Faculty of Technology

Student Placements – Information for students

Why do a placement?

A placement can greatly increase your career prospects. Nearly half of employers rate relevant work experience as the most important thing that they look for in potential employees.

In addition to a sandwich degree students who successfully complete a placement in a relevant field to their degree will be eligible to apply for one of the following depending on their school/department:

• ICT Technician (ICTTech) or Engineering Technician (EngTech) - early professional accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for students of the School of Computing and School of Engineering.

  The University of Portsmouth is proud to be the first university in the country offering professional accreditation from the IET and IMechE to placement students. ICTTech and EngTech qualifications provide individuals with technical and specialist skills as well as interpersonal skills that are important to any organisation and working team. It also provides a recognised basis for progression to further professional qualifications such as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

• Diploma in Industrial Studies (DipIS) for students of the Department of Mathematics.

“Students studying for a Civil Engineering degree generally find a work experience placement to be of great benefit. The knowledge and experience gained solving 'real engineering problems' greatly assists students in understanding the theory taught at university. By applying their knowledge to practical solutions, students achieve a wider understanding of how Civil Engineers make a positive contribution to society.” - Marc Griffin, ICE South Branch Chair 2011/12

Benefits of doing a placement

A placement will give you the chance to:

• earn money! (Most placements are paid.)
• secure a graduate job - a number of our placement students are offered permanent graduate positions and work experience can give you the extra edge in the graduate job market.
• improve your employability - a good degree is not enough and you need work experience on your CV.
• put the knowledge you've gained on the first two years of your course into practice.
• enhance your final year of study and help you decide on subject options.
• improve your degree classification.
• develop soft skills such as time management, problem solving and team work which employers complain are often lacking in graduates.
• make contacts who may be able to help you get a job after graduation.
• gain a real insight into your chosen area and into how the business world operates.