Undergraduate placements : Prospective students : School of Global Studies : University of Sussex

Undertaking a placement as part of your degree in the School of Global Studies is an exciting way to develop a global perspective and to help formulate ideas on your future career. The experiences, knowledge and skills gained are invaluable. At Sussex, we actively encourage our students to undertake work placements and provide a range of opportunities.

What is a placement?

The School of Global Studies offers students the chance to undertake one year professional placements in relevant organisations. Placements are designed to allow you to gain practical work experience in an area appropriate to your degree. We also provide support and information to help you find informal work experience during vacations.

How do I find a placement?

Finding a placement is very similar to looking for a job, and the skills you learn in the process will help you after graduation. Staff in Global Studies work closely with the University Careers and Employability Centre (CEC) to support you in finding, applying for and making the most of opportunities for gaining work experience during your time at Sussex.

Where can I go?

Almost anywhere! Many students opt for placements outside the UK to develop their language skills and explore a new country and culture, while others gain valuable experience closer to home. Students have been on placements all over the world, from Bali to Berlin to Brighton!

Check out recent placements

Why do a placement?

Undertaking placements can:

provide valuable experience in an area related to your chosen subject
increase your employability
make a valuable contribution to your learning and personal development

How does it work?

For more information see: Careers and Employability Centre - Placements

Testimonials

Berta Santos (BA Anthropology and International Development with a Professional Placement Year)
Placement: Learning Support Worker at St. John's College (Brighton, UK)

"My placement year was transformative. It allowed me to apply academic concepts I had learnt at Sussex in real-world settings, helping me identify my career aspirations. The placement also highlighted skills I needed to develop, guiding my academic choices in my final year and gave me a huge advantage when applying for graduate roles!"

Favourite memory of placement: "My favorite memory from my placement year was feeling proud of my impact at the end of each day, especially seeing the learners graduate when the academic year finished, knowing I played a key role in their personal and academic development."

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Ellena Mouzouris (BA International Relations and Development with a Professional Placement Year)
Placement: L'Oréal LUXE

"In my second year I felt I needed a break from regular study and initially looked into a year abroad. COVID made this seem too precarious so I quickly began applying for placements instead to have a change of scenery and do something new. The application process felt turbulent as I wasn't sure on the exact role I was looking for but it was the best decision I could have made for my personal and professional development. As the Retail Excellent intern for L'Oréal LUXE I developed strong bonds with my team (many of whom I am still in close contact with) and delivered on projects in ways I would never have believed I was capable of. As a result, I have been able to take on two new part time roles upon my return to university; as a student placement connector and a role in e-commerce for a small business in Brighton. I now feel far more equipped for the post-grad real world with experience in a professional/corporate environment. With my experience I have the potential to look into a masters at IDS, a future role at L'Oréal, progressing in the current business I work for or something else entirely!"

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Lidia Pons Puig (BA International Development)

Placement: "I completed my placement at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, one of the largest hospitals in Barcelona and Spain, from September 2023 to July 2024. I worked in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department, where I contributed to a variety of projects. These included helping run the Arts in Health programme for patients and healthcare professionals, as well as assisting in the coordination of hospital volunteers."

Favourite memory of placement: "One of my favourite moments was taking part in a treasure hunt with some of my colleagues, competing against teams from other local hospitals. We had an amazing time running around the city, solving clues, and tackling challenges. There were so many laughs along the way! It was a great way to bond with my teammates and meet people from different hospital departments. We even managed to finish in third place and celebrated with a big group meal afterwards!"

The value of a placement at Sussex: "I highly recommend doing a placement to anyone considering it. This experience has given me greater clarity about the career path I want to pursue after Sussex and has helped me develop invaluable communication and interpersonal skills. Gaining a full year of hands-on experience in my chosen field is a huge advantage, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity."