when should i start applying for placements?

4

I am a first year student studying BSc biomedical science and I am wondering when i should start applying for placement years.
I get a lot of emails from sites like gradcracker and ratemyplacements about different companies currently looking for applicants but I do not know if this is for my placement year specifically as the websites does not tell me this.

Thank you.

Reply 1

UniofReading

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Mila68394

I am a first year student studying BSc biomedical science and I am wondering when i should start applying for placement years.
I get a lot of emails from sites like gradcracker and ratemyplacements about different companies currently looking for applicants but I do not know if this is for my placement year specifically as the websites does not tell me this.
Thank you.

Good afternoon,

Generally speaking, students tend to apply for placements at the end of their first year and then throughout their second year until they successfully gain a placement. When applying at the end of year 1, you will need to make sure the placement is for your allocated year, e.g. starting in September 2027. Otherwise, it might be overall with your second year of university. Alternatively, if you find a placement/ job you like you could contact them to ask about their start date, and whether they will be able to accommodate for you.

Usally, the earlier you start looking the higher chance you have of finding a placement, as some people get to the end of year 2 and decide there was nothing they liked or would enjoy.

I hope this information helps and that you find a good placement.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology

Reply 2

Mila68394

OP

4

Original post

by UniofReading

Good afternoon,
Generally speaking, students tend to apply for placements at the end of their first year and then throughout their second year until they successfully gain a placement. When applying at the end of year 1, you will need to make sure the placement is for your allocated year, e.g. starting in September 2027. Otherwise, it might be overall with your second year of university. Alternatively, if you find a placement/ job you like you could contact them to ask about their start date, and whether they will be able to accommodate for you.
Usally, the earlier you start looking the higher chance you have of finding a placement, as some people get to the end of year 2 and decide there was nothing they liked or would enjoy.
I hope this information helps and that you find a good placement.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology

I do not understand how i could apply at the end of first year where my grades have not been decided yet and my grades for 2nd year and non-existent since i havent started 2nd year yet.
How are they able to accept me at this point?

Reply 3

UniofReading

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Mila68394

I do not understand how i could apply at the end of first year where my grades have not been decided yet and my grades for 2nd year and non-existent since i havent started 2nd year yet.
How are they able to accept me at this point?

Good afternoon,

This would really depend on the placement, as some do not require grades to be given. e.g. if this was a short-term job placement, you would provide a CV and cover letter, not grades.

Also, this is why it is better to wait until more applications are open, as there will be more choices.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Mila68394

I am a first year student studying BSc biomedical science and I am wondering when i should start applying for placement years.
I get a lot of emails from sites like gradcracker and ratemyplacements about different companies currently looking for applicants but I do not know if this is for my placement year specifically as the websites does not tell me this.
Thank you.

Hi @Mila68394

I'm my experience, industrial placements in the biosciences will start to open from September in your second year - with the earliest closing dates being early October. However, lots of opportunities will continue to open up throughout the year with later closing dates. I always advise people not to panic or give up if they apply to one of the earlier placements and get rejected, as there are genuinely so many options; I know someone who only found their placement year the summer before their third year!

You'll apply using your first year results. I'd recommend reaching out to your careers department as soon as possible with a copy of your CV and ask them their advice. It makes applications much easier in second year if you already have a good base CV that you can then tailor to each role you apply for! You can also ask your careers department if they have a list of placement companies that students have previously worked at to give you some ideas of where to look!

I did a placement year last year. I applied in October of my second year and interviewed and received the offer in December. To give you an idea of how many applications I sent off, I applied for five roles in total, and was rejected from two, ghosted by one, and made it through to the final interview for two.

Best of luck with your applications! Let me know if you have any other questions I can help with!
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

when should i start applying for placements?

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