Industry Placements in the UK: What They Are and Why They Matter for Students

When you hear industry placements, structured work experiences built into university degrees that let students spend a year in a real job. Also known as placement years, they’re not internships you find on your own—they’re part of your course, often paid, and backed by your university. These aren’t just resume fillers. They’re the difference between graduating with a degree and graduating with a job offer.

Most sandwich courses, university programs that include a mandatory year-long work placement are in engineering, business, computing, and design. But they’re growing in fields like psychology, media, and even biology. Companies like Rolls-Royce, NHS trusts, and small tech startups all take on placement students. And it’s not just about getting experience—you get paid. Many students earn between £18,000 and £25,000 during their placement year, which can cover tuition or living costs back home.

What makes these placements different from regular internships? They’re longer, deeper, and tied to your academic progress. You’re not shadowing—you’re doing real work with real responsibility. Your university usually helps you find the role, checks in during the year, and even grades your performance. That means your placement counts toward your final degree. And when you graduate, employers remember you—not just your grades, but the projects you delivered, the problems you solved, and the team you worked with.

Not all degrees offer this. Some universities market themselves as having strong industry links, but if you don’t dig deeper, you might end up with vague promises. That’s why it’s critical to ask: What percentage of students actually get placements? Do companies hire them back? Is the placement paid? The posts below cut through the noise. You’ll find real examples of how students landed placements at top firms, how to spot a fake industry link, and what to do if your course doesn’t offer one but you still want the experience.

There’s also a hidden benefit: confidence. After a year in a real office, campus life feels different. You know how to speak to managers, manage deadlines, and handle workplace conflict. You stop asking, "Will this help me get a job?" because you already have one lined up.

Whether you’re choosing a university, switching courses, or wondering if a gap year is worth it, industry placements change the game. The posts here don’t just tell you what they are—they show you how to get one, how to make the most of it, and how to prove its value when employers ask, "What have you actually done?"