Placements

Computer Science and Digital Technology placements give you the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills you learn on your degree into practice in a professional environment.

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 (£1850 as of 2022 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 for strong partnerships with employers and the success of our graduates, our Department of Computer and Information Sciences offers an incredibly strong and international industry network. Our students have benefited from working with household names like CERN, Nissan, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Procter & Gamble, Nintendo, Microsoft, Accenture 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.

Study Computer Science and Information Sciences

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Research Excellence Framework 2021

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Explore Campus Facilities

Get an insight into life at Northumbria with videos and 360 panoramas of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences.

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Computer and Information Sciences Courses

Computer and Information Sciences at Northumbria University encompasses all of our work in computer science, games, animation and digital visual effects, computer forensics and security, network technology, website development, library management and information sciences.

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Computer and Information Sciences Staff

Computer and Information Sciences students learn from the best – inspirational academic staff with a genuine passion for their subject. Our courses are at the forefront of current knowledge and practice and are shaped by world-leading and internationally excellent research.

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Undergraduate Open Day Events

Looking to study in with us in September? Our Undergraduate Open Day Events are the perfect opportunity for you to find out as much as you can about our wide range of courses and world-class facilities.