FAQs: On Placement

When can I take annual leave?

Company and statutory holidays during your year in industry will be set out within your contract of employment.

What should I do if my employer offers me an extension?

You must inform the University if you and your host employer have agreed that the duration of your placement will differ from that originally intended. Remember that the maximum amount you can work on placement is 67 weeks.

How is my attendance monitored?

It is a UKVI requirement that the University monitors your attendance in the workplace during your placement year. This will be mainly by email, which will be sent either to you via your work email address, or at certain points during the year to your manager.

These emails require a confirmation response within two working days and while some will be combined with key contact points, e.g. assisting with organising the visit, others will be simple attendance monitoring emails which will ask you or your manager to verify you are still attending your place of work.

We are required to check your attendance once a month throughout your placement year. We ask for your support in complying with this during the year.

What happens if I fail to complete the Year in Industry?

If you fail to complete the Year in Industry for whatever reason, you will be transferred back onto the standard degree, finishing your degree within the next academic year.

You would not be eligible to graduate with the 'Year in Industry' degree title if you have not passed the assessments necessary for placement.

What should I do if I fall ill/am off work sick during my time on placement?

For typical illnesses follow the protocol as described within your contract to notify your employer of your illness.

If your illness is a condition that will cause significant disruption and time off from your work, then please notify both your employer and the Engineering Placements Team.

If you are absent from placement due to sickness for more than 7 calendar days, you are required to complete an extenuating circumstances form and return this to Year in Industry team along with relevant documentary evidence where appropriate.

Bear in mind that health and well being support offered by the University is still available to you whilst you are on placement.

Should I be getting taxed during my Year in Industry?

Everyone pays income tax once they are earning over £12,570 within the tax year 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025. Any amount of money you earn over this amount will be taxed at a rate of 20%. (As well as your placement salary, your earnings include interest from savings and all other employment including part-time jobs you may have done before or after your placement.)

Within the tax year 2024/25, you pay mandatory National Insurance if you’re 16 or over and are an employee earning more than £242 per week at a rate of 8%.

As you are still a student, you should not start repaying your student loan even if you are earning above £21,000.

The tax year in the UK always starts on 6th April, which means your placement will fall into two different tax years. At the end of the tax year, your placement employer should give you a P60 which will confirm what your earnings were and how much tax you paid. Once you finish your placement, your employer should give you a P45 which will confirm how much you have earned so far and how much tax you will have paid.

You can claim a tax over payment back from HMRC by completing a form using information you will find on your P60 and P45.

I've relocated to a new area, how can I get to know people over here?

Moving to a new area will be a challenge, but there are plenty of ways you can make new friends and new connections while on your placement. You'll be working with new colleagues and will potentially have the opportunity for team building and social events in your new role.

You can also join clubs and groups that may exist within the organisation or externally.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the Engineering Placements Team.

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