Professional placement year

The professional placement year at Middlesex University allows you to put into practice your academic knowledge and the MDX graduate competencies in a real-world setting. 

Overview

What to expect from the placement year

The placement or professional experience year is a compulsory part of the programme and takes place in the 2nd year of your Masters. There are two options for all students, with the first and priority choice being a paid external opportunity typically 9-12 months in length. The University partners with a specialist award-winning provider to provide a bespoke package of support for all students on a placement/ professional experience year, providing you with the best possible opportunity to secure industrial experience. Whilst exclusive support is available to you throughout your studies, it is ultimately your responsibility to secure an appropriate placement in a relevant sector. This will require you to engage fully in your programme and with our specialist partner to maximise your chances of securing a role.

If an external placement is not secured or you fail to meet the academic requirements* for the placement year, the University will provide an alternative professional experience for you. This may include consultancy projects on behalf of the University’s employer partners or a research project within one of our Faculties. All alternative professional experiences will provide you with real-world, career enhancing work experience for future applications for graduate employment in both the UK and wider.

*Academic requirements include passing all taught modules, your dissertation and suitable attendance

Placement/ professional experience options

Option 1

Yearlong industry placement

Option 2

Alternative professional experience
Working for an employer on-site / hybrid Working for an employer remotely / working at Middlesex University
Dedicated job description / role Consultancy challenge / research project
Full-time hours 16-20 hours a week**
Individual Group or individual
UK-wide London
Paid role Unpaid

**hours are reduced for all alternative professional experiences, so that students can work in a part-time role alongside any consultancy work/ research project.

Career support

Careers and employability support

As part of our Placement or Professional Experience Programme, you'll receive tailored, industry-specific employability skills training from our award-winning placement partner. With their expert support, you'll enhance your chances of securing a placement and future job opportunities post-graduation.

Our partner guarantees comprehensive assistance, including:

  • Timetabled employability skills and training workshops integrated into the curriculum
  • Unlimited personalised one-on-one support, including CV coaching and mock interviews
  • Employer engagement, vacancy sourcing, and advocacy to connect you with potential employers.

In addition, our Careers and Employability Service, MDXworks provide a wide range of additional support, including dedicated resources and platforms to support you with your placement search. 

Contact us

Contact us

For further support you can contact the MDXworks team.

Email Call 0208 411 6161
Courses

Science and Technology

MSc Computer Science
MSc Cyber Security and Emerging Threats
MSc Data Science
MSc Electronic Engineering
MSc Engineering Management
MSc Mechatronic Systems Engineering
MSc Network Management and Cloud Computing
MSc Robotics

Business and Law

MA Global Governance and Sustainable Development
MSc Digital Marketing
MSc Global Supply Chain Management
MSc International Financial Management
MSc Management

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The placement / professional experience year at Middlesex University lets you apply academic knowledge in real-world settings. It includes a mandatory 9 - 12 month paid placement or an alternative professional experience. This helps develop key graduate competencies for your future career.

Placements are not guaranteed. However, if you are unable to secure a paid yearlong opportunity, the University will arrange for an alternative professional experience on behalf of a UK employer. This may be an internal research project or consultancy challenge.

Yes, you are free to look for your own placement. However, you must inform the university of your progress and complete the required paperwork.

We would expect all yearlong industrial placements to be paid. If you secure an unpaid placement with an external employer, you will require special approval to undertake this placement. All alternative professional experiences are unpaid.

To be eligible for the placement year, you must have passed all modules, including the dissertation. If you have any deferrals or resits, you will be transferred onto the alternative professional experience option.

January start – Placements will commence in the 2nd year of your programme, usually the following March-May and finish 9-12 months later.

September start – Placements will commence in the 2nd year of your programme, usually between November-January and finish 9-12 months later.

All paid placements and alternative professional experiences are between 9 – 12 months.

Placements will have to be approved by the University and your Module Leader. This will be via our dedicated Handshake experiences platform.

No, you must enrol on to the placement programme to be eligible for the year in industry.