Work while you study

Placements

Placements offer you the opportunity to put your skills into practice, build up your professional network, develop your commercial awareness and potentially be fast-tracked to a graduate job.

A placement year is a structured work experience opportunity that can be integrated into your studies and is recognised within your degree title. Many organisations offer placement opportunities, and they are a great way to enhance your employability skills, strengthen your academic performance and give you a practical insight into the graduate job market.

Open to undergraduates and integrated Masters students, our Placement Year is designed to build your confidence and self-awareness. You'll develop your skills during, and through the reflection of, a minimum of nine months experience in a work-based context.

Before starting a placement that forms part of your course, you are likely to be asked by the placement provider to sign a confidentiality agreement. This is to ensure that you do not disclose any information that is confidential to the placement provider.

Year in industry

Some departments offer a year in industry as part of your degree, giving you the chance to gain hands-on industry experience specific to your area of study.

Search for a course with a year in industry

What our students say

Our blog is full of stories from different students sharing their experiences of being on a work placement.

Internships

Internships, work experience and virtual internships can offer the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and gain insight into a particular job or industry. We offer paid project-based internships with local employers, exclusively for York students.

Past internships have included developing a marketing strategy for Castle Howard, or working with the National Bee Unit at the Food and Environment Agency.

Part-time paid work

You might want a part-time job to gain more experience, learn new skills and strengthen your CV, or to contribute towards your study costs.

Finding work

There are opportunities that directly compliment your degree, such as assisting or participating in University research, but be open-minded when you are looking for a part-time job. You might think that working in shops, bars or restaurants won’t be valued by graduate employers, but this isn't true.

Employers look for candidates who thrive in any work situation and value the transferable skills you will develop: customer service, time management and communication skills, plus commercial awareness. The city of York also offers unique and exciting job opportunities: you could join the team of actors at York Dungeon, become a city tour guide, or channel your inner Viking at the JORVIK Viking Centre.

As a student, you will have access to Handshake, the digital platform where we advertise all part-time and temporary job vacancies we receive from employers. There are also opportunities for paid temporary work at the University, advertised on Handshake.

International students

Work regulations and/or visa restrictions may apply if you are an international student wanting to work during your studies.

Whatever your situation, our Careers and Placements team will be on hand to offer help and advice.

Find out more about working during your studies