Work while you study
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Work while you study
Get work experience while you study
Get experience, grow your networks and demonstrate your skills to employers by engaging with our work-based learning opportunities from the moment you arrive.
Use our career zone platform to search for and apply to opportunities.
Paid internships (funded internship scheme)
Our funded internship scheme provides students with the opportunity to work in exciting and varied internship roles both at the university and with our external partners.
You can earn while you learn - internships are part-time and flexible to fit in with your studies.
This is a great way to explore new career options, expand your network and get a reference for your next role.
You will also receive mentoring and advice about how to translate this experience onto your CV/LinkedIn profile.
Placements
A placement is an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
The placement options available will depend on the course. Options for embedded placements include year-long sandwich placements and shorter placement modules which form part of the course.
We also promote a range of extra-curricular placements, giving students the opportunity to gain work experience and boost their employability skills.
Students can get 1 to 1 support from Career Coaches and Placement Officers as well as have the chance to attend careers workshops covering topics such as how to write a CV, cover letter and personal statement, interview skills, how to find a placement and much more.
Students are supported to source their placements and can view placement opportunities on the Career Zone jobs board.
Placement FAQs
Why should I undertake an industrial placement?
One of the many advantages of a placement is that it helps to increase your employability. We recommend our students to complete a placement as it looks great on your CV, and provides an opportunity to gain real-life work experience in a safe environment where you can be supported. It will also make you more attractive than your peers and enable you to connect and network with industry professionals, which can lead to more possibilities in the future.
Am I required to pay for the placement year?
If you have opted for a degree “With Placement”, then the placement year falls within your academic studies and therefore payment will be required for the degree with placement option, like all other degree modules. Please note, that students should not pay placement hosts/organisations for the placement opportunity as this is not permissible under any circumstances. The amount you will have to pay for the degree with a placement option will be stipulated in your offer letter. Please ensure you budget for this before accepting an offer for a course with placement.
How long does a placement last?
Placements last approximately 7.5 months. For precise start dates for your course contact your Programme Leader, or drop into the Career Zone (Docklands Campus) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to meet members of the PG Placements Team.
When do I look for a placement?
It’s never too early to search for a placement as some employers recruit candidates in advance. You should aim to secure a placement 3 months before the placement module begins. Typically, students send 35+ applications before securing an interview, so start early to avoid disappointment.
How do I find a placement?
You are not alone. We provide a wrap-around service that includes the following:
- 12-week Employability Module that builds your confidence and prepares you for all aspects of searching for a role, including how and where to network, creating a UK-approved CV, using LinkedIn to search for professional roles, access to Peer-Panels with previous students, Employer Talks, signposting to Careers Fairs and much more.
- Dedicated Placement Career Coach to whom you can address all your queries
- Access to 1-2-1 coaching appointments booked on the Career Zone platform
- Gain tips on how volunteering can make you more attractive to employers
What roles qualify for a placement?
Roles should align with your programme of study and be suitable for postgraduate students. You do not need any work experience to secure a placement. Use the Student Checklist document below to ensure you source the right type of role.
To download the Student Placement Check List: click on the document and click on the menu icon on the bottom right.
Is the placement paid?
There is no legal requirement for placement hosts to pay a wage as the placement is an integral part of the student’s course of study and not an advertised job. However, some organisations do pay expenses and sometimes more. Source a role early to increase your chance of getting a paid position.
How long will it take for my placement application to be approved?
Hundreds of students upload applications on the published submission date. We aim to review these within 10 working days. Submit your application early to ensure a timely response.
What happens if I do not find a placement?
We work with students right up to the deadline to support your efforts to find a role.
Every MBA and MSc student can access the industrial experience programme, whether that is finding a role externally, joining the in-house UEL consultancy projects run with our employer partners or undertaking a research role within a school.
Can I add a placement year?
Yes. Speak to your Programme Leader who will advise you on how to add a placement year. Please note that students adding the placement year must source an external role before being added to the module.
How do I contact a Placement Career Coach for additional advice?
You are automatically enrolled on the Employability Module where you will be introduced to your Placement Career Coach and given advice on how to contact them. Alternatively, drop into the Career Zone (Docklands Campus, EBG.04) on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to meet a member of the PG Placements Team.
Can placements be done remotely?
No. Remote placements are not permitted. Placements must take place for a minimum of 21 hours per week at the host’s site.
Industry projects
Industry Projects involve students working in small groups on a live business challenge.
Organisations provide the project brief and are on hand for light touch support and agreed checkpoints for the duration of the project. Students also receive academic support.
Upon completion, students will present their findings and recommendations in the format that has been requested by the project sponsor.
This is a great way to get hands-on experience and understand employer expectations.
Freelance roles
We are here to support the growing numbers of students and graduates who wish to be freelancers.
We embed learning on how to be self-employed and freelance across our six schools providing you with the vital skills you need to be successful.
Workshops and one-to-one sessions are also bookable and available to all students and recent graduates.
To support this, we have recently launched a marketplace that supports students who wish to try freelancing for the first time.
We help students find a range of roles from sports coaching, and IT consulting, to creative disciplines such as film and animation.
Voluntary work
Volunteering is an opportunity for students or graduates to volunteer with a charity or not-for-profit organisation to gain the skills, experience and confidence they need for the world of work.
Volunteering is about giving the time and skills without pay, for the benefit of others, the local community and oneself.
We work with a range of charitable organisations to provide exciting opportunities to develop skills and experience whilst making a difference.
Virtual Internships
We offer a range of virtual or simulated online internships for students to build their employability skills and experience what it’s like to work at various world-leading companies from the comfort of their homes.
This is a great way to prepare for work experience opportunities.
Access global opportunities
GoinGlobal is an online jobs platform with a difference. As well as helping students to find job opportunities both at home and abroad, students can access employer directories, search for internships and read career guides packed with useful information. To access the platform students can log into the Career Zone.
Temporary work on campus
Randstad is an onsite recruitment agency that helps students gain the support they need to find employment, both while at university and beyond.
They offer advice and support in helping students to source:
- paid part-time
- full time
- temporary
- permanent roles
Get some valuable experience, earn some money and have the competitive edge to help students and graduates stand out from the crowd.
What our students and partners say
The scheme has been great for us and the students, and UEL supported us through the recruitment process. The students we interviewed were all great candidates and we have now taken on one of our interns full-time. I would encourage businesses to take part - it's a great way to source talent for your organisation and to support students with the experience they need alongside their studies."
Mayor's Fund for London
The funded internship scheme was the perfect way for me to get relevant work in the creative industry from employers that take pride in nurturing my talent. I constantly remind my peers of the vast opportunities available at UEL and the funded internship scheme is always the first thing I mention."
Max
UEL Student
I've completed two internships during my time at UEL. One in the first year, and another in the second year. I've found both internships beneficial and valuable to my personal development. My favourite aspect of the internship was the mentoring scheme. Having someone to relay my plans and goals to was incredible and helped me solidify my plans. I would recommend the internship scheme to any UEL student."
Shewa
UEL Student
The UEL Internship Scheme provides an opportunity to engage with talented students, introducing new ideas and skills to our business. This year, we invited a UEL Creative Writing student, to join our marketing and operations team. Following a successful internship, we were pleased to offer him a permanent role."
Build Recruitment