Placement Criteria
Placements should normally be:
• 12 months / 48 weeks in duration and start no later than 1st October
• Full time, but with a minimum of 30 hours per week in exceptional circumstances
• Salaried at the UK minimum wage or higher (for UK placements)
• Focussed within the engineering discipline
Recruiting Placement Students
Recruitment Dates
Some of the UK’s larger recruiters will begin recruiting from 1st October and have confirmed placement employees by Christmas to begin work in July of the following year. This is necessary where you have a volume of students to recruit. That said it is recommended that if you can advertise your vacancy early you do. Here is an approximate guide to the recommended recruitment timeline:
October to December |
Advertise and Promote your Vacancy. During this period you may wish to attend Campus events including Careers Fairs to promote your vacancy |
January to March |
Shortlist and Interview. You may use the campus for interviews if your premises are at distance |
June to December |
Students commence placement |
Recruitment Process
Placement Officer Lynsey Holland can provide bespoke advice in the recruitment of students and graduates from the School. Please do contact Lynsey on the details below:
Lynsey Holland |
Tel: +44 (0) 2890 974 274 |