Develop Your Skills

Work Experience and Placements

Key Factors for Effective Placements

Identify the type of job role which best suits your needs. For example, If you are interested in advertising check out the job profiles and descriptions for different jobs in the sector to identify which is most likely to suit you.

Identify the type of employer you are interested in. For example, within an advertising role, you may enjoy working in the advertising department of a voluntary organisation rather than a commercial advertising agency

These decisions are both crucial and will also help you to make a convincing and personalised request to suitable organisations asking for placement opportunities.

Placement case studies

Click on the two case studies below to see how BSU students have benefitted from work experience and placements:

Case Study 1 - Jamie Finney (Ordnance Survey)

Case Study 2 - Stephen Davies (Spinnaker Sales)

Case Study 3 - Claire Way Bath Half Marathon (March 2011)

Case Study 4 - Larry Day's Work Experience at NME magazine

Research into graduate employability has consistently highlighted the importance of placements in preparing students, or in the case of mature students - re-directing them into their future careers.

A recent study called Higher Education: Higher Ambitions? Graduate Employability states:

"There is very strong evidence that practical work experience is key to early and appropriate employment for graduates"

The Importance of Work Experience in Today's Competitive Market

Why Work Experience is so Important

Current Opportunities

For information on finding a work experience placement please read the leaflet "Finding a Placement or Work Experience". But if we receive any extra information about finding a placement we will post it here.

Step Programme for Summer Placements

Useful Links and Resources

Finding a Placement or Work Experience

CareerHub for placements, work experience, part time and graduate jobs.

Gradsouthwest - for students and graduates in, from, coming or returning to the south west!

Just V is Bath Spa’s volunteering function. We offer a range of ways of getting involved in volunteering. These include placements in local organisations, one-off opportunities through Students’ Union societies, on-going student projects both on- and off-campus and even virtual opportunities (volunteering from your computer). We also advise on international volunteering. Finally, we provide training (through the Bath Spa Plus programme) and certificates (Just V’s Certificate in Volunteering Achievement) that enhance your employability.

Check out our web-pages for further details or email Just V Coordinator at justv@bathspa.ac.uk   

Prospects have information and advice on work experience. They also have a searchable database of employers offering work experience placements.

USArts
USArts International Training and Internship Program for the performing and visual arts and business management fields.

Step is a UK-wide programme offering undergraduates (2nd, peunultimate or final year students) project-based work within small to medium businesses. Regional and national locations offered.

www.e4s.co.uk
Student jobs, internships and graduate jobs

Do-It!
Voluntary jobs and placements

Pick up these directories and booklets from Bath Spa Careers (LY101):

  • GET employer directory
  • Prospects employer directory
  • Prospects Work Experience
  • Prospects Finalist
  • RealWorld Work Experience
  • Target Jobs magazine

Support for disabled students

Employ Ability
not-for-profit organisation dedicated to assisting people with all disabilities into employment.

Shaw Trust - Ability at Work
Internships and advice for disabled students and graduates

Toolkits for Success - a website with advice to help students with disabilities manage 'off site learning', including placements.

Contact us

If you’re a BSU student or recent graduate and currently seeking a placement, or would like advice on making the most of placements in general, please call in, we are open for quick queries every day from 10 - 5 and we hold Careers Clinics every afternoon from 2 - 4 , email us or call us on 01225 875525 to book an appointment with an Adviser.

Bath Spa University Graduate Internship Scheme Business? Get the graduate edge...

Bath Spa University has been successful in securing £80,000 of funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to support local and regional businesses who offer qualifying graduate internships throughout 2010.  Up to 50 part-funded internships are available.

The University’s Graduate Internship Scheme is part of an ongoing commitment to building lasting partnerships between business and education, and to supporting company growth in the South West whilst retaining talented practitioners within the area. 

Key features of the scheme:

  • Receive £100 per week towards the graduate's salary
  • lump sum up to £1,300 paid at the start of the internship
  • Funding available for 8 to 13 weeks full-time internships
  • part-time internships will also be considered
  • Applications particularly welcomed from digital/creative sector
  • Preference given to small businesses (fewer than 50 employees)

Download full details of the Bath Spa University Graduate Internship Scheme 2010:

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