A placement year, or year in industry, can be one of the most useful parts of your university experience. It gives you the chance to work full-time, build real skills and learn what a professional role is actually like.
It can also help you stand out when applying for graduate jobs later on. Some students even return to the same employer after university.
What is a Placement Year?
A placement year is a structured period of full-time work that forms part of your university degree. It usually lasts between 9 and 13 months and is often completed between your second and final year. Most placements start in the summer or early autumn.
While on placement, you usually earn a salary. You may also pay a reduced tuition fee to your university, often around 20% of the usual annual fee.
Why Complete a Placement Year?
A placement year can help you:
- Gain real workplace experience
- Build practical skills
- Improve your confidence
- Develop commercial awareness
- Grow your professional network
- Strengthen your graduate job applications
It is also a great way to test out a career path before you graduate.
It also often contributes credits to your final year (if you have a placement project).
Phase 0: Building Experience
If you are in your first year, it is not too early to start preparing.
Many employers offer Insight Programmes, insight days and short work experience opportunities. These can help you explore different industries and improve your chances of securing a placement the following year.
Before applications open, focus on building your experience. You could:
- Join a university society or committee
- Take on part-time work
- Volunteer
- Complete online courses or certificates
- Follow industry news
- Attend insight days or short internships
Small experiences can still make a big difference. Employers want to see that you are proactive, curious, have time management skills and willingness to learn.
If you’re unsure which skills employers value most, our guide on University to Workplace: Soft Skills That Make a Difference explains the transferable skills that help students stand out during applications and interviews
Phase 1: Preparation (Late Year 1 – Early Autumn Year 2)
This is the time to get organised.
Start researching:
- Placement roles that interest you
- Employers you would like to apply to
- Skills they ask for
- Key application deadlines
The earlier you start, the easier it will be when applications open.
Prepare Your CV
Tailor your CV for each role. Focus on your skills, work experience, education and extracurricular activities.
You can also ask your university careers service to review it. They can help you make it clearer and more targeted.
Before submitting applications, it’s worth reviewing some common mistakes students make. Our article 5 Graduate CV Mistakes and How to Fix Them highlights simple changes that can make your CV more effective.
Network with Employers
Do not rely only on online applications.
Attend careers fairs, employer presentations, insight events and networking sessions. These events can help you understand what employers are looking for and give you useful talking points for applications and interviews.
This will also set you up for your graduate job hunt.
Phase 2: Applications Open (September – November)
Many students think placement applications open later in the year. In reality, some large employers open their roles as early as August or September.
Popular schemes may recruit on a rolling basis. This means they can close once enough strong applications have been received. So applying early is key.
Prepare for Online Assessments
After applying, you may be asked to complete online tests such as:
- Situational judgement tests
- Numerical reasoning tests
- Verbal reasoning tests
- Logical reasoning tests
There are plenty of online resources that give you a change to practice these tests in advance to help you feel more confident.
Phase 3: Interviews & Assessment Centres (November – February)
At this stage, employers begin to assess candidates in more detail.
First-Round Interviews
These may take place by video, phone, online or in person. They usually focus on your motivation, communication skills and interest in the role.
Preparing answers in advance can help you feel more confident. Take a look at 40 Questions to Expect in a Grad Job Interview to practise some of the questions employers regularly ask.
Assessment Centres
Many employers also use assessment centres. These may happen near the start or end of the process.
They often include:
- Group exercises
- Presentations
- Case studies
- Interviews
- Networking activities
Assessment centres help employers see how you work with others, solve problems and communicate your ideas.
Be Patient
Recruitment timelines can vary. Some processes take a few weeks, while others take several months. It is normal to have different applications at different stages.
Expect Rejections
Large employers often receive hundreds of applications for each placement role, so rejections are part of the process. Try to treat each one as a chance to learn and improve your next application.
Every successful graduate has faced setbacks. If you’re struggling after an unsuccessful application, our guide How To Bounce Back After Job Rejection as a Graduate offers practical advice for staying motivated and moving forward.
Phase 4: Offers & Final Opportunities (March – August)
Some students receive offers early. Others receive them later in spring or summer.
If you have not secured a placement by spring, do not panic. Smaller companies, charities, local businesses and start-ups often continue hiring later in the year.
You can also contact companies directly if there is somewhere you would really like to work, or use any connections around you to see if there are any vacancy opportunities.
Pre-Employment Checks
After accepting an offer, employers may complete checks such as:
- Right-to-work checks
- Reference checks
- Background screening
- Security clearance, where needed
Employers aren’t expecting you to have 10 references, usually a line manager and an academic reference (like your course leader) will do. Once these are complete, you will be ready to begin your placement.
Final Thoughts
Securing a placement year is not about being perfect from the start.
It is about preparing early, gaining experience and staying consistent. The students who start early, speak to employers and apply in good time often give themselves the best chance.
Every experience you gain can help you move closer to the right placement.
Start early, stay organised and keep going.
For more advice on placement years and internships, explore our Placement Years and Internships guide.
