Work experience

We offer a diverse range of internships, placements, and other opportunities to gain practical work experience and enhance your CV.

Cardiff Business School Placements

We work closely with the local, national and international business community to offer placement and work experience opportunities.

These opportunities not only enhance your knowledge and help with your course - they can provide an insight into a job or industry. This kind of experience will help you to compete in the global employment market.

Professional placement year

All our undergraduate degrees are available with the option of a professional placement year.

This paid year in employment gives you the opportunity to kick-start your professional training and stand out from the crowd after graduation.

Taken in your third year, you’ll apply your university know-how in the real-world and enhance your career prospects by building a network of business contacts.

You’ll gain insights into organisations and industries with no long-term obligations, develop new skills and hone your competitive edge ready to fast track your career ambitions.

Other options

We also have other opportunities to gain practical experience. These often take place over a shorter period without extending the length of your degree study.

Insights (term time)

Insights are short periods of unpaid work experience suitable for undergraduate students in any year of study. They are set up to work around your university timetable.

Live business projects (June - September)

Working in partnership with businesses, these projects address a real business problem or issue and a comprehensive report is provided on completion.

You'll be supported by a member of faculty from the Business School, who will act as an internal project mentor throughout the duration of the project.

The Integrated Placement Programme

This is a unique and innovative programme that integrates a structured period of work experience into the BSc Business Management degree.

Host organisations have previously included Deloitte, Admiral, Barclays and Transport for Wales.

You need to achieve a 60% average in your first year of study to be eligible for this programme.

Summer internships (July - September)

Internships typically last 6–11 weeks between the months of July and September at the end of your second year. However, more and more organisations are now offering internship opportunities at the end of the first year.

Internship opportunities are usually available with leading graduate employers in Wales, across the UK and with our global partners.

Professional placement year (PPY)

We encourage all our students to spend their third year in placement. This enables you to gain a deeper insight into a sector whilst setting yourselves apart from other graduates and kick starting your career.

These placements are paid, typically last between 9–12 months, and are available with many of the leading graduate employers in Wales, across the UK and globally.

Graduate opportunities

We can help you achieve your career ambitions and actively support employability through a range of workshops and jobs fairs.

Additionally, the Cardiff University Jobs board is a free service dedicated to student and graduate recruitment, allowing small and large organisations globally to post opportunities and manage applications.