It’s a common misconception that Master's courses are too short for you to undertake a placement. At BCU, we see placements as an important part of your Master's degree. Many of our Master's students are encouraged to take a Professional Placement route, this means that you can gain real experience in the industry and make connections to get ahead in your career.
1. Gain industry experience
The obvious reason for completing a postgraduate work placement is that you’ll gain invaluable experience in your chosen industry. We understand that in today's competitive jobs market, increasing numbers of employers expect new graduates to have substantial experience in the workplace. Gaining industry experience can be key in securing a graduate role and in giving you confidence in the working world.
2. Develop new skills
You’ll be learning lots of new skills on your Master’s course but it’s great if you can put these skills into practice. Being able to demonstrate how you’ve developed and used your skills in the workplace is key, especially if you want to work in an industry that’s new to you.
3. Make connections
Completing a professional placement means you can begin to get to know people in your chosen industry. Having strong connections can lead to lots of exciting opportunities once you graduate and knowing the right people can help you get your foot in the door.
4. Find your niche
It can be tough to narrow down what you want from a career, but completing a placement allows you to explore an area of your chosen industry. This is a great way to discover what makes you tick and what sort of role you’d like to work in once you graduate. Plus, having a specialism can help you choose a topic for your final major project or Master’s thesis and research this area in depth.
5. Receive support throughout the process
The supportive tutors and Careers+ team at BCU are there to support you throughout your Master’s Professional Placement journey. They can help you find a placement and support you in the application process.