Year of Professional Experience

Our BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience and MEnvSci Environmental Science with Professional Experience both include the opportunity to work in a company or organisation during your degree. Students undertake a professional placement in their third year. The placement provides you with valuable practical experience of working in a professional environment. During the year you will receive visits from your University Tutor as well as guidance from your professional mentor. Each placement is individual, and entry to this degree depends on your performance in Years 1 and 2. The most recent placements have been with The Atomic Weapons Establishment, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, the RAF, Balfour Beatty Workplace and Hydrologic.

Heather Ashton graduated with a First in 2005. She had a placement with the Atomic Weapons Establishment during her third year:

"The placement year in general gives you an insight into the world of working. You experience a variety of different people of different skills and backgrounds. You have to learn how to deal and approach these people which is a skill in its self! You gain a wide range of skills, not only job related but improved skills in writing, presenting and public speaking. Regardless of where the placement is, you finish the year a different person! It personally made me grow up and turned me into a more confident person, setting me up for my final year and beyond."

Heather has recently completed a PhD in Meteorology and in 2008 started working for the Joint Centre for Hydrometeorological Research on short-range precipitation forecasting systems.