Why take an intercalated year?

• An intercalated year provides an opportunity for you to gain employment experience in your area of interest
• Explore a subject or specialism in more detail and with hands-on experience
• You will enhance your employability by demonstrating to employers you are committed to a career in a specific area
• You will develop essential skills for employment in any sector including; communication skills; team working; problem solving; time management and negotiation skills
• Employers look for evidence of professionalism – the ability to adapt to a professional or business environment. Completing a work placement or year in industry will provide you with the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate these skills at the application and interview stage

Things to think about

Choosing to intercalate is a significant decision and there are a few of things to consider before you apply:

• The financial implications of another year before graduation.
• Re-joining your degree a year behind your peers.
• Is the location right for you? How will you cope with finding and changing accommodation?

Industrial Placement or Study Abroad

Most students opt to spend an year in a work placement - this is usually done through a limited 9-12 month contract. Some (typically large) companies have specific placement schemes, others treat intercalated students as any other employee.

Another option for intercalated year is to spend the year at a University in another country, and in the process experience a different culture and broaden one's academic experience.

Explore the two approaches further: