Industrial placements and internships
The
Department of Computer Science runs an industrial placement scheme for our
undergraduate students, which allows them to gain experience in the workplace
during their academic studies at university. We can also arrange internships that take place within the summer vacation for three months.
What are industrial placements?
Industrial placements (or sandwich placements) enable the student to try a career field before graduating and to put into practice some of the knowledge gained from their course.
All placements are carried out between the second and third years of their course. The placement year is treated as an assessed module of the course and is recognised as part of the degree.
Many placement students are offered permanent positions to return to after they have graduated as a result of their work in the placement and generally perform better in their remaining studies and achieve higher grades.
Placements begin in July for one year, with interviews beginning in the October of the preceding year.
Benefits for your organisation
When you take a student on an industrial placement, there are a number of benefits for your business:
- Employing a placement or work experience student can be viewed as part of the interview process for future company employees.
- You gain an intelligent, motivated, cost-effective labour resource with valuable skills, knowledge and fresh ideas.
- You pay two-thirds of a graduate salary for the placement student.
- Placement students are a low risk resource solution when forward load is uncertain.
- Development opportunities for current employees: for example, it allows opportunities for team leading.
- Students’ networks can enable further effective recruitment
- Engagement with the University can provide beneficial contacts and research
Want to know more?
We are always looking for new industrial partners, so if you would like to find out more, or get involved, you can contact our Industrial Placements Consultant, Paul Keeler, or telephone on 01904 325577.
Related Links
Quote from Pete Shaw, Software Team Leader on the GMPTE Tram OS Project at Thales, about Ralph Eastwood, one of our placement students:
Ralph has been an excellent team member developing software for the new Manchester Tram Operating System. He has been enthusiastic, adaptable, knowledgeable and quick to find solutions whatever the challenge.