A Professional Training placement year enables you to gain confidence in handling new situations and experience in working with people in a professional business environment, as well as presenting you with a unique opportunity to mature and develop your professional identity.

Taking a placement improves your self-awareness and leaves you better prepared for the future challenge of selecting and pursuing your chosen career path.

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Placements must be at least 46 working weeks, commencing any time between July and September following the conclusion of your second year of academic study, and finishing the following summer.

You have the freedom to apply for any placements that interest you – the USBS does not assign students to organisations.

Every year we are notified of hundreds of placement opportunities by a wide range of employers. They are advertised on an online list and you can apply to as many as you like. You can also arrange your own placement with an employer not featured on our list, but any such placement can only go ahead with prior approval from the Business School.

Detailed support and guidance on the process of finding and securing a placement is provided via the Professional Training Orientation programme during the second year.

Placements undertaken by management students are wide ranging, reflecting the breadth of management programmes on offer and the career aspirations of the students.

We do not place limits on the size or nature of the organisation you choose to work for, provided the role itself provides the opportunity to gain experience relevant to your career aims. Nor do we limit the employers you can work for based on your chosen degree programme. This provides you with the opportunity to try things out to see what specific job roles and sectors are really like.

We strongly support the principle of paid placements, and would only approve an unpaid placement in exceptional circumstances.

All the placements we advertise offer a salary, and these currently range from £12,000 to £19,000.

Yes. A year abroad is an excellent way to aid your personal development and gain new experiences. Previous students have worked in The USA, Dubai, Germany and Ireland. You can go anywhere, provided the role is suitable, the destination is deemed safe and a tutor is able to visit you.

No. All management courses can be taken as a 3- or 4-year programme. The final decision on which route to take is made toward the end of the second year.

Yes. The USBS placement year is assessed through a written business report plus performance reports from your employer and academic tutor. The final mark counts for 10% of your final degree classification.

You will be assigned an academic tutor for the year, who will be contactable throughout the year to provide guidance and support. You will have 3 meetings with your tutor during the year.

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The Professional Training Placement scheme is optional for all USBS programmes. If you wish to take a placement year as part of your management course you should apply to be enrolled on a 4-year programme.