Pre-study work placements
It is possible that some programmes may require you to prove you have completed a relevant pre-study work placement in order to be accepted onto the programme. A pre-study work placement allows you to learn the basics, while the practical knowledge acquired gives you a better understanding of the theoretical concepts involved in your subject. The length of the pre-study work placement can vary considerably depending on the higher education institution and programme: six weeks, three months, or sometimes even six months may be required. The period in which the work placement is undertaken also differs: as a rule, you need to have completed all of the pre-study work placement by the time your studies begin, but sometimes you need to have completed only part of it. Decisions about exceptional cases are always made by the institution.
You will need to show proof of the pre-study work placement in the form of a work placement certificate or evidence of activity from the firm at which you did your training. In some cases, a completed course of training in a job relevant to your chosen programme will be accepted as a pre-study work placement or partly counted against the required length of the work placement – this decision will be made by the higher education institution. More information about this can be obtained from the student advice service, from departmental subject advisers, or from special pre-study work placement advisers at some higher education institutions.
