Placement year
Placement year
Whichever undergraduate course you’re on at Loughborough, you’ll be able to incorporate a placement year into your degree.
Why should I do a placement year?
An industrial or professional work placement is a fantastic way to gain invaluable experience in a real workplace. Approximately half of our undergraduates take a placement or exchange year and they find that the benefits may include:
- Applying your knowledge and skills in a work setting
- Gaining a working insight of a specific industry or role
- Finding a mentor or supervisor who could act as a referee in future job applications
- Attending valuable training courses
- Improving your chances of securing a graduate-level job
- Building a network of professional contacts
- Developing your self-confidence, resilience and transferrable skills
- Experiencing life in another country
What do our students say?
Frequently asked questions
How are placement years recognised?
At Loughborough University the placement year is an assessed part of your programme. You will be expected to complete formal assessments based on your experience and receive a satisfactory report from your placement employer(s).
The successful completion of a placement year leads to the award of a Diploma in Industrial Studies, a Diploma in Professional Studies, or, where combined with study abroad, a Diploma in International Studies.
You can find more information about the requirements for your programme by viewing the relevant placement module specification in Learn.
When can I take a placement year?
Placements are completed during Part I, which is normally taken in between Parts B and C. If you are on an integrated master’s degree (e.g. MChem, MEng), it may be possible to take Part I in between Parts C and D. Your School can provide more details.
What is required for a placement year?
Students are expected to undertake 45 weeks of professional or industrial work experience with one or more employers during Part I. The role must be of an appropriate standard and the University must receive assurance that the employer will provide appropriate support and meet health and safety requirements.
If your School offers the opportunity to combine a work placement with study abroad, the expectation is that you will spend a semester studying overseas plus complete a minimum of 20 weeks’ work placement.
What is expected of me, my employer and the University?
The Student Placement Charter outlines the expectations of all parties involved in student placement activity, including Loughborough Students’ Union which continues to provide support to Part I students.
What happens if I change my mind about doing a placement year?
If you have registered for the version of your degree which does not include a placement, it is simple to change your programme. You need to submit a route transfer request through the MyProgramme system.
Student visa holders must consider the implications of programme changes for their visa. The Student Advice and Support Service can provide specialist visa advice.
If you no longer want to take a placement year, you should speak to your School. If the placement is not compulsory, it is straightforward to transfer to the non-placement route, but you must be mindful of deadlines for starting the next part of your programme.
I’m a Student visa holder; can I do a placement year?
Yes, Part I placements are an ‘integral and assessed part’ of your degree programme and are treated differently to the typical work restrictions for Student visa holders. The Student Advice and Support Service can provide specialist information and advice.