University of Manchester to offer work placements for all undergraduate students

Manchester University/ File: The Guardian

According to The Guardian, The University of Manchester has announced plans to provide work placement opportunities for all undergraduate students, regardless of their field of study, in an effort to better prepare graduates for an increasingly competitive job market.

The initiative, believed to be one of the first of its kind among large Russell Group universities, aims to ensure students gain practical experience alongside their academic studies. Opportunities could include internships, employer-led projects, placements, or community-based work across a wide range of disciplines, from classics to chemical engineering.

The move comes as many graduates across the UK face growing difficulties finding stable employment after university, often while carrying significant student debt. Even those who secure jobs frequently enter lower-paid sectors such as retail and hospitality instead of traditional graduate careers.

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, welcomed the proposal but questioned how feasible it would be for a university with around 32,000 undergraduate students.

Work placements are already compulsory in some degree programmes, including medicine and teaching. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, nearly a quarter of undergraduate courses in 2024–25 offered students the option of a placement lasting at least one year.

University officials said the goal is to make real-world experience a standard part of student life rather than something students must arrange independently or access through personal networks. The university added that the programme is designed to support students across all academic disciplines and build on Manchester’s existing connections with employers and organisations in the region.