Page 38 - RVC Undergraduate Prospectus 2023-2024

WORK PLACEMENTS

OVERVIEW
We offer a Placement Year with all our BSc dedicated to a research project which is assessed in several
and MSci Biological Sciences courses after ways, including a project report and oral exam. This year is
particularly useful for those who want to find out if research
your second year of study. Courses including is for them before committing to a PhD, and allows them to
the Placement Year hold Advanced Degree experience what it is like to work outside of the RVC, either in
Accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology, industry, research institutes, or charities, for example.
highlighting its potential to educate the life Both types of placement will provide you with insight into the
science leaders and innovators of the future. organisation and sector you are working in, as well as the huge
variety of jobs available, therefore enabling you to identify your
Not only do you get a year of practical work experience, as part preferred career path. Both will also provide you with those
of the Placement Year you also undertake a research project crucial employability skills you need as a graduate and enable
that is devised and supervised by your placement provider. you to expand your network of connections. Most placements
This allows students to have a diverse experience which is are salaried and you can expect to earn between £8,000 and
useful for students who want a taste of a certain sector or type £17,000 during the year. A placement sometimes leads to an
of work, and also provides you with a fantastic opportunity to offer of a position after graduation or future sponsorship for
gain and develop your employability skills and attitudes to work. studying a PhD, and you can certainly expect to extend your
This is encouraged through a focus on self-reflection, which is professional network.
supported by the Professionalism module.
All placement providers will provide you with the training you
The second type of placement is a Masters level placement. need to complete the work or research you are tasked with. You
This is taken in your final year of the MSci Applied Biological will also be assigned a tutor from the RVC who will guide you
Research and MSci Applied Bioveterinary Research courses through the year, and there are several online tutorials with the
(including with a sandwich Placement Year). This placement is placement year leader.

38 CRITICAL-THINKING • PROBLEM-SOLVING • SCIENCE-SHAPING