There has been a bit of buzz in the news recently about student placements. And if you’re thinking of further study in the future, there’s a chance you might have to take a placement as part of your course. But what are student placements? Why might you need to do one? And, importantly, are you paid for it? We’re going to cover all that and more in this blog – let’s take a look.
What is a student placement?
Student placements are a part of many degrees. They’re known by a variety of different names, such as:
- Work integrated learning
- Vocational placements
- Industry placements
- Practicums
Essentially, they’re a practical component of your studies – you go out into a real workplace and gain the experience you need for your future job.
In most cases, these placements are a mandatory part of a course. This means you need to complete one before you can graduate, just like you would a normal subject.
What are student placements for?
Student placements are typically part of courses that require some form of hands-on experience. They give you the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom in a real work environment. Often, courses have mandatory placements because it’s a regulatory or professional requirement to be qualified for a particular career.
Plus, they’re also a great way to see if you enjoy a particular job, or if it might not be right for you. Many students also make connections with the employer who ran their placement and find paid work with them after they graduate.
Which courses involve student placements?
Like we mentioned above, you usually need to undertake a student placement in more practical courses. Here are some course areas you can expect to do a student placement in:
- Medicine, dentistry, nursing, and midwifery
- Allied health
- Social and community work
- Teaching and education
- Engineering
- Veterinary studies
- Law
- Many vocational courses
This list isn’t exhaustive, and whether or not a placement is mandatory will come down to the individual educational institution.
Optional placements, such as internships or work experience, are typically more common in areas such as business and arts.
Are student placements mandatory?
In most cases, yes. Certain qualifications require you to complete a set amount of work or professional learning before you can graduate.
How long your placement runs depends on your course and professional requirements. They can vary in length from just a few weeks, up to an entire semester (or even a year). Sometimes you’ll need to complete a set amount of hours over a designated period of time.
If a placement is a mandatory part of a course, this information should all be detailed in the course handbook, including when you need to complete it by, how long it’s expected to be, and more.
Do you get paid to do a student placement?
Unfortunately, no.
In Australia, student placements can be unpaid according to the Fair Work Ombudsman, as long as they meet the following rules:
- A formal arrangement has been made, either by the educational institution or the student
- There is no employment contract between the student and host organisation
- The placement is a requirement for the course
- The educational institution is approved to deliver placements
In New Zealand, mandatory placements that are part of a course of learning are typically unpaid.
In the UK, students undergoing placements as a required part of their course are not entitled to pay, unless the placement is greater than a year in length.
In the US, practicums and placements are typically unpaid as long as the student receives academic credit towards their course.
Note that some employers may voluntarily elect to pay students on placements, but this is relatively uncommon. Students on placement may also be able to access other government financial support to offset the fact that they have less time for paid work than other students.
What makes them different from internships/work experience/etc.?
Student placement is a term typically used to describe a mandatory work placement a student must undertake as part of their course.
On the other hand, things like internships and work experience are usually optional or voluntary. But they still have many of the same benefits as a student placement, like applying your knowledge and skills in a work environment, and getting to experience a real workplace.
Internships and work experience are generally done outside of your course, and many students undertake them during their holidays. Student placements, on the other hand, form part of your course and are completed during the hours you’d usually be in class.
In a student placement, you’ll be expected to undertake the same tasks as any other employee. Conversely, interns and work experience students are typically only expected to observe or engage in work-shadowing.
How do I organise a student placement?
Your educational institution is generally the first place you should go to discuss your placement options. They are often able to connect you with potential organisations, fill out required paperwork, and guide you through the application process.
If you want to find a placement externally, make sure you do your research on the company, what they’re offering, and what’s expected of you before you apply.
Find out more
As always, get in touch with your chosen institution to learn more about your future study options. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about a particular course.
We also have lots of other blogs you might be interested in on our website here.