Work placements
Many of our full-time undergraduate degrees include an optional placement year, enabling you to complete a year of paid employment in a relevant business or organisation. Those that don't often provide the opportunity to complete a short work placement or a series of work placements.
Some postgraduate and part-time courses also include a short work placement period. The timing, length and structure of the placement will depend on your course.
Work placements help students to understand the connection between their course and how it relates to their career. They provide valuable experience of a real working environment, enabling you to learn about how organisations operate.
This experience offers many benefits including
- improved professional and technical skills
- the chance to apply your learning to the workplace
- competitive advantage at graduate job interviews
- improved personal skills such as teamwork, project management and presenting
- better academic performance when you return to university
- greater understanding of industry and commercial environments
- enhanced job opportunities - some students secure graduate jobs with their placement employers or through contacts they have made
- a potential higher salary after you graduate
- possible sponsorship from your placement employer
Our experience of providing student placements, together with our strong links with employers, gives you the best opportunity to gain a high quality and suitable position. Optional year-long work placements are normally gained by competitive interview and are not a guaranteed part of a course.
What employers say
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'The students we have employed have the desire to learn and improve further, and quickly assert themselves as strong team players. They are not fazed by hard work, both for their own gain and for the benefit of colleagues.
'We have been very impressed with the students from Sheffield Hallam, and they have made it clear they are happy to be part of the team.'
Cadbury Trebor Bassett -
'Eli Lilly and Company have been operating a student placement programme for over 20 years, and more recently we have developed a strong relationship with Sheffield Hallam who have a proven track record for developing quality candidates.
'We are always on the look out for talented and capable individuals, so they can benefit from the crucial development opportunities on offer with 'real' jobs during placements, along with the chance of a long term career in Eli Lilly and Company.'
Eli Lilly -
'A placement is the ideal opportunity for students to develop their business, personal and technical skills, enhancing both their academic study and preparing them for a future career.'
Sony Computer Entertainment -
'The employment of placement students adds considerably to the technical and cultural diversity of the company, and the associated benefits this brings. Students consistently provide innovative solutions to complex customer specifications.
'Permanent staff get a great deal of satisfaction from taking part in and helping the development of students whilst they are working with us.'
Honeywell Control Systems
Overseas placements
Although most of our students work in the UK, some also take placements in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.
Overseas placements can be more challenging but they can also offer extra benefits and rewards, such as improved language skills and cultural awareness. Students who experience a placement abroad often return with broadened horizons and increased confidence.
It also demonstrates that you are willing to be independent and step out of your comfort zone to face new challenges. Employers' view this very positively, and it can help you stand out from other graduates.
If your placement is in Europe, you may be eligible for financial support from the Erasmus programme. For more information e-mail erasmus-inet@shu.ac.uk
