The Business Placement scheme reaches new heights

Enhancing employability

Now in its third year, the Business Placement initiative has had its most successful year yet. 

The University of London collaborated with 30 Placement Providers consisting of some of the biggest brands and most reputable companies in the world throughout Pakistan, Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – our two new territories. 

Together, we offered our undergraduates the opportunity to boost their employability by gaining exclusive experience within corporate working environments.

Our students responded overwhelmingly to the invitation to apply for business placements, with Computing, Undergraduate Laws and Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences (EMFSS) students showing exceptional interest. We received 1,106 submissions, making this the most competitive uptake of the scheme to date.

We are delighted to state that 73 business placements were successfully completed in a range of industries including law, technology, aviation, finance and consumable goods.

Joanne Harris, Associate Director of Student Experience, who leads on the Business Placement scheme, said:

Facilitating the business placements becomes more rewarding every year, with students telling us about the lasting positive impact their placements have had on their academic, professional and personal development. 

The huge increase in uptake we’ve seen in 2019 not only demonstrates the determination and ambition of our students, but also the demand and necessity of experiential work-based learning. We are incredibly proud of all those who dedicated their free time over the summer months to enhancing their employability. 

The fact that several students have been offered full-time roles upon completion of their degree affirms that this initiative is achieving what we hoped it would, which is to provide the best possible future career outcomes for our students when they graduate, and an exceptional student experience.

We strive to offer our students the best global employability opportunities and I am excited to develop the Business Placement scheme further to include Europe and Malaysia in 2020.

Simon Askey, Dean Undergraduate Laws said:

The opportunity to try out the world of work, albeit for a short time, in a job that you think you might want to do is an invaluable experience. It provides a taster to inform your future decisions and choices.
 
I’m very pleased to see the excellent feedback from employers about our students but I’m equally glad to read the excellent feedback from our students about their time on placement. 

What you get out of something is mostly a reflection of what you put into it and it’s pleasing to see that our students invested in these placements and gained much from them in terms of skills and confidence.

Elizabeth Aitken, Director: Summer School, International & Executive Programmes at the London School of Economics, said:

Our students have shown great tenacity through rigorous interview selection processes and assessments, which have led to them performing excellently throughout their placements. This is no small feat for anyone, let alone those stepping into a corporate environment for the first time. 

The range of departments our students have successfully been placed in, from finance and communications, to advisory teams and human resources, show the breadth of career possibilities available to holders of an EMFSS degree. 

I am certain that our students will take the knowledge and skills that they have gained through their placements to go on to achieve further success in their careers.

Dr Maggie Cooper, Computing Programme Director, said:

Edwin has told me about the very enriching experience he had on business placement with one of Vietnam’s leading Internet and Technology companies. I’m impressed he took the initiative in travelling to another country and entering a new professional environment and also a new culture. Interestingly, he highlights the problem-solving skills acquired through studying on Computing and Information Systems as key in preparing for the demands of the working world.

Our sector is all about change and adaptability, and a Computing qualification from the University of London builds transferrable and practical skills that are valued across a wide range of exciting environments.
 
I look forward to more of our students applying for business placements — it really can help you decide how you want to develop your career once you graduate, and, of course, provides a valuable addition to your CV.

Further information

• We received 1,116 applications for business placements in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
   
• Next year, we aim to increase business placement opportunities in our current territories as well as introduce the scheme in Europe and Malaysia. Please contact us if your company is interested in providing business placements.
   
• On behalf of our students and the University of London, we would thank all the companies that participated in the Business Placement (2019) scheme:
   
• Ahmer Bilal Soofi & Co Advocates and Counsels
• Bombay Stock Exchange Limited
• CBRE Vietnam
• Coca-Cola Pakistan
• Coca-Cola Sri Lanka
• Commercial Bank of Ceylon
• Deloitte Sri Lanka
• Deloitte Vietnam
• Dialog
• D. L. & F. De Saram
• Ernst & Young
• F. J. & G. de Saram
• FM Associates
• Galaxy Communications
• Grant Thornton Vietnam Limited
• HaiderMota & Co.
• Hatch Works Pvt Limited
• Hayleys
• Julius & Creasy
• Khalid Anwer & Co.
• Nestlé Pakistan
• Nestlé Sri Lanka
• Orr, Dignam & Co.
• Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited
• RIAA Barker Gillette
• S&P Global
• Unilever
• Vietnam Airlines
• VNG Corporation
• VPBank
   
• Thanks to The Careers Group for their support in moderating applications.
   
• Thanks to Mr Saad Wasim, Regional Advisor South Asia, and British University Vietnam for their facilitation throughout the placement initiative.
   
• The University of London works with various partners to improve the learning experience of its students by launching new initiatives that benefit its students worldwide.