Wednesday, 03 September 2025
Ulster University is seeking businesses to provide valuable placement opportunities for undergraduate students. These roles offer hands-on experience across various sectors and support students’ professional development. Placements typically last 25–48 weeks, beginning in September. Join us in shaping future talent and help develop the next generation of skilled professionals.
Is your business ready to shape future talent?
Ulster University is encouraging businesses and organisations to offer work placement opportunities to undergraduate students entering their third year, and currently has a number of students seeking placement this September.
These placements are a key part of students’ professional development, and contribute towards the award of a Diploma in Professional Practice (which is granted alongside their degree).
Placements must last a minimum of 25 weeks and up to 48 weeks, covering at least 125 days of full-time work. Most students begin in September and complete their placement by June, although there is flexibility with start and end dates.
Whilst the University currently has placement opportunities available, they are also keen to encourage businesses and organisations to consider opportunities for 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years.
Each year, students secure placements across a wide range of sectors including the Civil Service, environmental consultancies, NGOs and charities. Common roles involve GIS work, field surveys, data analysis, lab-based research, sustainability projects and developing educational and communication materials.
The University’s position is that students undertaking graduate-level roles are paid, with minimum wage considered acceptable. While some students may choose voluntary placements to gain specific experience, these can be challenging for students to sustain financially.
Recruitment typically begins in January and continues into the summer, with some students still seeking placements as late as September. Employers can advertise opportunities directly to students through the University’s Handshake system, as well as through school-specific channels such as the website and social media.
Ulster University welcomes all forms of employer support, and encourages any organisation with capacity to offer placements or relevant experience to get in touch and help support the next generation of skilled professionals.
For more information, please contact w.forsythe@ulster.ac.uk or sjp.mckenzie@ulster.ac.uk.
