Is an industrial year worth it for Computer Science?

I've recently received an offer for G400 CompSci after requesting a change and was wondering whether or not an industrial year would be worth it. I've been told by many sites that these placements are often valuable and in comparison to non-placement graduates and typically have a higher starting salary (between £3,000 - 5,000, which isn't exactly a big deal). However, it would mean that I would be studying for an extra year which I prefer not to do. Moreover, I would be paying for an extra year (not sure if it's the full £9000 for the industrial year) out of my pocket, which I would rather not do unless it'll make a significant difference.

Can someone with experience of this advise me or share their experiences with industrial years, please?

Thank you!

I've recently received an offer for G400 CompSci after requesting a change and was wondering whether or not an industrial year would be worth it. I've been told by many sites that these placements are often valuable and in comparison to non-placement graduates, typically have a higher starting salary (between £3,000 - 5,000, which isn't exactly a big deal). However, it would mean that I would be studying for an extra year which I prefer not to do. Moreover, I would be paying for an extra year (not sure if it's the full £9000 for the industrial year) out of my pocket, which I would rather not do unless it'll make a significant difference.

Can someone with experience of this advise me or share their experiences with industrial years, please?

Thank you!

I don't think it's the full fee, it may be half or less.

It's typically 20%.

So your reason to reject is because it only pays back in 3-4 years?
Have you ever though experience might be a leetle bit useful in the computer sector, unless ofc you already have plenty?

I paid 50% so it varies.

ooo... which uni/course? I just quickly checked Bath and L'boro. Both were 20%...

York, biochem but a few years ago. It's now 15% so it still varies!

But that's the thing, it pays back immediately. The tuition fee for a placment year is low (typically £1800) and the OP will be earning a salary during the year so it's cashflow positive AND they get valuable work experience.

What's not to like

Maybe I was being sarcastic. I was taken aback by the reasoning and conclusion. I was too depressed to take it any further. Complete no brainer for me, perhaps he cna have a year signining on instead....

So your reason to reject is because it only pays back in 3-4 years?
Have you ever though experience might be a leetle bit useful in the computer sector, unless ofc you already have plenty?

But that's the thing, it pays back immediately. The tuition fee for a placment year is low (typically £1800) and the OP will be earning a salary during the year so it's cashflow positive AND they get valuable work experience.

What's not to like

I'm not denying that experience is useful. I'd rather study for three consecutive years and then go onto working, as opposed to returning to university after my placement is finished, and spending another year/two years studying. I could equally gain experience during the holidays of each year with different companies.

I'm not denying that experience is useful. I'd rather study for three consecutive years and then go onto working, as opposed to returning to university after my placement is finished, and spending another year/two years studying. I could equally gain experience during the holidays of each year with different companies.

How do you know you are going to get those placements?
How do you know the quality of work will be comparable?
How do you know you will find it easy to get a job after you graduate?
Why cnat you also get experience when doing your degree anyway?
Why not ask them if you cna change your year so you do the placement at the end of the course? Perhaps theres a reason they have it mid course?

Did you bother going to any open days?

Your life and your choice. Personally id be bothered about my skills and employability. Not as though the IT industry has a reputation or anything.

Ah, that would have been when the main fee was already "low"

But yes it does vary although shouldn't be high, and is more than covered by the salary (and SFE if needed).