Industrial placements
An Industrial Placement is a compulsory part of both our four year Computing Masters in Engineering (MEng) and our four year Masters in Mathematics & Computer Science (MEng) degree programmes.
Every year over 150 students undertake an Industrial Placement in a wide variety of companies. Recruiting students on an Industrial Placement is one of the most effective ways of attracting world-class candidates upon graduation.
At the end of their placement students are expected to deliver a presentation about their work and experience. Prospective Placement Providors are welcome to attend. See the Industrial Placement Presentation Schedule 21_22 for the October 2023 schedule.
We always welcome new Placement opportunities. Please download our Industrial Placements Brochure
More information
How to advertise a placement
We accept opportunities for industrial placements from August until all our students are placed, normally at the end of March the following year, although this may depend on class size and employment market trends.
To advertise industrial placement opportunities, please follow these steps:
- Read the Industrial Placements Brochure and our Placement Learning Policy
- Complete the Job Advertisement Template and the Placement Provider Information Form
- Contact the Industrial Liaison Team
Since the industrial placement is a compulsory element of our MEng Computing and MEng Mathematics and Computer Science degree programmes, the Department needs to ensure that the type of work the students will be undertaking is relevant to their studies. Before we can advertise your placement opportunities, we require a project/ job description to review.
The student is required to work on one or two projects rather than a large number of smaller tasks. We realise, however, that a detailed job description may not be available in advance of the Placement, so a brief description of the company/department and typical projects the student will be involved in may be sufficient.
The work should be at graduate entry level and must be software engineering/development focussed for MEng Computing students. For our MEng Mathematics and Computer Science students, the projects can have a computing bias, a mathematics bias or a combination of both.
Please contact us if you require further details about this.
Disclaimer
Please note that the Department reserves the right not to advertise job opportunities considered not to be educationally advantageous or relevant to our students' professional training.
For more information about placements for Imperial College students, please visit the college placements page.
Timetable
6 and 7 October 2022
Industrial placements presentations
- Industrial placement students who just finished their placements will present their industrial experience, to which managers and employers are invited
From start September – to end February
Advertise a Placement for AY 2022/23
- Find out how to advertise a placement above
October – March
Recruit for a placement student
- Receive students' applications
- Assess students selected for interview/assessment centre
- Make offer(s)
3 April - 15 September 2023
MEng Computing students on placement
- Receive a visit from an Academic Tutor to ensure the placement is going well
5 June - 23 September 2023
MEng Mathematics and Computer Science students on placement
- Receive a visit from an Academic Tutor to ensure the placement is going well
5 and 6 October 2023
Industrial placements presentations
- Industrial Placement students present their industrial experience, to which managers and employers are invited
Information for prospective employers
An industrial placement is a compulsory part of both our four year Computing Masters in Engineering (MEng) and our four year Masters in Mathematics & Computer Science (MEng) degree programmes.
Imperial Department of Computing students represent some of the top software engineering talent in the UK - recruiting students on an industrial placement is one of the most effective ways of attracting world-class candidates upon graduation.
Our industrial placement programme offers your organisation:
- A cost effective way of getting a project done at the highest technical standards
- An effective way of recruiting our top graduates - recruiting a graduate who has already worked with you reduces your recruitment and training costs and may contribute to higher retention rates
- A way to exchange new ideas combined with fresh enthusiasm and knowledge of some of the latest technology
- An opportunity to encourage and invest in the computer scientists of the future.
To find out more please download the Industrial Placements Brochure and view our Placement Learning Policy.
How and when to advertise
If your company can offer suitable placement opportunities please get in touch as soon as possible. Depending on the stage of the placements programme, you can advertise vacancies or establish a link for the next academic year.
Vacancies are usually advertised from the beginning of the Autumn Term to the end of March.
Find out more
To find out more about how your company can benefit from hosting industrial placement students, please contact the Industrial Liaison Team
Disclaimer
Please note that the Department reserves the right not to advertise placement opportunities considered not to be educationally advantageous.
Information for current employers
Thank you for your continuous support in our efforts to train the best Software Engineers!
Please read these pages regularly for updates about the industrial placement programme, upcoming events and procedures.
Assessment of the Industrial Placement
Industrial placement tutor visits
Students and their managers and mentors will receive a visit from an academic tutor during the placement, usually in the period June-July.
These visits aim to ensure that the student is undertaking a professionally rewarding placement and that his/her contribution to the company is worthy of the Department's reputation. This visit usually takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on how the meeting is going. For example, the meeting can be structured in three sections: 15 minutes with the student, 15 minutes with his/her managers and 15 minutes discussing the project and student progress with all those concerned.
Since the Industrial Placement is a compulsory part of the MEng and MSci degrees these visits are usually compulsory. If a visit is not possible due to the location of the placement, a teleconference and regular email contact with the department is accepted.
Industrial placement presentations
The industrial placement presentation is a component of the final assessment of the Placement. All company representatives, managers and mentors are invited to attend and also to join academic staff and senior administrators for lunch on both days. You should receive an email detailing the schedule for your company.
Executive Summary
Students are asked to submit a 2 page Executive Summary.
Confidentiality concerns
In order to assess our students we recommend that the company should resolve any confidentiality concerns regarding the presentation before it begins.
This should not however prevent the student from discussing your organisation, the technologies they used or what they have learned from their work experience. Please remember that the presentations also promote your company to other students and lecturers.
Information for current students
Current MEng 3rd Year students should visit https://www.inplace.imperial.ac.uk/ for placement adverts, FAQs, timelines & assessment.