
Work while you study
Develop skills that are valued by employers by taking a placement year, a summer internship, or part-time or casual work.
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.
Related links
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.
What our students say
Our blog is full of stories from different students sharing their experiences of being on a work placement.
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Reflections on placement life at York: five months in
Posted by Iona on 2 February 2023 Hi everyone! I’m Iona, and I study Social and Political Sciences with Philosophy at York. I’m now on my placement year at GSK. I’ve…
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ETAS Scholarship – my experience
Posted by Vivek on 31 January 2023 Hi, I’m Vivek! I’m in the second year of my Computer Science degree. Today, I want to share with you my experience of the…
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Is a Linguistics placement year for you?
Posted by Emma on 23 January 2023 While many of my course mates were looking for their year-abroad opportunities, a year in another country wasn’t an easy option for me. I…
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My week as a 2nd-Year Nursing student on placement
Posted by Izzy on 16 January 2023 Monday – night shift We are starting the placement week off strong with two night shifts! I have a love/hate relationship with night shifts…
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My Summer Internship – what I’ve learned so far
Posted by Anjali on 1 August 2022 Hi! I’m Anjali and I’m currently on a 3-month summer internship with Auto Trader as a Business Development Intern in Manchester. I’m studying Politics…
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My Pre-Placement Thoughts
Posted by Emma on 19 July 2022 The idea of a year in industry or a placement year can be a daunting prospect. So hopefully, this blog will go some way…
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.
As I was aiming for a career in finance, I applied to Key Capital Partners predominantly to develop my CV and to gain insight into a sector I knew little about, making me a stronger candidate for future job opportunities.
Not only did the internship offer me countless valuable skills, and insights into the different aspects of UK investment, but the KCP team took time to actively discuss their work with me and advised me on future career paths available. The team also put me in touch with recruiters at larger companies that may be able to offer me graduate opportunities going forwards.
Thomas, MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics
Study, work, or volunteer abroad
We have links with top academic institutions and employers all over the world. Expand your horizons and prepare for a career in a global job market.
This global experience does not necessarily have to take place abroad, there are also ways to get involved here in York.

Students at 'Scrapfest' semester abroad in Michigan, 2019
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.