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What Is A Sandwich Course In The UK: Work & Experience

Sandwich courses in the UK

Sandwich course in the UK is a degree programme in which you work for 9 months to a year before returning to classes for the remainder of the programme. These courses are considerably longer than a conventional degree, but the benefit is that universities usually provide you with a placement, and this work experience is quite valuable when you finish and begin looking for a job. 

What Is A Sandwich Course & Why Is It Different From A Full-Time Course?

Students who desire to complete their degree without taking time off for work experience should enrol in a full-time programme. Many universities in the United Kingdom have implemented mandatory placements for particular subjects. 

While there may be internship chances in a conventional course, they are usually only for up to 12 weeks. This is another difference between a full-time and a sandwich course in the UK. Working for at least 9 months, if not a year, is required for a sandwich degree.

Recommended Read: FAQs about the UK education system

Pros And Cons Of A Sandwich Course In The UK

Here are the advantages:

  • In a tough job market, you must take advantage of every possible edge. Industry experience will help you stand out from the crowd of other college grads looking for the same position.
  • You may not need to apply for entry-level employment if you have a year of industry experience.
  • Employers are always on the lookout for educational credentials as well as industrial experience.
  • There’s also a chance that the placing firm you worked with could give you a full-time job.

Check out: Scholarships that cover the living expenses in the UK

Here are the disadvantages:

  • One of the drawbacks of sandwich programmes in the UK is that you must apply for placement while studying. The entire procedure can take months, and remember that you are studying while applying and attending various levels of interviews.
  • Before accepting an offer, inquire about the level of assistance offered by the institution in finding a job. It’s also crucial to have a diversity of positions.
  • Make sure you understand how the industry year is assessed so you can prepare.
  • Make certain that having your education disrupted by an industry year is not an undesirable interruption.

The Two Different Type Of Sandwich Programmes In The UK

In the United Kingdom, not all sandwich courses are represented equally. They could be ‘Thick’ or ‘Thin’ in nature. A four-year degree usually includes a Thick Sandwich Course. The first two years are spent studying, followed by a year placement in the third year.

You might work in the EU while finishing your last year of study at a sister university there. This is the Erasmus programme, which is administered by the British Council in the United Kingdom. Erasmus is the European Community Action Scheme for University Student Mobility in its entirety. 

Recommended Read: What is the Cost to study in the UK?

On the other hand, the three-year degree programme is the “Thin” Sandwich Course. The work placement in this type of sandwich degree is broken into two halves, with 6 months of practical experience in your first year and another 6 months in your last year.

Universities That Do Sandwich Courses In The UK

  1. Staffordshire University

Course: Mechanical Engineering (BEng and MEng)

Course duration: 4 years full-time

Placement year: 1 year

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  1. Manchester Metropolitan University

Course: Banking and Finance (BSC Hons)

Course Timeline: 3 years full-time

Placement / study abroad: 1 year

Course: International Hospitality Business Management (BSC Hons)

Course Timeline: 3 years full-time

Placement/ study abroad: 1 year

  1. Leeds Beckett University

Course: Accounting and Finance (BA Hons)

Course Timeline: 3 years full-time

Placement: 1 year

Check out: The finest countries to find jobs easily

  1. Middlesex University

Course: Fashion Design (BA Hons)

Course Timeline: 3 years full-time

Placement: 6 weeks

Course: Business Management (Marketing) (BA Hons)

Course Timeline: 3 years full-time

Placement: 1 year

For students who wish to pursue an MBA sandwich course in the UK, it will be a full 2-year postgraduate programme with an apprenticeship of 45-52 weeks. 

Universities That Do Sandwich Courses For MBA studies:

  1. Birmingham City University

Course: MBA

Timeline: 12 months

Placement: 4 months internship

  1. Loughborough University

Course: MBA

Timeline: 2 years

Placement: 1 year

  1. Kingston University London

Course: MBA

Timeline: 2 years

Placement: 1 year

  1. University Of Sunderland

Course: MBA

Timeline: 18 months & 24 months

Placement: 1 year

If you’re not sure if a Sandwich Course is ideal for you, consider whether or not hands-on practical experience is a requirement of your programme. If you answered yes, you should think about obtaining both theoretical and practical experience.

FAQs

1) What does a sandwich course mean in the UK?

A Sandwich Course in the United Kingdom is a degree programme in which you work on a project/internship/study abroad placement in addition to your studies. Typically, these programmes are divided into two parts: studies in the first and final years, and work/internships in between.

2) Are sandwich courses in the UK worth it?

Sandwich courses give students a significant advantage as they are more skilled at work than in traditional study courses. These courses give you an advantage when applying for jobs because they prepare you for the actual work. So there is no doubt that the career opportunities following sandwich courses in the UK are incredible.

3) How long is a sandwich course in the UK?

Most UK universities offer a 3-year undergraduate sandwich programme in which you study for two years and work on a project/internship/study abroad placement in the third year (before joining the final year). The internship must last a minimum of nine months.

4) Is the cost of a sandwich course in the UK higher?

Yes, the cost of a sandwich course in the UK is higher than that of a traditional full-time course since you must pay for an additional year. Each university determines the cost of a placement year. For instance,  at Loughborough University, you must pay 20% of the tuition fee as a placement year fee.

5) What should you know before applying for a sandwich course in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, a sandwich course is a degree programme in which you work for 9 months to a year before going back to classes for the remainder of the programme. These courses are significantly longer than a traditional degree, but the advantage is that universities usually provide you with a placement, and this professional experience is extremely valuable when you finish and begin looking for work.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog on “What Is A Sandwich Course In The UK: Work & Experience” if you did, then make sure you check out our other informative blogs linked below!

1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities, Specialisations & Eligibility”

  1. I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further

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Sandwich courses in the UK

What Is A Sandwich Course In The UK: Work & Experience

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