Begin your career in humanities, education or social sciences
Discover the benefits of a placement on a course such as Criminal Justice, Education, Languages, History or English Literature
You can boost your studies by taking a placement year on many of our humanities and social science sandwich degree courses.
When you do a placement year, you'll work for a business, charity or startup company. You can also work self-employed. Our previous students studying humanities or social science subjects have done placements roles such as English language assistant, education assistant, data analyst and forensic accounting assistant.
You'll get valuable experience on your sandwich year placement. You can also grow your professional network, enhance your CV and improve your chances of employment after graduation.
Undertaking a placement year enabled me to gain work experience and increase my employability whilst still a student. Heading abroad not only gave me the opportunity to travel halfway around the world to learn a second language but also to engage and immerse myself in the local culture and communities, an experience I could only dream about from Portsmouth.
Placement year job roles
The type of placement role you’ll apply for depends on your interests and career aspirations.
Some of the roles our students have done during their placement year include:
- Data analyst
- Research assistant
- English language assistant
- Restorative justice administrator
- Charity fundraising assistant
- Event management
- Fraud analyst internship
- Victim support caseworker
- Education assistant
- Translation assistant
- Youth worker
- Marketing, PR, social media
- Management trainee
- HR assistant
- Recruitment assistant
I completed a year-long placement year with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Arson Task Force. This allowed me to put into practise the knowledge I had acquired during my studies, at multiple fire scenes. I also developed personal and practical skills such as public speaking skills when I assisted in providing training for military personnel and firefighters.
Where you could work during your placement
Placement locations
- A+E Networks – an American broadcasting company
- Arab International Bank, Egypt
- Article 25 – a humanitarian architecture charity
- The British Council
- EdUKaid
- ENDA Third World, Senegal – an international organisation concerned with socio-economic, sanitary and social services that serve the poor
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car – a car rental company
- Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development (FORWARD) – an African women-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls
- Freedom from Torture – provides therapeutic care for survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK
- Global Giving – a non-profit organisation that provides a global crowdfunding platform for grassroots charitable projects
- Hammersmith and Fulham Council
- Havant and East Hampshire MIND – a mental health charity in England and Wales
- Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd
- Ibaraki University, Japan
- Impact Your World, Nigeria – an organisation working to raise purpose-driven leaders as change agents to transform society
- Institute of Economic Affairs, Ghana – a public policy think tank seeking to promote and engage in debates on key economic policy issues in Ghana
- Kent Refugee Action Network – a UK charity that supports young refugees and promotes racial harmony in UK communities
- King's Group School, Spain
- Latittude Global Volunteering – supported overseas volunteering opportunities across the world for 17–25 year-old's
- Medtronic – the world's largest medical device company
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Angola
- Riga City Council, Latvia
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
- SEK International Schools, Spain
- Southern Domestic Abuse Service – a provider of all services to those affected by domestic abuse, working with victims, perpetrators and the police
- Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner – an office that accounts for the performance of the police and makes them accountable to the communities they serve
- Tear Fund – a Christian charity helping communities overcome the worst effects of poverty and disasters
- Tools for Self Reliance – a UK-based charity working to help relieve poverty in Africa
- Unloc – a social enterprise organisation working in schools and colleges
- Winston Churchill School – a comprehensive, secondary school in Woking, England
- Women for Women International – a nonprofit humanitarian organisation that provides practical and moral support to women survivors of war
- YALI, Senegal – The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is an initiative of Barack Obama to support young African leaders in boosting growth and prosperity, strengthening the Democratic governance and improving peace and security in the African continent.
- Aurora New Dawn – a charity that gives support, advocacy and safety advice to victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking
- Avviso Media – helping marketers and company directors connect with customers and audiences through engaging content that delivers a return on investment
- Bradsfield Academy – a boarding and day school for 13–18 year old's
- The British Council – specialises in international cultural and educational opportunities
- Catch22 – building resilience and aspiration in people and communities through the social welfare cycle
- Citizens Advice Bureau – a network of 316 independent charities in the UK that give free, confidential information and advice about money, legal, consumer and other problems
- GlaxoSmithKline – a British multinational pharmaceutical company
- Gaucho Restaurants
- Meon Junior School
- Michael Page – a British-based recruitment business
- Motiv8 – improving opportunities for young people and families
- Otra Cosa, Peru – a non-profit dedicated to advancing the education possibilities and resources for people living in lower-income communities in Huanchaco, Trujillo on the coast of Northern Peru
- Pizza Express
- Portsmouth College – a sixth-form college in Portsmouth
- Prospect Soft – a UK based CRM and eCommerce company
- Prysmian Group – an Italian multinational corporation that manufactures electric power transmission and telecommunications cables and systems
- Silcester Primary School
- Victim Support – delivering tailored support to help people recover from the effects of crime and traumatic events, and speaking up for victim's rights in the criminal justice system
- Youth Employability Service – offering free careers and employability support to 16–19 year-old's living in Brighton and Hove who aren't in education, employment or training
- Babylangues, France – a provider of English-speaking nannies, baby-sitters and tutors
- Busy Bees Academy, Gran Canaria – and English academy for young children
- Cesag, Dakar – the African Center for Higher Studies in Management
- Le College Bilingue, Dakar
- Ecole Renaissance des Sourds, Dakar
- Ecole Saint Cyprien, France
- Entrelenguas, Ronda – a language experience company offering Spanish classes, tours and activities and cultural events
- HMY Group, France/Germany – offering integrated solutions for engineering, manufacturing and fitting retail furniture
- Mediterranean Hotel, Malaga
- M.E.P. Europrojects Granada – a private training organisation aimed at organising and implementing different European projects in Granada
- Kings Language Academy, Valencia
- Seiha Network, Japan – a network of private English conversation schools
- University of Salamanca, Spain
- Bedfordshire Police
- Bristol Magistrates
- City Year – youth and education charity for full time volunteering within English schools
- Hampshire Constabulary – the police force for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
- Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Harrow Council Anti-Fraud
- Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service
- HM Revenue & Customs – a department of UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes
- KidsOut – a UK charity that works to bring positive change to disadvantaged children
- National Citizen Service – a voluntary personal and social development programme for 15–17 year old's in England and Northern Ireland
- Norfolk Coroners Service
- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) – an independent producer of official statistics and the recognised national statistical institute of the UK
- Pompey in the Community – the charitable arm of Portsmouth Football Club
- Portsmouth Museum
- Slough Homeless Our Concern (SHOC) – a day centre for homeless or vulnerable adults
- St John Ambulance
- Thames Valley Police
- Two Saints – homeless services including accommodation with support and resettlement
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice – the Criminology Department at the University of Portsmouth
- Why Me? Restorative Justice
I believe this experience has expanded my knowledge and critical thinking when assessing evidence potential at crime scenes and also formulating strategies proportional to the circumstances of each case. The main reason why I chose this placement was to elevate my understanding even further regarding the tasks of a CSI within the Criminal Justice System. I also knew it would enhance my career prospects in a positive way.
Browse our courses
Are you ready to increase your employment opportunities and strengthen your skills by doing a sandwich year degree? Browse our placement degree courses now.
Contact Us
To get in touch, please contact our Faculty placement office.
Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 6179
Email: hums-placements@port.ac.uk
Work experience opportunities
As a Portsmouth student, you'll get lots of work experience opportunities to try out job roles, apply your skills to different sectors and increase your employability.
Volunteering opportunities
Discover the benefits of volunteering for a charity or not-for-profit whilst at university. Find a role that matches your interests and career ambitions.
Student startup advice
If you've got a passion for entrepreneurship and a great idea for a new business, we can help you get up and running.
