How is the work placement organised? Work placement FAQs
Our placement scheme will offer you a fantastic opportunity to gain relevant work experience, practical skills, and professional contacts at a prestigious British or UK-related organization, in a position matching your personal interests and future career plans.
The placement is full-time, lasts 3 months, and takes place in the third semester of the MA (usually September to December or January to April).
Usually not, although some providers do offer a small stipend or a full salary. However, abroad placements in EU countries are supported by Erasmus+ grants (490 to 600 euro per month, depending on the destination) and specific funding lines are available in other cases, such as placements in the UK or at international organizations.
Applicants requiring financial support are strongly recommended to apply for a grant/scholarship/loan well in advance. The deadlines for scholarship applications may be as early as in October, the year before you plan to take up your studies at the Centre for British Studies! If you plan to work part-time to finance your studies, make sure to be able to pause your work commitments for the duration of the 3-month placement.
Yes, this is a mandatory and essential part of the MA programme. To complete the module and be awarded its 15 ECTS credits, all students must obtain a reference letter from the placement provider and write an internship report.
Due to the consequences of Brexit and the termination of Britain's participation in Erasmus, it is unlikely that students will conduct their placement in the UK. This is subject to change according to developments within education mobility agreements. Meanwhile, the Centre maintains contact with placement providers in Ireland, Germany, and elsewhere that allow students to work with British or Britain-related organizations outside of the UK.
Our list of active placement providers includes dozens of cultural, political, educational, and business organizations working in different areas of the public, private, and non-profit sectors. If you don’t have the right to work in the UK, you can still enjoy a placement at a British or UK-related organization in Ireland, Germany, and other European countries.
Some examples of currently active providers are: Birmingham City Council, British Council Ireland, British Institute at Ankara, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft, Futurepath, Leeds International Film Festival, Limerick City Gallery of Arts, Literature Wales, London & Partners, Scottish Parliament, The Little Museum of Dublin, Trans European Policy Studies Association, University of Central Lancashire Cyprus, and UK Parliament.
The full list of our past placement providers can be found here.