Postgraduate work placement
Kingston University is now offering an optional two year postgraduate programme with an integrated work placement component within the programme (available for most postgraduate programmes). This option is available for both international and full-time home/EU students.
Which postgraduate programmes are available?
How does it work?
The onus to find and secure the placement is on you, but you can make use of the University's career support services (KU Talent) to help you. The placement will be undertaken after the taught portion of your programme. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, if you are an international student, you will be issued a two year visa to cover both the taught and the work placement components upon meeting the Home Office's requirements (including the 5-year time limit on Tier 4 study - see the UKCISA website).
How do you apply for these programmes?
The courses will have two full-time course options: a one year option and a two year ‘with professional placement' option. You can apply for either of these options online via the relevant course page. If you have applied and been made an offer for the one year standard course, you can request to change course to the two year 'with professional placement' option.
If you are an international student, you can request to change course to the two year 'with professional placement' option before your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)* is issued (the optional 12-month placement will be included in the CAS). If you choose not to switch to the two year course from the outset, you can still take up the option after you begin your study at Kingston, but you will need to return home to apply for the visa extension. Please be aware that you may not be granted the visa extension.
If you decide not to pursue the placement option or do not manage to secure a placement by the deadline, you will be switched back to the usual one year course and complete your degree in the standard 12 months (this will not affect your grade). If you are an international student, then UK Visa and Immigration will be alerted about the course change.
Please note that courses including the work placement option are not eligible for US Federal funding.
*The CAS is related to the Tier 4 visa.
Is there a fee for the work placement year?
Invoicing on the placement courses is split into two stages. The standard course fee is payable in year 1 with the placement fee invoiced in year 2. Therefore, students starting in September 2017 would therefore be charged the placement fee of £1,070 in September 2018. Students commencing the course in September 2018 will be invoiced the placement fee in 2019 (provisionally £1,230).
This amount will only be charged to your account after you find a placement and are enrolled on the work placement module. You will not be charged this fee if you do not manage to secure a work placement.
International students applying for a Tier 4 visa will need to pay the non-refundable immigration health surcharge up front for both years.
Accommodation
The postgraduate accommodation contract runs from September to the following September. You are liable for the whole 50-week contract.
General programme structure for all faculties, except Kingston Business School
You will do the placement between the taught portion and the dissertation period:
| September 2017–May 2018 | Taught modules |
| May / June 2018 | Deadline for you to confirm placement (exact date will be decided by Faculty) |
| June / July 2018–May / June 2019 | Work placement (maximum 12 months) |
| June–September 2019 | Dissertation |
Programme structure for Kingston Business School
Kingston Business School students: You will do the placement at the end of your taught course and after completion of your dissertation or project. Following your placement you will be required to complete an end of placement assessment.
| September 2017–May 2018 | Taught modules |
| June 2018–September 2018 | Dissertation/project |
| July 2018 | Deadline for you to confirm placement (exact date to be decided by the Schools) |
| September/October 2018–September 2019 | Work placement (maximum 12 months) |
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General international student enquiries
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 3411
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Contact us
General international student enquiries
Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 3411