Humanities & Social SciencesStudent placements
Learning through practice.
Our degree programmes are aimed at equipping students with advanced training for success, whether in academia or in the workplace.
Many of our postgraduate taught and undergraduate programmes offer work and research-based placement opportunities where students can build experience and put academic learning into practice. Students work with external organisations, with successful completion of placements forming part of coursework.
As well as hands-on experience, these placements are invaluable opportunities for students to network and build connections in a field that interests them.
Shanaya's placement at the Thomas Graham Community Library
MLitt Creative Writing student Shanaya completed her placement at the newly-built Thomas Graham Community Library in the Stirlingshire village of Strathblane. As part of her project, Shanaya used her writing skills to document the history of the building project and the life of Thomas Graham - a chemistry pioneer with strong links to both Strathclyde and Strathblane.
It was not just communication and planning - I also learned research skills, documenting and organising big data.
Our BA degree includes a work placement.
Work placements are at the heart of our undergraduate programmes. Every one of our flexible BA Humanities & Social Sciences degree options gives students the chance to gain valuable industry experience as part of a credit-bearing work placement class in their third or fourth year.
We work with partners in the private, public and third sectors to develop meaningful opportunities for hands-on learning that will prepare our students for life beyond graduation.
MLitt Interdisciplinary English Studies graduate Grace speaks about working on marketing and taking tours at the Alasdair Gray Archive - a public resource dedicated to the life and work of the renowned Glasgow artist and writer.
It has been great to be working in the arts sector. I'm just constantly in awe that I get to work here!
MLitt Creative Writing student Lucy on working on marketing and being inspired creatively during her placement at RIG Arts, a multi-award-winning arts and heritage charity based in Inverclyde.
I had the opportunity to get involved in social media, the marketing aspect of things, creating my own blog, I started to learn how to promote things professionally.
Sport Data Analytics: placements in football, cycling and ice hockey
MSc Sport Data Analytics students have the opportunity to undertake high-quality placements with external partners in the world of sport. Hear from students Nick, Freya and Matthew about their time working with Dundee United, sportscotland, Scottish Cycling and the Dundee Stars.
The placement has probably been the best part of the course ... It's been a chance to learn on the job and see how analytics is used in the field.
Vasilii Allenov
MSc Data Science for Politics
My placement with Network Rail arose through the connections the University has with organisations throughout Scotland and the UK. It not only allowed me to apply the data science skills I acquired during the course but also provided valuable insights into the practical challenges and opportunities in using data for policymaking.
Olivia Ross
MSc History
Due to undertaking a work placement as part of this course, I also have an understanding of how my skills can be applied in a professional setting, which has helped me to develop my CV and prepare for entering the job market.
Georgia Hepke
MSc Applied Gender Studies
For my placement I worked at the Glasgow Women's Library, archiving periodicals that had been donated and then updating the collection records. I also created a Handling Box resource that could be used by high school students who might come to the library to research feminist periodicals.
Our partners
Recent placements have been offered at:
- Alasdair Gray Archive
- Childline
- Devil’s Porridge Museum
- Glasgow City Council
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary Community
- Glasgow Women’s Library
- Global Underwater Hub
- Go Radio
- Headway
- Local authorities
- Local newspapers
- Murdostoun Rehabilitation Centre
- NHS
- Northumberland Council
- PLZ Soccer
- Primary Schools
- Professional sport clubs
- Samaritans
- Scottish Refugee Council
- Social work departments
- Sporting agencies