Placements

There's no better way to prepare for work than to experience it first-hand. That’s why we put so much time and dedication into our Social Sciences Placements Scheme.

You'll work alongside our Careers+ team to find the perfect company and role for you. It's the best way to gain a clear advantage over the competition, building your experience and your confidence by putting theory into practice in a real work environment.

Past placements have seen our students work with organisations such as the NHS, West Midlands Police, HM Prisons and Probation Services, Citizens Advice, local schools and youth mentoring services.

The school has also launched a new internship programme with Birmingham City Council, which will see 30 students a year join the council's Community Resilience, Housing Management and Organisational Development departments, working with senior staff on critical projects.

There are also opportunities for you to become involved as volunteer researchers on community projects.

Who can do a placement year?

Anyone! Each of our full-time undergraduate degree courses are available as a sandwich course and we encourage every student to take their third year as a placement year (making the degree a four-year course in total).

By choosing to take this route you will graduate as a highly employable, experienced professional with the competitive advantage of progressing from your work placement directly into your chosen career. You'll have work experience relevant to your career in Criminology, Psychology or Sociology, that you wouldn't have on a standard degree.

Undergraduate placement opportunities are advertised to our students any time between September and the following August.

Mishark's Story

Find out about Social Sciences student Mishark's placement, where he spent time at the East Birmingham Youth Offending Service. 

Student Stories

Avin Slojak

As an Honorary Assistant Psychologist, I worked with older adults in an inpatient unit who experience mental health difficulties which can impact their daily lives. During my placement, I gained multiple skills such as building working relationships, applying theoretical knowledge into clinical practice, managing tasks, and developing the understanding of assessment, formulation and intervention methods in psychology.

Jasanpreet Dhaliwal

I completed my placement at Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust within the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) department.

Being on placement I have learnt a great deal about the field of psychology. I have also been able to work alongside professionals within the service who are constantly working diligently to support children and young people overcome their everyday difficulties. I have also shadowed the work of clinical psychologists and therapists through 1:1 clinic meetings and group therapy sessions. I believe being on placement has been a highly rewarding and valuable experience.