Making the most of a placement year
Many degree courses let students spend a year working before their final year.
It is a chance to try a job, learn how an organisation works and come back with real experience.
These notes cover finding a placement, pay, fees and loans. They draw on GOV.UK and Prospects, a UK graduate careers website.
What a placement year is
A placement year is a period of work that forms part of your degree. It is also called a sandwich year or a year in industry. It usually comes between the second and final years.
On some courses it is compulsory. You are assessed and earn academic credit for it. That might mean a report, a reflective log or a project.
Placements are common in engineering, science and construction. Social work, healthcare and teaching degrees often include them too.
Finding a placement
Your university careers service is a good first stop. Most universities also have a placement tutor who helps students arrange their year.
Some universities find placements for students. Elsewhere you apply yourself. Many employers use formal applications, interviews and assessment centres, so it pays to research the company and the role first.
Smaller firms are worth a look as well. They can give you room to work on your own initiative.
Pay and the minimum wage
Year-long placements are usually paid. Pay depends on the role, the place and the employer.
The minimum wage has a special rule for students. If your course requires a placement of less than one year, you are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage for it. Otherwise your rights depend on whether you count as a worker, an employee or a volunteer.
Prospects suggests agreeing the terms in writing before you start. The Acas helpline gives advice on pay and work rights.
Fees in the placement year
Students on a placement that is part of their course usually pay a reduced tuition fee for that year. The amount is set by each university. Prospects gives the University of York at 20% of the full fee and the University of Leeds at 15%.
Your own university's fees page will give the figure for your course.
Student loan repayments
You only repay a student loan when your income is over the threshold for your plan. The earliest you start repaying is the April after you leave your course.
After the placement
You return to finish your degree with practical experience behind you. Add the placement to your CV and keep in touch with the people you worked with. Some students who do well go on to work for the same employer after graduating.