Get Involved

Students thrive when they are given work that is directly related to the course content. Our experience has shown that if students are given the responsibility to complete a project or section of a project they embrace this opportunity and are fully engaged in the work. They feel the work they are doing is contributing to organisation and they feel valued. Students see that this is contributing positively to their placement and future career prospects.

Giving a student menial work to do is counterproductive for the student and the organisation. Students feel undervalued and do not engage well in the company.

When an organisation is investing time and money in mentoring a student it is more beneficial for the organisation to provide the student with work that is relevant and achievable.

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The organisation needs to provide the student with the following

• Safe work environment with access to IT facilities and a dedicated workspace
• Identify a suitable project or work area for the student within the company
• Provide supervision and financial support for the duration of the PEP
• Facilitate visit from PEP students’ Academic Supervisor/Placement Officer
• Complete an Assessment Report on behalf of each student. Endorse student’s Report/Presentation following completion of the PEP

Prior to a student being offered a placement we send the organisation a company assessment form to ensure that our students will be working in a suitable and safe work environment.

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Not all placements are paid. It depends on course and industry sector.

Where they are paid, the expectation for payment is at a minimum the minimum wage.
The exact remuneration is up to the discretion of the employer.

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Students of University of Galway that are engaged on a work placement that is a compulsory embedded part of their course of study are covered by the university Insurance policy.

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Get in touch with us on 091-493646 or by email. You will be directed to the appropriate person in response to your inquiry.

Company assessment form

Organisations intending to offer a work placement to our students will first need to complete a company assessment form.
Please complete the form and return it to us by email. 
On receipt of the completed company assessment form, the next part of the process can begin.

Create a brief job description

Give details of the work placement. Also give details in relation to the nature of the work and the skills required. This will assist students in preparing for interview.
Please also give details as to any other considerations required e.g., Garda Clearance, driving licence.
Email the completed job description to us. 

Placement Application (PA)

Your work placement is advertised online on our Placement Application (PA).
Login details are emailed to you to allow you to access the PA and review the CV’s of the students that applied.

Shortlist and Interview

Shortlist the students you wish to interview and contact the relevant Placement Officer.
We encourage organisations to interview on campus. There are excellent facilities available here in University of Galway. Rooms are available on a first-come-first-served basis. We can also facilitate telephone and Skype interviews.
Interview our students and select the students you wish to offer a placement to.

Offer

We will contact the students and make the offer to them online on the PA.
The employer then contacts the student with the relevant contract.

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Many companies now offer the possibility of remote working placements.

In the document below, we outline some practical tips for employers who are interested in offering a student placement that is to be either partially or fully carried out remotely. The information provided is based on feedback from our placement employers partners where students started in work placement in summer 2020 on a remote working basis.

FAQ remote working

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