Sandwich Courses UK: What They Are and How They Boost Your Career

When you hear sandwich courses UK, a type of university degree that mixes academic study with a paid work placement year. Also known as placement year degrees, they’re designed to give you real-world experience before you graduate—without extending your degree by too much time. Unlike regular degrees where you spend all four years in lectures and libraries, sandwich courses slip in a full year of paid work in your industry, usually between your second and third year. This isn’t just an internship. It’s a full-time, paid role with real responsibilities, often leading to a job offer before you even finish your degree.

These courses are offered across many fields—engineering, business, computer science, media, psychology, and more—at universities like Coventry, Surrey, Manchester Met, and De Montfort. The work placement, a mandatory, year-long professional experience integrated into the degree structure is coordinated by the university, so you don’t have to hunt for it alone. Employers know these placements are structured and reliable, so they often recruit directly from them. In fact, students on sandwich courses are more likely to get a job within six months of graduating than those on traditional degrees, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The UK higher education, the system of universities and colleges in the United Kingdom offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees system supports these programs because they help students graduate with not just a degree, but a proven track record. You’ll build a CV that stands out, learn how offices and labs really run, and figure out what kind of job you actually want. Plus, you earn money during that placement year—some students earn between £18,000 and £25,000, which can help cover tuition or living costs later.

It’s not all smooth sailing, though. You’ll need to manage your time well, handle workplace pressure, and sometimes relocate for your placement. But if you’re serious about getting hired after graduation, this is one of the smartest moves you can make. The university degree with work experience, a structured academic program that includes a substantial professional placement as part of the curriculum isn’t just a trend—it’s a practical path for students who want to skip the entry-level struggle.

Below, you’ll find real guides from UK students who’ve been through it: how to nail your placement interview, how to balance work and study, what to do if your placement doesn’t go as planned, and how to turn that year into a full-time job offer. Whether you’re thinking about applying or already in the middle of your course, these posts give you the no-fluff advice you actually need.