Undergraduate KBS placements

A placement, or 'sandwich year' as it is sometimes called, enables you to spend a paid year in industry between year two and three of your degree course. Here, you gain valuable work experience before returning to your final year to complete your studies. It gives you the opportunity to link theory and practice together for a greater understanding of the business environment, and develop a whole host of key, transferable skills employers are actively recruiting for.

A placement year must:

• have a duration of at least 30 weeks on a full time basis
• be paid at least the National Minimum Wage
• be located with an employer (Placement Provider) who complies with all current health and safety legislation

Finishing your studies with a good academic result is important, but a great way to stand out from the crowd is work experience. Extensive research highlights the vast majority of employers prefer to recruit graduates who have undertaken a placement as part of their studies, with many employers using placement students as a talent pipeline for their graduate roles.

Other benefits include:

• practical experience in the industry you wish to work in
• improved job opportunities, and professional networks
• increased confidence when searching, and applying for graduate level roles
• experience of teamwork and the development of interpersonal skills
• awareness of current developments in your chosen sector
• potential to achieve higher grades and a better degree classification
• opportunity to earn a salary

You are supported throughout the entire process by us, our Student Placement Officer, Keele Careers and Employability team, and various other departments across the university. You are responsible for securing your own  own placement to enable complete flexibility when and where the placement is conducted, taking into consideration potential living and travel expenses which may be incurred, for which the you are responsible.

You will receive continuous support throughout your search for a placement, including;

• hints and tips on where to search and apply for placement opportunities
• job application and interview preparation support
• important announcements about workshops, employer events/visits and placement fairs

Our Student Placement Officer will network with a range of employers in order to source eligible placement opportunities that will be available to apply for, which can be found here.

There are specific modules in Year 1 and Year 2 designed to prepare you for a placement, including support in preparing CVs, covering letters and guidance on how to find a placement.

The Careers and Employability Team also have a range of support available including:

• one to one appointments to help students identify the type of placement they are looking for
• suite of online support around searching and applying for placement opportunities
• CV and application reviews

During the Placement, the you will have a designated supervisor orline manager, and will also be in regular communication with the our Student Placement Officer via email, telephone and also where possible a placement visit to the workplace.

If you undertake a placement you will still be a registered student at Keele University, and will have access to a whole host of student support services, including access to the Student Placement Officer, Student Services Centre, Careers and Employability and Keele University Students’ Union.

Placement activities will be work based and agreed between the employer, you as the student and an academic tutor. During your placement you will carry out work-based learning and reflection and will be expected to complete two portfolio assessments to successfully complete the placement.

You will pay a reduced fee whilst undertaking a work placement year as part of your course. For information about tuition fees please contact the Student Placement Officer, Sharon Farrow.

You can also apply for financial help, whether you're studying in the UK or abroad. However the funding may be reduced due to placement earnings. Please visit the Student Services Centre, or Student Finance England for more information.

To be eligible for the placement year, you must have a good academic standing, and attendance record.