Placements
Overview
As part of the University of Warwick Graduate Scheme, the Graduate Management Trainees undertake three placements to give them exposure to a range of different areas of the University. One of these placements is in a local Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) or charity, giving our local community a chance to benefit from this scheme and for our Trainees to bring this experience back to Warwick. Hear from our previous Graduate Management Trainees about their placement experiences.
Key dates
- Placement one: October 2027 – May 2028 (internal placement)
- Placement two: June 2028 – January 2029 (external placement in a SME or charity in Coventry or Warwickshire area - must be within 20 miles of Warwick University main campus)
- Placement three: February 2029 – September 2030 (internal placement)
Internal Placements - University of Warwick
*** Expressions of Interest are Currently Closed ***
Our Graduate Management Trainees complete placements across the University, gaining experience in a variety of roles and projects while studying towards a project management qualification.
Placements should provide meaningful project-based work, ideally including some higher-level responsibilities in the trainee's final placement. Trainees are available four days per week, with flexibility required around their learning commitments.
There is no cost to departments, as the scheme, including trainee salaries, is fully funded.
HEIF Funding Requirements
As the scheme is funded through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), placements must:
- Involve collaboration with at least one external organisation.
- Include two-way knowledge exchange.
- Deliver social and/or economic benefits beyond the University.
These requirements help ensure placements provide valuable development opportunities while creating wider impact.
Next steps
Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest
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Review the Expression of Interest Form and consider whether your department has the capacity to host a Graduate Management Trainee for eight months in a project-based role.
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Attend the optional online information session and read the University of Warwick Graduate Scheme Guide.
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Ensure you can offer a project (or projects) that involves collaboration with an external organisation and includes a knowledge exchange element. This is an essential requirement of the HEIF funding that supports the scheme.
Please note: If your department has previously hosted a Graduate Management Trainee, the proposal must be for a different project.
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Complete the Expression of Interest Form and email it to gradscheme@warwick.ac.uk.
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All submissions will be reviewed to ensure they meet both the required level of experience for the trainee and the HEIF funding criteria. Where necessary, departments may be contacted to discuss amendments.
Step 2: Placement Selection
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Graduate Management Trainees may contact departments to discuss placement opportunities before submitting their top three preferences.
Please note: We expect to receive more project proposals than there are trainees available.
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Placement allocations will be confirmed and outcomes communicated to all departments.
Step 3: Outcome and Preparation
- All departments will be notified of whether their proposal has been successful.
- Successful departments will be required to attend an online briefing session covering the operation of the scheme and next steps.
- The designated Placement Manager and Administration Buddy must attend this session.
External Placements: Expressions of Interest Currently Closed
Supporting and working alongside our local community is a key priority for the University of Warwick. As part of our Graduate Management Trainee Scheme, we partner with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and charities across Coventry and Warwickshire (within a 20-mile radius of the University of Warwick campus) to offer valuable project-based placement opportunities.
We are seeking organisations that can provide meaningful project experience, a supportive working environment, and the opportunity for Graduate Management Trainees to apply and develop their project management skills in a real-world setting.
In return, your organisation will benefit from the contribution of a skilled Graduate Management Trainee working as a Project Officer for 3.5 days per week over an eight-month period. Graduate Management Trainees remain employed by the University of Warwick throughout the placement, and 100% of their salary costs are covered by the University.
We also welcome joint applications between an external organisation and a University of Warwick department. In these arrangements, the Graduate Management Trainee would divide their time between both organisations. This flexible approach is designed to support organisations that may not have the capacity to host a trainee for the full 3.5 days per week while still enabling them to participate in the scheme.
What Makes a Good Placement?
A successful placement is one that benefits both the Graduate Management Trainee and the host department or organisation. High-quality placements should offer challenging yet achievable projects that provide a broad and enriching experience, while meeting the requirements of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) for internal placements.
We recommend that each placement includes the following elements:
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A substantial project (or projects) led by the Graduate Management Trainee, designed to span the eight-month placement period. The project should have clear objectives, tangible deliverables, and measurable outcomes for which the trainee has ownership and responsibility. Opportunities to develop skills in stakeholder management, project delivery, and data analysis should form a key part of the role.
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A range of shorter-term activities and responsibilities that complement the main project and broaden the trainee's experience.
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Exposure to day-to-day operational work, enabling the trainee to contribute to the wider objectives of the team and gain insight into organisational processes and priorities.
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Appropriate support and development opportunities, including regular guidance, feedback, and mentoring to help the trainee achieve their objectives and build their professional capabilities. Further information on the expected soft skills and project management competencies can be found in the Expression of Interest form.
Frequently Asked Questions - check out our FAQs.
Any questions, please email gradscheme@warwick.ac.uk
Quick Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQS.
Any questions?
gradscheme at warwick dot ac dot uk