Going on a work placement at University by NASMA

Student Money Week 2018

Got a question about going on a work placement while you’re at Uni? Our experts are here to help.

Please be aware all answers will be posted on Tuesday 13 February.

Reply 1

purple1106

How do I find work placements? i.e. is there an indeed.com for university work placements?

There seems to be less opportunities for placements abroad, is this inevitable or am I looking in the wrong places?

If so, where do I look?Is there a site or place to look for work placements in China specifically?

Reply 2

Nicolette Burns

Official Rep

Hello

Your placements office should provide details of how you find a work placement, and may have some placements ready for students to take. Contact them for the specific placements you are interested in - they should also have details of where to look.

Reply 3

purple1106

Can you contact employers in advance? Such as a year or two in advance and say you're looking for a work placement?

Does your university sort out where you live if you work abroad? Or do you have to do this yourself?

Are you expected to learn the language if you work abroad?

Is a work placement abroad more, less or the same value as a work placement in the UK?

Reply 4

Nicolette Burns

Official Rep

If you want a particular placement, you must contact your course's placement office, as the company may change their mind - or you might if you plan too soon.

Again, your own University's placement office will be able to let you know whether or not they sort our your accommodation while you are on placement. At my University, we don't offer that service, and students sort this out for themselves.

All work placements must pass health and safety and insurance requirements and must be appropriate for the particular student, so check all of this with your placements office,

Please ask me if you have any funding questions about your work placement year!

Reply 5

Nicolette Burns

Official Rep

If you are thinking of taking a full placement year, either paid or unpaid, it is very important to understand that you will receive very limited money for living costs from Student Finance England during that year, even if your placement is unpaid and is in London or abroad.

During the 18/19 academic year, Student finance England will pay £2635 to a qualifying home student who is living away from the family home, and on placement other than in London, (even if it is abroad) and £1976 if they are living with their family. Students do not receive any grants in that year (should any students be eligible). The maximum maintenance loan for a student who is spending the entire year on placement in London, as long as they are not living in the family home, is £3699.

Students with children are not entitled to any Special Support element, or Childcare Grant or Parents Learning Allowance during a placement year.

You will pay a reduced tuition fee during your placement year - check with your university to find out how much you will be charged.

Reply 6

Nicolette Burns

Official Rep

You can also borrow the reduced tuition fee loan from Student finance England. The maximum amount an eligible home student can borrow if they started their course in 2016/17 and are taking a sandwich placement year in 18/19 would be £1850 if your university has a TEF award.

Reply 7

Kirsty SFE

Official Rep

Thanks to Nicolette for answering these questions.

If anyone has any more queries about placements and funding, you can message Student Finance England on Facebook or Twitter and we’ll get back to you