Getting hands-on with work placements

Rosie Applied Social Sciences Student on Placement
Rosie
Alumna
BA Applied Social Sciences
Rosie, pictured on the left with fellow student Amy, took part in our work placement scheme at DB Cargo UK Ltd.

During my time at DB Cargo Ltd. I worked alongside another student on placement, Amy, conducting two research projects surrounding the digitalisation of the railway company. DB Cargo UK recently created the Digitalisation Team who aim to transform the business through embracing change and new technologies. 

Our first research project centers around employees' opinions surrounding digital adoption and the transformation of the company. We conducted a survey which investigated employees adopting digitalisation into their daily work tasks. Our second project specifically focused on the main software which the business uses to plan train diagramming, finance and controlling trains.

Our workdays were often hybrid, in the office one to two days per week for meetings, workshops, meeting employees and conducting face-to-face research. The rest of the week we were working remotely, focussing on creating resources for the research projects including surveys, consent/information forms and interview schedules. I really enjoyed this industry placement, particularly because of the freedom we were given - although supervised, we were given free range on how we conducted the two research projects.


I would recommend any student thinking about applying for a work placement to give it a go! It has opened my eyes as to how my practical degree can be applied to real world settings.

Rosie

BA Applied Social Sciences


It has made me realise how my degree in Applied Social Sciences can be used and the extent of the skills which the SMI department teaches make us employable. 

Image of Charlie SMI Alumus sat in his office

Mae & Charlie are here to tell you more about Applied Social Sciences

Applied Social Sciences student Mae and alumnus Charlie will tell you what they enjoy most about the course, what skills they have learned and how it has helped develop their career.

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.