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Should I choose a course with placement year

I’m about to apply unis for computer science but cannot decide if I should choose with a in year industry or just 3 years course. I’m not sure if it’s worth it , university doesn’t find the placement for me, I have to apply myself and it’s not guaranteed. What do you guys think?
Original post by eatayka
I’m about to apply unis for computer science but cannot decide if I should choose with a in year industry or just 3 years course. I’m not sure if it’s worth it , university doesn’t find the placement for me, I have to apply myself and it’s not guaranteed. What do you guys think?


Computer science grads have one of the highest unemployment rates. I would take any opportunity to get work experience with both hands.
Reply 2
Original post by eatayka
I’m about to apply unis for computer science but cannot decide if I should choose with a in year industry or just 3 years course. I’m not sure if it’s worth it , university doesn’t find the placement for me, I have to apply myself and it’s not guaranteed. What do you guys think?

You can always switch from the standard 3 year course onto the one with the placement year if you manage to secure yourself a placement, and on the opposite if you enrol onto the 4 year course with the integrated year in industry but don't get a job offer then you just carry on into the 3rd year anyway.
As you say the University doesn't guarantee anything, so it doesn't matter whichever way you go, however I strongly suggest you do your absolute best to get a placement as it drastically improves your odds of getting a graduate job at a good company. (btw you can do a placement after graduation too)
Reply 3
@ThatguyAI is absolutely right - you can change anyway - but I would also advocate for you to pick the course with placement as it doesn't matter if you don't get one and trying your best to secure one will greatly improve your employment outcomes.

The one thing I would say is that you can get some internships post-graduation, but companies can sometimes get certain benefits for offering placement schemes to people currently enrolled in full time education. So there will be opportunities that are exclusive to your time at university. And they're not obliged to pay you much.
The general consensus at the many open days I have attended with my sons is that if you are unsure about YII or not you are better off applying for the YII course as it is easier to switch from 4 years to the 3 year straight degree than vice versa as you will be reducing as opposed to increasing your funding, but it should still be possible to go from 3 to 4 years. The only uni that I know of that pretty much guaranteed CS students a YII placement (as long as the student could get through interview stage of course) was Nottingham Trent.
Original post by eatayka
I’m about to apply unis for computer science but cannot decide if I should choose with a in year industry or just 3 years course. I’m not sure if it’s worth it , university doesn’t find the placement for me, I have to apply myself and it’s not guaranteed. What do you guys think?


I don’t do computer science but a placement year is better in my opinion, it can give you extra skills and make you look better.
Reply 6
A placement year is absolutely worth doing it will put you ahead of people who do not have any work experience. As others have said if you can't find a placement you usually just go into the final year anyway.
Original post by eatayka
I’m about to apply unis for computer science but cannot decide if I should choose with a in year industry or just 3 years course. I’m not sure if it’s worth it , university doesn’t find the placement for me, I have to apply myself and it’s not guaranteed. What do you guys think?

You choose if you want to do industry year at the end of your second year

Double check your uni websites but you shouldn’t have to decide now. You can opt in/out whenever you want until the deadline in the 2nd year

I’m applying this year asw for cs bsc, where you planning to apply to.
Hi there,

You've already received some stellar advice on here so I won't parrot it. However...

At the end of the day its up to you whether a placement is right for you. I personally would recommend it because...

It is the chance to gain some experience for your CV most other grads won't have

Its the chance to earn money and do something interesting and different for a year

It may help you get your 'foot in the door' for future employment or find out more about where CS can lead you



Here at Bath we have one of the best placement schemes in the country, and the huge majority of our courses offer versions with placement years. We have computer science proper and also computer science and maths and computer science and AI variants if this would interest you?

I hope this helps - best of luck in your next steps and making your choices.

Holly
University of Bath
(edited 1 month ago)

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