Timing

The period during which students must undertake their professional/industrial year is from completion of their examinations at the end of their 2nd year (1 July), to immediately prior to commencing their 4th year (31 August the following year).

Duration

During this 14 month period, the normal University requirement is that students will undertake a minimum of 46 weeks of employment (excluding holidays) in a relevant professional placement if paid: 30 weeks if unpaid (below £5,225). The student may also participate in a 'split placement', in which the student will spend one semester on Erasmus exchange at one of the Department's European partner universities and one semester (15 weeks) undertaking professional training.

Renumeration

The salary students will receive during their placement year will be negotiated between the employer, student and the Professional Placement Tutor.

In some circumstances, students may have to undertake an unpaid placement. Some professional areas which are of direct relevance to political science/international studies students cannot offer paid placements.

Those students in unpaid placements are dependent upon their student loan, part-time work and parental support where available. Students on placement will pay half the amount of the fees that they would normally be expected to pay - subject to the usual LEA assessment. Students on unpaid placements that conform with those stated in Schedule 5 of the grant awarding regulations will be able to apply for a full student loan, all other students will receive a half the amount of the loan to which they are entitled.