Materials Science and Engineering Placement Programme
The Materials Science and Engineering Placement Programme embodies the key concepts of Individualism, Internationalism and Industry relevance. Courses integrating work-based learning in industry are highly sought after by employers as they play a critical role in the development of employment skills of graduates. This program allows students in their third year of the accredited Materials Science and Engineering programme to work in industry. The programme provides you with the opportunity to undertake a placement of between 3–12 months from a conventional summer placement to a novel one-year placement integrated into the third and fourth year of study.
The Materials Science and Engineering program aims to place students in organizations that are typical destinations for graduates of the course, either a manufacturing or a research environment. Organisations offering placements are encouraged to assign graduate-level work and provide guidance from professionals in the area.
Student Selection
Admission to this programme in Materials Science and Engineering is selective – the School shortlists students who have expressed an interest in undertaking placement based on their academic performance, career interests and a screening interview. Roles are then advertised to these students and the selection process follows a typical graduate recruitment format with organisations being able to interview short-listed applicants before making a final decision.
Students not taking the full placement scheme will still be able to do individual research and team design projects in collaboration with Industry.
Assessment
The Materials Science and Engineering programme aims to give students the opportunity to develop relevant skills and exposure toward careers in materials. The program also aims to teach students to manage their own professional development through a cyclical process of self assessment, goal setting, evaluation and reflection. To meet these aims the assessment of the I3 placements includes a performance evaluation by the industry supervisor mid way through and at the end of the placement as well as a continuous performance management component that is supervised by the School. Students are also required to make a presentation about their placement to prospective I3 students.
Benefits
• Apply and consolidate knowledge gained at university.
• Experience work place culture and work practices.
• Explore career options.
• Learn from professionals in your chosen field.
• Develop a professional network.
• Become more marketable as a graduate.
• Access to professional development programs.
• Self manage professional development.
Other Placement Programmes
Students of Materials Science and Engineering are also eligible for the following other placement programmes at the University
- International Corporate Leadership Programme (ICLP) - More information can be found at www.keyworth.leeds.ac.uk.
- Erasmus Work Placement grants for Europe - ( http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/ )
- Shell step National scheme coordinated by the University Careers centre. More information can be found at www.shellstep.org.uk.
Contact
Dr. Suneel Kunamaneni
Institute for Materials Research
School of Process Environmental and Materials Engineering
University of Leeds
Telephone +44 113 343 2567
Email: s.kunamaneni@leeds.ac.uk