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Overview of Placement Opportunities
The University of Gloucestershire is committed to enhancing student employability through robust placement programs. Our placement services are designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional experience, helping students gain practical skills and industry connections. With a focus on real-world application, placements are integrated into many undergraduate and postgraduate courses, particularly in fields like business, media, education, and health sciences.
Whether you're seeking a summer internship, a year-long industrial placement, or part-time work experience, the university offers tailored opportunities to suit your career goals. Our dedicated Careers and Employability Service supports over 90% of students in securing relevant placements, contributing to high graduate employment rates.
Types of Placements Available
- Sandwich Placements: Full-year work placements integrated into three-year degree programs, allowing students to alternate between study and employment. Common in business management, computing, and engineering courses.
- Internships: Short-term opportunities lasting 8-12 weeks, often during summer breaks. These are ideal for gaining entry-level experience in sectors like marketing, journalism, and environmental sciences.
- Work-Based Learning Modules: Credit-bearing placements embedded within the curriculum, such as 10-week projects in social work or teaching assistant roles in education programs.
- International Placements: Opportunities abroad through partnerships with global organizations, including Erasmus+ funded exchanges in Europe and beyond.
- Volunteering and Part-Time Roles: Flexible options to build skills in community settings, often leading to paid positions.
Placements are available across all four campuses in Cheltenham, Gloucester, and London, with a strong emphasis on regional employers in the South West of England, including tech hubs in Bristol and creative industries in the Cotswolds.
Support Services for Placements
The university provides comprehensive support to ensure students thrive during placements. Our Careers and Employability Team offers personalized guidance from the first year onward.
Service | Description | Availability |
---|---|---|
CV and Interview Workshops | Interactive sessions to refine application materials and practice interviews with mock assessments. | Year-round, with drop-in clinics every weekday. |
Job Fairs and Employer Events | Annual careers fairs featuring 100+ employers, plus virtual networking events. | Twice a year (autumn and spring). |
Placement Matching Portal | An online platform listing thousands of opportunities, with filters for sector, location, and duration. | Accessible via student portal 24/7. |
Mentoring Program | Pairing with alumni and industry professionals for advice and referrals. | Opt-in from second year. |
Funding Assistance | Travel bursaries and paid placement incentives up to £1,500 for eligible students. | Application-based, termly deadlines. |
Additionally, academic tutors collaborate with placement supervisors to align experiences with learning outcomes, ensuring placements contribute to degree classifications.
Graduate Outcomes and Success Stories
According to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey (2022), 95% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating, surpassing the national average. The average starting salary for placement participants is £25,000, with many securing roles in top firms like BBC, KPMG, and local SMEs.
- Business School: 85% placement uptake, leading to roles in finance and consulting. Example: A marketing student placed at a Gloucester-based agency now works as a digital strategist.
- Media and Creative Industries: High success in film and journalism placements, with alumni at Sky Sports and The Guardian.
- Health and Social Care: NHS partnerships provide clinical placements, resulting in 98% employment in healthcare sectors.
- Computing and Technology: Collaborations with tech firms like Dyson offer coding internships, boosting employability in cybersecurity and software development.
Success stories highlight the impact: Sarah, a psychology graduate, credits her six-month placement at a mental health charity for her current role as a counselor. Similarly, engineering students often transition directly into graduate schemes post-placement.
How to Maximize Your Placement Experience
To make the most of placements, start early by attending orientation sessions and building a professional LinkedIn profile. Engage with the Student Employability Award scheme, which recognizes proactive students with certificates and enhanced CVs.
International students receive extra support, including visa guidance for placements. The university's Placement Guarantee ensures alternatives if initial choices fall through, maintaining a 100% satisfaction rate among participants.
In summary, placements at the University of Gloucestershire are a cornerstone of our employability strategy, equipping students with the skills and networks needed for thriving careers. For more details, visit the Careers Service or contact employability@glos.ac.uk.
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