Industry placements
As a student in the School of Biosciences, the vast majority of you can undertake an industry placement, between years two and three of your degree, extending your degree to a four year programme.
- The year-long placement is open to you if you’re studying Agriculture, Plant Sciences, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Microbiology.
- It’s a unique opportunity to put theory into practice, gain practical experience and build further skills and competencies that will put you a step ahead on the graduate career ladder.
- The School Placement Team work with you in partnership to help you search for, apply for and secure a placement. We have excellent links with global organisations including:
- Food: Mars, Unilever, Mondelez, Quorn, Molsoon Coors, Dairy Crest, McCain
- Agriculture: AB Agri, KWS Seeds, McDonald's, BASF, Velcourt
- Animal: The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Chester Zoo, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
- Biotechnology & Microbiology: GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Kew Gardens, Medimmune, Long Clawson Dairy Ltd
- Environmental Science: ADAS, Delta-Simons, Mott Macdonald and Gatwick Airport
Emily Tyack, BSc Environmental Biology completed a year’s placement at Whitley Wildlife Trust at Paignton Zoo.
Everyone tells you that doing a placement will give you invaluable experience in your industry. Whilst that is true, your placement year can be so much more!
From 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday, I was expanding my experience within research science in one of the coolest workplace settings ever, then after work I was at the beach exploring with my workmates. It was such a great lifestyle, and I came back with a much better idea of what I wanted as a graduate.
How do placements work?
The year in industry takes place between years two and three of your undergraduate degree. Once you have secured a placement, the name of your degree programme will change to include the statement ‘with industrial year’, for example BSc Agriculture with industrial year. It will then become a four year course.
Pre-placement: A full programme of support is available from the School Placement Team to help you secure a suitable placement.
On placement: You become an employee of your chosen organisation, whilst remaining a fully registered student. You pay a reduced tuition fee to the University, are eligible to apply for student finance and in most cases receive a salary.
Post placement: We will support you to integrate back into your course including co-ordinating module choices and projects as appropriate for your programme.
Benefits
A year in industry is your chance to:
- develop your skills in an industry setting, whilst earning money, in most cases
- improve your employment prospects - many students secure a graduate job as a direct result of their placement year
- see the practical results of your learning and get a real insight into the industry
- make contacts and meet professionals
- learn about your strengths and weaknesses and where you would like your graduate career to take you
Student profiles and videos
Rupert Norman
BSc Microbiology
Rupert worked at Philip’s Healthcare, a diversified technology company.
Lauren Hladun
BSc Agriculture
Lauren took part in the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer training programme.
Maddie Cannon
BSc Crop Science
Maddie worked for CSIRO in Brisbane, Australia and East Malling Research, a major organisation in the UK for research on horticultural crops and plants and their interactions with the environment.
Samuel Jackson
BSc Food Science
Samuel worked at Mars chocolate, global manufacturer of brands such as Mars, Maltesers and M&Ms.
Dan Freeman
BSc Environmental Science
Dan worked at Bombardier Transportation, the UK’s last remaining train manufacturer.
Danielle Taylor
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Dani worked at PepsiCo, a multi-national food, snack and beverage corporation.
Natty Pinyopat
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Natty worked at Mondelez International, a multinational confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate, manufacturer of brands such as Cadbury, Philadelphia and Trident.
Chris Sorrell
BSc Environmental Science
Chris worked at Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s leading producers of aero engines.
Sam Weatherall
BSc Animal Science
Sam worked for Chester Zoo and was assigned to the Rhino section.
Bethany Morris
BSc Food Science
Bethany worked at Samworth Brothers, a large UK food company producing chilled and ambient foods.
Catherine Carville
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Catherine worked for Cereal Partners Worldwide, a joint partnership with Nestlé, manufacturing brands such as Shreddies, Cheerios and Shredded Wheat.
Jennifer Spencer
BSc Microbiology
Jennifer worked as a research and development microbiologist for GSK, a global healthcare company.
Toby Hodge
BSc Biotechnology
Toby worked for KWS Seeds, a plant breeding company and one of the world’s top seed producers.
James Huscroft
BSc Food Science
James worked at Campden BRI, an independent, membership based organisation that carries out research and development for the worldwide food and drink industry.
Harriet Bunday
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Harriet worked for Mondelez International, a multinational confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate, manufacturer of brands such as Cadbury, Philadelphia and Trident.
Eleanor Thompson
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Eleanor worked for GSK, a global healthcare company.
Zenia Jappinen
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Zenia worked for Nutricia, a leading medical nutrition company which develops and delivers nutritional solutions to existing and emerging health needs in disease and aging.
Nina Izquierdo
BSc Nutrition and Food Science
Nina worked for East End Health, now called Food Nation, an NHS response to address rising obesity levels in Newcastle.
Contact us
School of Biosciences Placement Team
Dr Judith Wayte and Mrs Rachel Jessop
Room A03, Main Building
The University of Nottingham
Sutton Bonington Campus
Loughborough, Leicestershire
LE12 5RD
Tel: +44 (0) 115 951 6171 / 16162
Email: biosciplacements@nottingham.ac.uk
@UoNBioscicareer