An industrial placement is a validated work experience opportunity that is assessed and accredited towards your Imperial degree classification. Often referred to as a ‘year in industry’ or ‘commercial placement’, industrial placements are an opportunity for you to put into practice your academic skills and knowledge within a professional setting.
Most departments at Imperial now offer the opportunity to undertake an industrial placement. If you are unsure whether you are currently registered on a course that includes an industrial placement, please contact your relevant department admissions team.
The length of the placement varies depending on your course, with most being either 6 or 12 months.
Each department will have selected placement eligibility criteria, however it is generally expected that you will undertake your opportunity with an external employer. Your department may also give you the option to undertake research projects or research abroad placements. A full list of options can be found on the Placements webpage.
Should I do an Industrial Placement?
Whilst there are many benefits to completing a placement, you should carefully consider whether this is the right pathway for you.
Most placements will run over the summer vacation period and restrict your ability to complete a summer internship. Some sectors, such as investment banking, will recruit many of their graduates directly from their summer interns. As a result, you should consider your future career plan and whether you need to do a summer internship instead. You should also explore whether you could meet your department criteria for the industrial placement within your interested sector, for example a computing placement in investment banking.
Location is an important consideration as you may be expected to move anywhere in the UK for your placement. If you are renting accommodation in the private sector, ensure you sign an appropriate length of lease to fit in with your placement plans. Please review the Student Union advice on housing for further considerations.
The application process for placements is likely to take place during term time and therefore it is important to consider how you will balance this with your studies. Although it is your responsibility to find and secure a placement, your department will offer guidance and we at the Careers Service have a wealth of resources to support you.
To discuss whether an industrial placement is the right decision for you, please book an appointment via JobsLive.