Psychology Placement Year
Co-ordinator: Dr Erica Cook
A great opportunity to explore where your career may take you, to boost your employability and to network with professionals within Psychology.
The Career and Employability Services within the UoB will support you every step of the way, from guidance around CVs and covering letters to assisting in finding or securing you a placement. The faculty and university really believe in the benefits to course and career outcomes; Darsh Hawtin, from the Placements team, told us a little more on how it affects university performance: "There is research to show undertaking a placement year will improve your academic outcomes as well as employment outcomes. 100% of our most recent psychology graduates that did a placement year achieved a minimum 2:1 classification, and 64% of those students graduated with a first-class honours' degree." In addition, 2 out of 3 graduate employers employ graduates that have already worked for them, and third of graduate employers report only recruiting graduates that have done a placement year.
One of our Psychology BSc alumni, had the following to say about her time as a research assistant within the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust:
“I do not want to exaggerate or sound like a cliché but this placement changed my life. The projects I worked on, weekly team meetings, the academic skills I developed, the support , the environment, the fact that everyone is equal there although I am surrounded with people with great academic achievements while I am just a student, the fact that I overcome my fears and insecurities for me is life changing. I am not the same person as I was last year, for sure this placement is beyond my expectations.”
Cristina Jianu, Psychology BSc
Here is a short testimonial from Nicki, one of our previous Forensic placement year students:
“My experience during my placement year enabled me to determine the route I would like to specialise in. Upon graduation I applied to do my postgraduate in Forensic psychology and am currently undergoing my postgraduate placement in a mental health unit which is also associated with my speciality. Placement year enabled me to progress this far, it was one of the best years I’ve had as a student. Each day I learned something new, you can never be prepared for what each day will bring, you learn so much during your experience and you also gain more confidence, so don’t hold back and just go for it. Placement year is definitely worth your time.”
Nicki Roopan, Forensic Psychology.
Talyia, a previous student from the Psychology, Counselling and Therapies course, had the following to say about her time on placement:
“My experience during my placement year at Bedfordshire Police was amazing. I produced work that was shared within and outside the force about serious subjects in relation to mental health. I was given the opportunity to experience what it was like to work in other departments within the force as well. Additionally, I met some wonderful individuals along the way and worked with the best team who were very supportive. The placement year allowed me to learn what it was like to work in the real world and have an impact on people's lives behind the scenes. At the same time, my confidence was growing, and I felt more assured with the direction I wanted to go in career wise. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and have since continued to be a volunteer. I truly recommend taking a placement year! It's been the best experience and I never wanted it to end... or leave!
Talyia Hildebrand, Psychology, Counselling and Therapies BSc
Examples of previous placement opportunities:
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Learn more about placement by contacting the Careers and Employability Service Placements team at cesplacements@beds.ac.uk
telephone
University switchboard
During office hours
(Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00)
+44 (0)1234 400 400
Outside office hours
(Campus Watch)
+44 (0)1582 74 39 89
Admissions
admission@beds.ac.uk
International office
international@beds.ac.uk
Student support
sid@beds.ac.uk
Registration
sid@beds.ac.uk