Businesses invited to support the next generation of graduate talent

Each year hundreds of students, from the University of Chester, secure work placements with organisations across the UK and beyond. The University is looking for more businesses to take part and benefit from the skills and talents the students have to offer.

Work placement learning is a structured opportunity for students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings. By contributing to day-to-day operations, whilst undertaking university-level projects, students bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and a desire to make a meaningful impact. Shortlisted in 2025 for an AGCAS Employability Award, the University’s Work Placement team has over 20 years’ experience of connecting talented students to great opportunities.

Hosting a student offers a range of benefits to organisations:

• Access to new talent: evaluate potential future employees for your organisation
• Tailored skill development: shape placement tasks to meet your business needs
• Boost innovation: gain fresh ideas and approaches from motivated students
• Staff development: provide mentorship opportunities for your team
• Positive brand image: demonstrate your commitment to education and student development
• Networking opportunities: build lasting relationships with the University and access future talent pools
• Project support: gain extra resource for specific tasks or seasonal demands.

Students can self-source placements or apply for opportunities co-ordinated by the University’s Work Placement team. All placements are approved by the team, with checks in place for insurance, health and safety and risk assessments. Students work with placement providers to outline objectives in advance, ensuring a mutually beneficial experience and they are supported by the University throughout the duration of their placement by a university placement tutor or supervisor.

Chester students undertake work placements across hundreds of supportive placement providers including Cheshire Constabulary, Cuan Wildlife Rescue, Chester Zoo, National Museums Liverpool, Storyhouse, Countess of Chester Hospital and many more.

There are different types of work placements - undergraduate second year students take place in a 140-hour university-level placement between April and June either full-time or part-time flexibly over five to seven weeks. Placements are available for some Master’s students and a professional year or year in industry is available on some programmes.

Through the two-year Master’s course, students undertake a placement or project (rolling offer with three cohorts of students per year) for 30 weeks (full time, 35 hours per week). Students are part of a two-year Master’s - having studied at the University for their first year, they work in industry in their second year, solving real world problems, adding value to companies through insights and solutions.

Lois Body, a Geography and Natural Hazard Management student working at Community Windpower Ltd, said: “My work placement has helped me decide what I would like to do with my career after I finish university. I’ve had the opportunity to develop skills I learnt through my two years at the University of Chester and gain insight into working life.”

Karl Parker, Assistant Project Manager, Community Windpower Ltd added: “We are very grateful to the University for their continued partnership and promotion of the renewable energy placements. We hope to repeat this positive experience next year.”

Work placement opportunities do not always need to align with a student’s degree, allowing them to explore diverse career paths beyond their academic discipline. This interdisciplinary approach enables students from different courses to collaborate with the same placement provider, broadening their network and enhancing their social capital, one of the pillars of Chester’s Student Citizen Strategy.

Sally Harding, Employer Engagement and Work Placement Manager at the University of Chester said: “We’re appealing to businesses from Cheshire, the region and beyond to consider providing a placement for our talented students. The team will offer support throughout and the opportunities and possibilities are endless. Please get in touch to find out more.”

Businesses interested in hosting a work placement can contact the Work Placement team for more information on workplacements@chester.ac.uk. The team would also be delighted to hear from any organisations wishing to get involved in wider opportunities including mentoring, internship hosting or employer advisory board participation.