Please note: These FAQs are specific for Undergraduate students, students who are registered on the Postgraduate Year in Industry programme should use the Postgraduate FAQ sheet found here as the policy/procedure differs slightly.

What modules will I be registered to during my placement year?

During the placement you should complete COMP299 Industrial Placement module worth 120 credits.

What assignments will I need to compete during my placement year?

The placement experience module (COMP299) will be assessed in the following way:

Introductory Report (15%) A 3-page report outlining the employer as well as any plan for the year. Deadline: Typically, the beginning of January.
Performance/Log Book (35%) Based on log book activities and discussion with the industrial supervisor Deadline: an up-to-date version 1 week before the first visit (not graded) as well as the final version 1 week before the second visit.
Oral Presentation (25%) A 15-minute presentation summarising the placement activities. Deadline: The deadline for the Oral Presentation is related to the second visit. The second visit should be at least 2 weeks before the dissertation deadline and must be during the placement.
Dissertation/Final Report (25%) A 7-10k word reflective portfolio detailing activities during the placement. Deadline: Typically, the beginning of August.

How long should my placement be?

Your placement should last between six months (26 weeks minimum) and one year (52 weeks maximum).

Should I be paid for my placement?

Yes, a student should be paid at least the living wage for it to be accepted, students cannot complete an unpaid internship as part of the programme.

When can I begin my placement?

You can begin your placement following the release of your Semester 2 results in July.

When is the latest my placement can finish?

Your placement should be completed by September 2025 at the latest.

What kind of role should I apply for?

The role should be related to Computer Science and take place in an appropriate IT environment. If you are unsure if your placement suitable for the programme, please contact us at CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk or contact the UG Year in Industry coordinator Dr Rasmus Ibsen-Jensen (R.Ibsen-Jensen@liverpool.ac.uk) who will be able to advise you.

Is there any support offered by the University to find a placement?

Yes, students can utilise the Careers & Employability Team (careers@liverpool.ac.uk) who can assist you in finding and securing a placement. They also host various events throughout the year such as networking and skills workshops to assist you. We also post any opportunities shared with us to our Careers Resources Canvas page here.

Potential placements are asking me for a letter confirming the parameters of the Year in Industry placement, where can I get this?

Yes, the Computer Science Department can provide a letter confirming the structure of the Year in Industry programme and that you are able to work full-time during your placement year. Should you require a letter, please contact the Student Experience Team (CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk).

How do I confirm my placement with the University?

If you have received an offer from a potential placement, please send this over to the Student Experience Team (CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk) for us to approve. You should also remember to update your HandShake profile, for further information regarding HandShake please contact the Careers and Employability Team (careers@liverpool.ac.uk).

What information does the University need to confirm my placement?

Students need to provide the following information to CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk:

Your full name:
Your Student ID number:
Name of company:
Placement address:
Line manager name:
Line manager details (phone number and/or email address):
Placement start date:
Placement end date:
A copy of the contract or offer letter

If you only have some of this information, please send this and confirm the rest at a later date.

What support will I receive form University whilst I’m on my placement?

Whilst you are on your placement, you will be allocated an academic member of staff as a placement supervisor. Your placement supervisor will be your first point of contact to arrange assignments and deadlines. You will also still have access to the Universities wider Student Support Services which can be viewed on our webpage here https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/studentsupport/..

I have questions regarding my visa and how this is affected by the Year in Industry programme.

You can contact the International Advice and Guidance Team (iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk) who can offer advice regarding your visa. Please note that the department is unable to advise regarding visa aspects.

I have questions regarding the fees associated with the Year in Industry programme.

You can contact the Fees Team (feesenq@liverpool.ac.uk) who can advise regarding your tuition fees. Please note that the department is unable to advise regarding fee aspects.

What happens if I don’t secure a placement?

If you do not secure a placement, we will automatically transfer you to the equivalent one-year programme in September if you have not advised us of your intentions before then. Your options for completing COMP702 will be considered.

When is the latest I can confirm a placement?

We advise to ensure you have a placement secured by July, however, this is somewhat flexible you can contact us up until mid-August with a placement offer and we can advise if it is still possible to accept the position as part of the programme.

I am registered to the Year in Industry programme but I’ve decided I do not wish to go on placement anymore, how do I transfer to the standard programme?

You can contact the Student Experience Team at any point throughout the year and transfer to the standard programme. Please contact us at CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk and we can assist you with this.

I am registered to the standard programme but I’ve decided I wish to go on placement, how do I transfer to the Year in Industry programme?

You can contact the Student Experience Team to request a transfer to the Year in Industry programme. This is somewhat flexible and we will do our best to accommodate but UG Year in Industry students must take a required module in semester one of year two (COMP221 Planning your Career) so any requests after the first week of teaching in semester one without a student being registered for this module will not be accepted. Please contact us at CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk and we can assist you with this.

I am due to go on a Year in Industry but I have been asked to register for my optional third year modules.

We still ask that UG Year in Industry students still register themselves for their third-year modules, we do this just in case students don’t attend a placement to ensure their record is complete for September.

When will I be removed from my third-year modules?

You will be removed from your third-year modules once you have successfully secured a placement and The Board of Examiners have confirmed you have passed your modules in July.

I have failed some of my Year 2 modules, can I still go on my placement?

Unfortunately, students on the Year in Industry programme must pass all year two modules at first attempt in order to remain on the Year in Industry programme. If a student has failed modules they will be automatically transferred off the Year in Industry programme, affected students will be notified of this.

If a student has been affected by Extenuating Circumstances during their second year of studies and the Extenuating Circumstances Committee recommend to the Board of Examiners that they should remain on the Year in Industry, it may be possible a student could attend a placement after they receive their resit results.

I have failed some of my Year 2 modules and been transferred off the Year in Industry but I have received an offer from a company. What are my options?

If you have been transferred from the Year in Industry programme but have received an offer to complete a placement, you are still welcome to accept the offer if you wish. You could then possibly interrupt your studies (formerly known as suspension of studies) for that academic year to complete the placement, they return in the following September to complete your third year. You would need to ensure the placement are still happy to offer you the role as a suspended student. The ‘Year in Industry’ title would no longer appear on your degree title but you would have no assessments or fees for that academic year.

I have questions which have not been answered above, who should I contact?

Please feel free to contact us at CSStudy@liverpool.ac.uk if you have further queries.