A professional placement allows you to test drive a career and stand out to employers. Placement options are wide and varied but would typically be a graduate level role with one of a broad range of companies or organisations based in the UK or overseas.
We have strong industry links which help our students secure year-long placements in the UK and internationally. These placements are an invaluable opportunity to enhance employability and apply skills and knowledge to a working environment. You are expected to secure your own placement. However, extensive support from the School Placement Officer and Careers Network team is always available. Transfer between the three- and four-year courses is normally possible.
Placement companies
Students from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities have a broad range of skills meaning that the placements they undertake are wide and varied.
In recent years our students have completed placements with Volkswagen, Molson Coors, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Samsung Electronics, Bosch, Confederation of British Industry, PwC, National Grid, Renault, Department of Work and Pensions, Food Standards Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Instron and Sky.
Students have undertaken roles such as Logistics Manager, Marketing Intern, Management Consultant, Social Research Officer, Community Safety Hub Team Assistant, Corporate Finance Analyst, Sports Data Researcher, HR, PR & Social Media Intern and Corporate Affairs. Students also have the opportunity to develop their commercial and professional skills by undertaking a Year in Enterprise.
During their third year, selected students can pursue their own business idea, supported by a business mentor to develop their strategy, operations, risk analysis and finances.
Additional award
This course comes with the option to undertake a professional placement for a year, at the end of which you will gain a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS). This is an additional award to the final qualification you will receive once you have successfully completed this course.