Work Placement
Students on the School of Politics’ Degree Programmes have the opportunity to spend their third year gaining experience of working in a politics-related profession by undertaking a period of assessed professional training (the PT Year) lasting between 30 and 46 weeks. The field of politics encompasses a broad range of actors; hence employers can include providers from government, industry, commerce, NGOs or professional bodies, amongst others.
| Current and previous providers include Save the Children, IPSOS MORI, Cape Town Refugee Centre, Transport for London, GlaxoSmithKline, International School of Central Switzerland, The Shadow Defense Secretary's Office as well as a range of political parties (Conservatives, Labour and the Socialist Workers Party). |
Students will undertake a preparation programme which includes presentations, skills session (CV and Cover letters as well as interview techniques), a pre-placement briefing and a one to one meetings with the Senior Placement Tutor. Once on placement students will be visited by their designated Visiting Tutor who will discuss their progress, any challenges as well as their achievements. A student’s Visiting Tutor as well as the Senior Placement Tutor and their personal tutor are on hand to offer advice if needed. On the students’ return to University they will give a presentation in front of interested second year students concerning the benefits, challenges and experiences on placement.
Whilst a University degree opens many doors to careers, the experience and skills enhanced during Professional Training provide an extra dimension to the qualification by giving students an insight into their subject and career potential that cannot be gained from study alone. The direct experience gained in a professional environment strongly influences the subsequent selection of dissertation work and study in the Final Year. The positive results of Professional Training include a fresh interest in political/international studies, having seen its relevance in a working context. When seeking permanent employment, graduates with Professional Training experience display an unmistakable confidence and grasp of working life, as well as having a strengthened CV.
Work Placement FAQs
- Who organises the placement?
It is the student’s responsibility to find a placement. However the careers service is there to provide assistance on looking for placements as well as advice on writing a CV and covering letter. The School of Politics will also help you and provide you with any contacts that we may have.
- What type of placements can I do as part of my course?
The placement has to add value to your politics or politics/language degree. This does not however mean that it needs to be directly related to a political job. Also be creative! A career in politics does not mean that the only option available is to go and work for an MP. There are a variety of career paths including with charities, NGOs, the civil service and corporate companies as well as with political parties to name a few.
- Is a placement a compulsory part of the course?
For single honour politics students this is an optional pathway. For Politics/Language students you are required to take a Professional Training Year which can comprise a work and/or a study placement.
- Does the Professional Training Year count towards my degree classification?
No – it does not count towards your degree classification although for your degree to be awarded you need to pass the Professional Training Year.
- What is the duration of a placement?
For paid placements the minimum duration is 46 weeks and for unpaid it is 30 weeks. This excludes holiday. If you wish to combine a work placement with an ERASMUS exchange then the minimum duration is 15 weeks for unpaid and 23 weeks for paid work placements plus a one semester ERASMUS exchange.
- Can I do a work placement abroad?
For Politics/Language students you will need to do a work/study placement in a country with the target language. For all other students you can do a work placement abroad subject to the approval of the Senior Placement Tutor. If you wish to follow this option you will need to let us know as soon as possible in your second year.
Student Experience
| "the placement year has served to shape me as a student" Read more Oliver Deed, BA (Hons) Politics |
| "I relished the challenges and adventures my placement brought" Read more Lucy Doggett, BA (Hons) International Politics |
Staff Perspective
| "a work placement offers you the chance to set yourself apart by enhancing and developing your transferable skills" Read More - Dr Laura Chappell, Senior Placement Coordinator |
The 'Split Work Placement' and Study Exchange
It is also possible for students to combine a period in Professional Training (one semester) with study abroad under the Erasmus Scheme (one semester) with one of our International or European partner universities.
You also have the option of spending a full academic year at one of these institutions as an Erasmus or International study exchange student.