How does the placement year exactly go like?
I was contemplating whether I should’ve chosen this or no but I ended up applying without it. What exactly happens during a placement year/how does it work? Thanks 
Each Uni (and subject) will have a different system for placements - how you find one, who pays, how much choice you have, how long it is, etc etc. Have a look on the Uni website for info.
Surrey Placement student blog - My Placement Experience and Tips for Future Applicants | The Professional Training Placement Experience
Usually you can switch into a 'with placement' pathway (if offered) once you get to Uni, and often even in your first year - or you can ask to switch now.
Surrey Placement student blog - My Placement Experience and Tips for Future Applicants | The Professional Training Placement Experience
Usually you can switch into a 'with placement' pathway (if offered) once you get to Uni, and often even in your first year - or you can ask to switch now.
Original post by McGinger
Each Uni (and subject) will have a different system for placements - how you find one, who pays, how much choice you have, how long it is, etc etc. Have a look on the Uni website for info.
Surrey Placement student blog - My Placement Experience and Tips for Future Applicants | The Professional Training Placement Experience
Usually you can switch into a 'with placement' pathway (if offered) once you get to Uni, and often even in your first year - or you can ask to switch now.
Surrey Placement student blog - My Placement Experience and Tips for Future Applicants | The Professional Training Placement Experience
Usually you can switch into a 'with placement' pathway (if offered) once you get to Uni, and often even in your first year - or you can ask to switch now.
Thank you!!
Original post by astr0star123
I was contemplating whether I should’ve chosen this or no but I ended up applying without it. What exactly happens during a placement year/how does it work? Thanks
Hi @astr0star123
During a placement year, you take a break from your university studies and work for a company of your choice for a year. Placement years are usually quite competitive and you will have to apply for the placement in the year before you wish to start. There may be an option to switch to a placement year if you were intrested, but I would recommend speaking to your university as soon as possible about this as each university will have a different system for placement years.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Original post by astr0star123
I was contemplating whether I should’ve chosen this or no but I ended up applying without it. What exactly happens during a placement year/how does it work? Thanks
Hi there @astr0star123 , this depends on your uni, course and type of industry 🙂 I am fashion design student currently on my placement year and can share a little bit of my experience. A placement year is usually between your 2nd and 3rd year of Uni, lasts around 6-8 months to a year, and are much longer than a regular internship. Personally, the placement year has been my favourite part of my university experience! It has given me the chance to explore different roles and make new connections with people in industry🤗 However some placements are better paid than others (depending on the company and industry) so it will be good to take note on the financial costs of taking a year out. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions about placements 🙂 Alternatively, you may want to consider doing a summer internship instead of a full year out.
Useful Links:
How to Look for Internships
Taking a sandwhich year out
Day in the life of a placement student
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Kingston Zhi En
Hi there @astr0star123 , this depends on your uni, course and type of industry 🙂 I am fashion design student currently on my placement year and can share a little bit of my experience. A placement year is usually between your 2nd and 3rd year of Uni, lasts around 6-8 months to a year, and are much longer than a regular internship. Personally, the placement year has been my favourite part of my university experience! It has given me the chance to explore different roles and make new connections with people in industry🤗 However some placements are better paid than others (depending on the company and industry) so it will be good to take note on the financial costs of taking a year out. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions about placements 🙂 Alternatively, you may want to consider doing a summer internship instead of a full year out.
Useful Links:
How to Look for Internships
Taking a sandwhich year out
Day in the life of a placement student
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Useful Links:
How to Look for Internships
Taking a sandwhich year out
Day in the life of a placement student
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Thanks!!
Original post by astr0star123
I was contemplating whether I should’ve chosen this or no but I ended up applying without it. What exactly happens during a placement year/how does it work? Thanks
Hey there,
A placement year (also called a sandwich year or industrial placement) is a year-long work experience in your industry, usually taken between your second and final year of university.
How It Works:
•
You apply for placements just like a job—submitting applications, attending interviews, and securing an offer.
•
Once accepted, you work full-time for 9–12 months with a company related to your degree.
•
The placement is usually paid, but some unpaid ones exist.
•
You remain a student and may need to complete assignments or reports for your university.
•
Practical Experience: Gain hands-on skills and industry exposure.
•
Better Job Prospects: Employers prefer graduates with experience.
•
Networking: Build connections for future opportunities.
•
Potential Job Offers: Some students secure graduate jobs from their placement company.
All the best!
Kind & Regards
Coventry University Student Ambassadors.
Original post by Coventry University Student Ambassadors
Hey there,
A placement year (also called a sandwich year or industrial placement) is a year-long work experience in your industry, usually taken between your second and final year of university.
How It Works:
Benefits:
Since you’re in you are still studying and applying for internships, you’re still gaining valuable experience—even if you didn’t choose a full placement year. Short-term internships can also boost your CV significantly!
All the best!
Kind & Regards
Coventry University Student Ambassadors.
A placement year (also called a sandwich year or industrial placement) is a year-long work experience in your industry, usually taken between your second and final year of university.
How It Works:
•
You apply for placements just like a job—submitting applications, attending interviews, and securing an offer.
•
Once accepted, you work full-time for 9–12 months with a company related to your degree.
•
The placement is usually paid, but some unpaid ones exist.
•
You remain a student and may need to complete assignments or reports for your university.
•
Practical Experience: Gain hands-on skills and industry exposure.
•
Better Job Prospects: Employers prefer graduates with experience.
•
Networking: Build connections for future opportunities.
•
Potential Job Offers: Some students secure graduate jobs from their placement company.
All the best!
Kind & Regards
Coventry University Student Ambassadors.
Thanks!!
Original post by astr0star123
I was contemplating whether I should’ve chosen this or no but I ended up applying without it. What exactly happens during a placement year/how does it work? Thanks
Hi!
Essentially, this means that in the third year of your degree (usually) you will go and work for a company relevant to your degree, in order to gain work experience and make connections. Each university will have a different application process but you will find and apply for placements and then spend your year working there, earning a salary, perhaps living somewhere different, gaining experience in that field.
Hope this helps! Faye 🙂
Original post by Kingston Zhi En
Hi there @astr0star123 , this depends on your uni, course and type of industry 🙂 I am fashion design student currently on my placement year and can share a little bit of my experience. A placement year is usually between your 2nd and 3rd year of Uni, lasts around 6-8 months to a year, and are much longer than a regular internship. Personally, the placement year has been my favourite part of my university experience! It has given me the chance to explore different roles and make new connections with people in industry🤗 However some placements are better paid than others (depending on the company and industry) so it will be good to take note on the financial costs of taking a year out. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions about placements 🙂 Alternatively, you may want to consider doing a summer internship instead of a full year out.
Useful Links:
How to Look for Internships
Taking a sandwhich year out
Day in the life of a placement student
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Useful Links:
How to Look for Internships
Taking a sandwhich year out
Day in the life of a placement student
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Hi, I’m thinking of doing a placement year I am also studying fashion design, I’ve been offered a placement but I’m still not sure if I should go or not?
As I didn’t plan on doing a placement year it was very last minute.Would you recommend. I’m also not sure it would be like when I go back to uni and everyone I know has graduated? What was your experience with this, did you make new friends how was it adapting back at uni ?
Thanks
Original post by Anonymous
Hi, I’m thinking of doing a placement year I am also studying fashion design, I’ve been offered a placement but I’m still not sure if I should go or not?
As I didn’t plan on doing a placement year it was very last minute.Would you recommend. I’m also not sure it would be like when I go back to uni and everyone I know has graduated? What was your experience with this, did you make new friends how was it adapting back at uni ?
Thanks
As I didn’t plan on doing a placement year it was very last minute.Would you recommend. I’m also not sure it would be like when I go back to uni and everyone I know has graduated? What was your experience with this, did you make new friends how was it adapting back at uni ?
Thanks
Hi there,
It's great that you are keeping your options open and considering a placement year. I did a placement year during my time studying fashion promotion and marketing and I couldn't recommend it more. Placement years are great for getting that industry experience, developing skills for final year and your future and growing independently. My placement was unpaid so I had to work as much as I could the days I wasn't doing my placement. This got a little overwhelming and draining but after discussing about me working form home some days etc it helped. So I would recommend finding a placement that is paid, but you will find some being unpaid or just covering travel which is at least something. Despite not being paid for it I grew in confidence, developed my skills further and made connections.
I also lived with two fashion design students who did their placement year at the same time and we all agreed that it's a great experience. It also helped us figure out our style of work more and plan what we would like to focus on in our final year.
As you mentioned, after I came back to university when my placement finished, I was with a completely new class. This was something that worried me during my placement year but honestly, there was no reason to. Despite being a shy person, I felt welcomed in the class, made some great friends for life and got to push the industry skills I gained into my final year work.
I would also recommend applying for the placements as early as you can. I didn't manage to secure a placement as early as I liked, so I ended up messaging friends who are in a similar course as me and just putting myself out there to DM companies, email people and just get my name out there. I managed to secure one this way rather than applying for them on websites.
Lastly, don't forget to ask for help too! Get your friends and family to help you search. Ask your lecturers if they have any connections or to keep an eye out. Career teams are there to help you, so make the most of the team whilst you can.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Best wishes,
^Zac
Okay thanks for the information this really helped! How many days a week did you do the placement year for? And can I ask the employer if it’s paid if I originally reached out to them directly?
Original post by Anonymous
Okay thanks for the information this really helped! How many days a week did you do the placement year for? And can I ask the employer if it’s paid if I originally reached out to them directly?
Hi there,
Thank you for message and patience. I did four days a week and then went down to three days in the office and one day working from home. I don't see an issue asking if it's paid or unpaid, you could do this initially or once you get a reply or have a meeting with them. Best of luck in your placement search🙂
Best wishes,
^Zac
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