Software Engineering MComp: Sandwich year placements

A key feature of this MComp degree is that you will combine time studying at the university with a period working in industry. This ensures you have the opportunity to put theory into practice and to understand fully the way your developing skills can help shape the future. This integrated masters course extends to four years, with the third year incorporating modules taught both at the University and by distance learning in an industrial setting with an academic supervisor.

Why study in industry?

The benefits of studying in industry include:

• adding high quality industrial experience to your CV. This will give you an edge on the competition when you look for a job and help you make informed career choices;
• assisting your final year academic studies. Research indicates that students who spent time in industry get, on average, better results in their final year;
• developing professional skills and gaining invaluable practical experience in your chosen field;
• giving you an understanding of the role of IT in the real world away from the lecture theatre and allowing you to apply theoretical learning in real life;
• building your self-confidence and self-esteem.

How will Kingston help?

We have a wealth of industrial contacts across all sectors of the IT field and will help you get the best possible practical experience. Our staff provide all the support you need to secure the right place for you. They will:

• help you to produce a professional CV;
• give you interview preparation;
• provide academic support and supervision throughout .

As an MComp student, you could gain experience with a wide range of employers, from small and medium-size organisations to large global enterprises. Some of our recent employers include:

• Air Products
• Sun Microsystems
• Metropolitan Police (various departments)
• Accenture Technology Solutions
• Modulo2 (companies including Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis and Bartle Bogle Hegarty)
• Cadence
• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
• Lloyds TSB
• AXA Investment Managers
• CLS

Things to be aware of

All four years of this course involve full-time study and therefore full-time fees are payable.

Name: Bhavit Shah
Course: BSc(Hons) Software Engineering
Placement company: Merrill Lynch

"I spent my sandwich placement at Merrill Lynch, working as an analyst developer for 15 months. I delivered a web-based application for the private banking sector of the firm, which automated several processes.

"I'm still in touch with my colleagues and it's great to know that the application I developed is still being used in more than 16 offices across Europe and the Middle East. I achieved a prestigious 'Spotlight Award' for my contribution to the company.

"The placement office at Kingston provided outstanding support when I was preparing for the placement. I still remember knocking on the office door several times a day, either to get my CV checked or to get updates on my job applications!

"Mock interviews also helped me to develop my interview skills. The staff's relentless efforts meant that I secured job offers from companies such as Microsoft as well as Merrill Lynch.

"The placement completely changed my views and learning style. Once I returned to Kingston for my final year, I started thinking about the practical implementation of each subject. My final year project was done for Merrill Lynch, which provided excellent project management skills."

Read more about what Bhavit is doing now in the After you graduate section and his experiences at Kingston in the What our students say section (where you can also read about fellow student Jeyaram Deivachandran's sandwich placement).