Degree with Placement Year

Undergraduate students can switch to a Degree with Placement Year.

People sat in an office working at their desks
Off

An undergraduate Degree with Placement Year includes a placement year which will last a minimum of 38 weeks. This provides an excellent opportunity to apply what you’ve learnt in your course and gain invaluable workplace experience, enhancing your employability prospects once you graduate. Placements are not guaranteed but as a department we will do everything we can to help you secure one.

  • For BA Geography and Planning or BA Urban Studies students the placement year will take place between your second and final year.
  • For MPlan Urban Studies and Planning students the placement year will take place either between your second and third year or between your third and final year. 

The successful completion of your placement will change your degree title to recognise this e.g. 'BA Urban Studies with Placement Year'.

Further information on placement opportunities

Application process 

Rather than applying for a Degree with Placement Year through UCAS, you apply for your standard course and then transfer onto the Degree with Placement Year once you have secured your placement.

Fees

Students pay a substantially reduced fee to the University during their placement year. You can undertake a placement within the UK or internationally.

Support

Students are required to source their own placements, but our Employability Manager will remain in contact with you throughout your placement year in order to ensure the placement runs smoothly. 

Placement examples

In previous years students have carried out placements with a variety of public and private sector organisations including:

  • Local planning authorities and private organisations in London and Cambridge
  • Private planning organisations in London
  • Transport for London
  • Local housing associations
Student Maisie on her placement

I wanted to get some experience of how planning works in real life

Maisie Colloby BA Geography and Planning with Placement Year

Maisie undertook a placement year, which helped her to better understand what she wanted to do in her future 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.