Placements

Employers are looking for experience, as well as academic achievement in candidates and a 12 month placement is one of the best ways to gain such experience.

Why should you do a work placement?

Acquire real world experience.

Maximise your long term employability.

Develop key skills relevant to your subject specialism.

Extend your contact network.

Gain a higher degree classification through applying your experience.

Increase your starting salary.

Earn some money!

What does it involve?

Minimum of 40 weeks placement; usually paid and taking place after your second year of study.

Assessed via a portfolio including a log book and reflective report; the outcome is either pass or fail.

Optional Employment Skills Award for Placement endorsed by Northumbria's Careers and Employment Service.

Professional body recognition.

Normally 2 placement tutor visits if UK-based.

Placements undertaken worldwide.

What does it cost?

A reduced tuition fee (£1000 in 2014/15 but subject to change) covered by existing student finance/loan arrangements.

Most placements are paid with salaries of at least £12,700 per annum

Students doing unpaid placements for specified charitable organisations (check with Student Finance England) may be eligible to receive a maintenance grant or loan during their placement year. Please check which organisations this covers and be prepared to support yourself. 

What support is available?

A dedicated Placements Professional Support Team that, alongside the Careers and Employment Service, can offer guidance on a number of areas including CV writing, interview preparation, sources of vacancies and a rolling series of employer presentations.

Academic management of the scheme from a Placement Director, subject Placement Tutor and a dedicated Visiting Tutor.

Faculty Approvals Committee support to ensure placements comply with health and safety, risk assessment and insurance conditions.

Automatic enrollment on an eLearning Platform for advice and source of vacancies.

Because of our reputation, our partnerships with employers and the success of our graduates, we have an incredibly strong and international industry network. Our students have benefited from working with household names such as Sir Robert McAlpine, Faulkner Brown, Network Rail, Faithful & Gould, Barratt, Turner & Townsend, Laing O’Rourke and many more.  

Work placements are an invaluable opportunity to gain a real insight into the industry you want to work in. More than that, they strengthen your CV and provide you with your own priceless network of industry contacts.  To find out more visit the Placements Team in The Link, D Block, Ellison Building or email ee.placements@northumbria.ac.uk.

Explore all of our Architecture and Built Environment courses, as they offer a wealth of knowledge and exciting possibilities.