Overview of Placement Support at Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is committed to enhancing students' employability through robust placement programs, internships, and career development initiatives. With a focus on practical experience, the university bridges the gap between academic learning and the professional world. Placements at CCCU are integrated into various degree programs, allowing students to gain hands-on skills, build networks, and boost their CVs. Whether you're studying education, health, business, or creative arts, CCCU offers tailored opportunities to prepare you for a successful career launch.

The university's Careers and Enterprise team plays a pivotal role in coordinating placements. They provide personalized guidance, from CV workshops to interview coaching, ensuring students are placement-ready. CCCU's location in Kent, close to London, facilitates partnerships with leading employers in sectors like healthcare, education, and media.

Types of Placement Opportunities

CCCU offers diverse placement options to suit different academic paths and career goals. These include short-term internships, year-long industrial placements, and voluntary experiences. Here's a breakdown:

• Summer Internships: Typically 8-12 weeks, these are ideal for gaining initial industry exposure. Available in fields like marketing, IT, and social work.
• Sandwich Placements: Integrated into three- or four-year degrees, allowing a full year in industry. Popular in engineering, business management, and nursing programs.
• Work-Based Learning Modules: Embedded within courses, these provide credit-bearing placements of 4-6 weeks, often with local SMEs or public sector organizations.
• International Placements: Through partnerships with global institutions, students can intern abroad in countries like the USA, Australia, or Europe, enhancing cultural competencies.
• Voluntary and Community Placements: Focused on social impact, these are common in education and social sciences, partnering with charities like Age UK or local councils.

For postgraduate students, CCCU emphasizes research placements and professional doctorates with embedded work experience, particularly in health and education sectors.

Key Faculties and Their Placement Highlights

CCCU's faculties excel in placement integration, with dedicated coordinators for each. Below is a table summarizing standout programs:

Faculty	Placement Focus	Partner Employers	Duration/Opportunities
Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Education	Teaching placements, media production	Local schools, BBC Kent, Canterbury Festival	10-week school placements; 6-month media internships
Faculty of Social & Applied Sciences	Forensic science, policing, social work	Kent Police, NHS Trusts, Victim Support	Year-long policing attachments; 100-hour social work modules
Canterbury Christ Church Business School	Finance, marketing, HR	HSBC, Kent County Council, local startups	Sandwich year options; 12-week marketing projects
Faculty of Medicine, Health & Social Care	Nursing, physiotherapy, paramedic science	East Kent Hospitals, South East Coast Ambulance	Clinical placements up to 2,300 hours over degree

These placements are often secured through university fairs, online portals, and faculty-specific events. Students in high-demand fields like nursing achieve near-100% placement rates, thanks to strong NHS collaborations.

Employability Statistics and Outcomes

CCCU boasts impressive employability figures, with 95% of graduates in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022). Placement participants see even higher success: 98% report improved job prospects, and many receive graduate offers from their placement hosts.

Key stats include:

• Employment Rate: 89% in professional roles, above the national average.
• Average Starting Salary: £26,000, with business and health graduates averaging £28,000+.
• Placement Conversion: 65% of students convert placements into full-time jobs.
• Sector Diversity: Graduates placed in public (40%), private (45%), and third sectors (15%).

The university tracks outcomes via alumni surveys, ensuring continuous improvement in placement quality.

Career Development Services

Beyond placements, CCCU's Employability Hub offers year-round support. Services include:

• One-on-one career consultations with advisors certified by the Career Development Institute.
• Workshops on LinkedIn optimization, psychometric testing, and networking.
• Annual Careers Fair featuring 100+ employers, from global firms like Deloitte to regional leaders.
• Mentoring programs pairing students with industry professionals.
• Online resources like the CCCU Jobs Board and virtual internships during holidays.

For international students, dedicated visa guidance ensures seamless placement participation. CCCU also runs Enterprise Challenges, where students pitch ideas to real investors, fostering entrepreneurial skills.

Student Success Stories

Take Sarah, a Business Management student who secured a marketing placement at a Kent-based tech firm through CCCU's portal. "The support from the Careers team was invaluable," she says. "My placement led to a permanent role post-graduation." Similarly, nursing student Jamal completed 2,300 hours in clinical settings, crediting placements for his confidence in patient care.

These stories highlight how CCCU placements transform academic journeys into career realities.

How to Get Started with Placements

To embark on your placement journey at CCCU:

1. Register on the university's MyPlacement portal during your first year.
2. Attend induction sessions and placement fairs in autumn term.
3. Build your profile with relevant skills via extracurriculars like the Student Union societies.
4. Apply early—deadlines for competitive placements are often 6-9 months in advance.
5. Seek feedback from the Employability team to refine applications.

With CCCU's emphasis on real-world readiness, placements are not just an add-on but a core part of your degree. Embrace them to unlock doors to fulfilling careers.