Gaining Experience

Benefits of getting Experience

Stand out from the crowd – if you have relevant work experience, you’ll have the CV and skills to prove you are a work ready graduate.
Build your professional network – you’ll meet lots of new people, develop essential professional contacts and build your confidence in the workplace.
Test drive a career idea – confirm you’d like to do a similar role in the future or realise that you’d like to do something else.
Put knowledge into practice – use your academic learning in a real-life working environment.
Enhance your final year grades – using the skills and experience gained from your work experience, you’re likely to improve your final year grades.

Work Placement

A work placement is a period of relevant, academically supervised work experience, assessed as part of a programme of study. There are many types of work placement, such as short term, virtual/remote, sandwich and internships – at home or abroad. The work placement will have learning outcomes attached to your module requirements as well as gaining relevant industry knowledge and insight.

Work Experience

Boost your work readiness with optional work experience relevant to your course and future career. Aim to gain experience during university through volunteering, part-time jobs, short-term opportunities, or freelance work.

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Finding Experience

Discover resources for finding work experience opportunities.

Student sat in USW Careers Service office talking to a Careers Consultant

Offered a Placement - What Next?

This page provides all the information and guidance you need to make the most of your upcoming experience.

Sandwich Placement

A sandwich placement, a year out in industry, is a validated work experience opportunity that forms part of a university degree programme, usually taken in the penultimate year of a four-year degree.

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Volunteering

Volunteering means giving your time to support an organisation, cause, or project without payment. In return, you gain practical experience, develop skills, explore career paths, and enhance your employability.

VEPs

Gain work experience from your laptop with our Virtual Experience Programmes (VEPs). These remote opportunities include industry projects or exercises that offer insights into specific roles.

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Global Opportunities

Studying, working or volunteering abroad offers the perfect opportunity to develop your career at the same time as travelling the world.

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Part-time Jobs

Part-time work is a great way to gain experience and earn extra income at the same time. Explore roles in various industries, develop new skills, and enhance your CV while working part-time.

Freelancing

Support, development and guidance for self-employment, freelancing and business startup - from idea stage to trading.

Wellbeing

Starting a new role can be exciting but also challenging. This page provides essential guidance to help you maintain your wellbeing during this transition.

Disability at Work

If you have a disability and are unsure about work experience or discussing it with employers, this page offers support, tips, and resources to help you navigate the workplace.

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Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You might need a DBS check for some placements. The type of check depends on the placement’s nature and location.