What is a Sandwich Course?
A sandwich course is a unique higher education program combining academic study with extended periods of practical work experience. This integrated approach, also known as a sandwich degree, typically includes a “placement year” or “industrial placement” where students work full-time in a professional setting. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing valuable real-world skills alongside academic knowledge. Many UK universities offer these programs, aiming to enhance graduate employability.
What is a thick Sandwich Year?
A “thick sandwich year” refers to an undergraduate degree structure that typically spans four years.
It involves a single, continuous work placement of usually 9-12 months. This extended placement often occurs between the second and final academic years of the degree.
Students gain deep, immersive experience in an industry relevant to their studies, applying theoretical knowledge and developing crucial professional skills over a significant period.
What is a thin Sandwich Year?
In contrast, a “thin sandwich year” integrates multiple, shorter placement or internship periods throughout the degree. Rather than one long, unbroken year in industry, students might undertake several placements of a few weeks or months each.
This offers exposure to diverse work environments or roles. While less immersive than a thick sandwich, it still provides valuable practical experience and can be better suited for certain disciplines or student preferences.
Why Choose a Sandwich Course?
Opting for a sandwich course offers numerous benefits, significantly boosting your career prospects and personal development. You’ll gain hands-on experience, making your CV stand out to employers. This practical exposure helps solidify academic learning and can lead to a better degree classification upon your return. Furthermore, it allows you to explore potential career paths before graduation, ensuring a more confident transition into the workforce.
- Enhanced Employability: Graduates with placement experience are highly sought after.
- Skill Development: Apply academic knowledge and develop crucial soft and hard skills.
- Career Clarity: “Test-drive” a role or industry before committing long-term.
- Networking: Build professional connections that can open doors to future opportunities.
Is a Placement Year Always Part of a Sandwich Course?
Yes, by definition, a placement year is an integral and assessed part of a sandwich course. It’s not merely an extracurricular activity but a structured component that contributes to your final degree. While some degree programs offer optional internships, a true “sandwich” degree mandates the work placement as part of its curriculum, extending the overall study duration, often to four years for undergraduate degrees.
Can a Sandwich Year Boost Your Earning Potential?
Absolutely! A sandwich year can significantly enhance your earning potential post-graduation. Graduates who undertake a sandwich course often secure higher-paying jobs and progress faster in their careers. Recent studies in the UK suggest that students who completed a sandwich course have earned over £1600 more annually than full-time students three years after graduation. This financial advantage reflects the value employers place on practical experience.
Apply for a Sandwich Placement
Applying for a sandwich placement is similar to applying for a graduate job, requiring preparation and strategic effort. Most students begin their search and application process during their second year of university. Key steps include researching companies, tailoring your CV and cover letter, and preparing for interviews and assessment centres. Starting early is crucial as applications can open from September onwards for placements beginning the following year.
Exploring Placement Opportunities by Industry
theInterna connects students with diverse placement opportunities across various sectors, allowing you to gain valuable experience in an industry that aligns with your career goals. Explore our key sectors below:
Where Can You Find Help Securing a Placement?
Securing a sandwich placement requires proactive searching and the right support. Your university’s careers service is a key resource—offering guidance, workshops, and access to job portals. Beyond that, independent platforms like theInterna are growing in value, connecting students with exciting placement opportunities across various industries.
- University Careers Services: CV reviews, interview practice, placement fairs.
- Online Job Boards: Specialized placement sites and job aggregators.
- Company Websites: Many large employers post sandwich placements directly.
- Networking: Use professional connections and attend industry events.
- Independent Providers: Platforms like theInterna offer diverse roles, especially in startups.
When Does Your Placement Take Place?
For most undergraduate sandwich courses, the placement year typically takes place between the second and final academic years. This means you complete two years of study, then undertake your 9-12 month work placement, before returning to university to complete your fourth and final year. This timing allows you to apply knowledge gained in your initial studies while also bringing practical insights back to your final year.
When Do Students Typically Do a Placement Year?
The most common time to undertake a placement year is between the second and final year of an undergraduate degree. This means a 3-year degree becomes a 4-year degree (e.g., Year 1, Year 2, Placement Year, Final Year).
Can You Work Abroad on a Sandwich Course?
Yes, opportunities to undertake a sandwich placement abroad do exist! While many placements are UK-based, theInterna offers exciting placement year opportunities around the globe, significantly broadening your horizons and enhancing your international employability. If you’re considering an overseas placement, discuss this early with your university’s careers or international office, as it may involve additional planning for visas, funding, and local regulations.
Do You Pay Tuition Fees During a Sandwich Year?
Yes, you typically pay tuition fees during your sandwich year, but usually at a significantly reduced rate compared to a full-time study year. For the 2024/25 academic year in the UK, the reduced fee for a sandwich placement year can be around £1,850 for providers with a TEF award. It’s crucial to check the specific fees charged by your university, as these can vary.
Will You Get Paid During Your Sandwich Year?
Most sandwich placements in the UK are paid, offering a valuable income stream during your year in industry. This income helps cover living costs and can reduce your reliance on student loans. Payment rates vary widely depending on the industry, company size, location, and the specific role’s responsibilities. While some placements may be unpaid, paid opportunities are generally the norm.
What's the Average Salary for a Sandwich Course Placement?
- Typical Compensation: Many of our placements, particularly within the startup ecosystem, offer a monthly compensation ranging from €400 to €800. This can vary depending on the role’s demands and whether it’s full-time or part-time.
- Value Beyond Pay: These figures reflect a different kind of return on investment. Interns gain:
- Unparalleled Hands-on Experience: Direct involvement in impactful projects.
- Rapid Skill Development: A steep learning curve in fast-paced environments.
- Direct Impact: The chance to see your contributions shape a growing business.
- Networking: Close interaction with founders and industry professionals.
- The Startup Advantage: The long-term career benefits and learning opportunities from startup placements often outweigh initial compensation. Discover more about interning at a startup here.
What About Unpaid Placements?
While most sandwich placements offer a salary, some opportunities, particularly in competitive sectors or non-profits, may be unpaid.
Even without pay, these placements can provide invaluable benefits like gaining critical industry experience and building a professional network that boosts your future employability.
Understanding the legal framework is crucial for unpaid placements, as regulations protect interns. Consult our guide on laws on internships for your rights and employer obligations. Always weigh experience against financial implications.
Can You Get Student Finance, Grants, or Scholarships for a Sandwich Year?
Yes, you can typically get student finance for your sandwich year, although the amounts for maintenance loans might be reduced. You will still be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the reduced tuition fees charged by your university.
Additionally, some universities, charitable organisations, or even the placement provider may offer grants, bursaries, or scholarships specifically for students undertaking placements. It’s essential to research these options thoroughly to maximise your financial support.
Do You Pay Tuition Fees During a Sandwich Year?
Yes, you typically pay tuition fees during your sandwich year, but usually at a significantly reduced rate compared to a full-time study year. For the 2024/25 academic year in the UK, the reduced fee for a sandwich placement year can be around £1,850 for providers with a TEF award. It’s crucial to check the specific fees charged by your university, as these can vary.
The History of Sandwich Courses
This innovative approach, pioneered by Alexander Russell, a Scottish electrical engineer, aimed to interweave theoretical learning with industrial training. Over time, these programs became widespread, bridging the gap between education and industry. Key milestones in its development include:
- Early 20th Century: The concept was initially pioneered by Alexander Russell.
- 1945: A report by the Ministry of Education in the United Kingdom formally advocated for a new kind of education that interwove theoretical studies and industrial training for technical college students.
- 1950: The term “sandwich” was first used in a report by the National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce.
- Early 1950s: Proposals for sandwich courses were formulated, emphasizing close collaboration between industry and colleges.
- 1953: Newcastle Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Arts degree in “Design for Industry” became an early example, extending from three to four years with industrial placements and popularizing the term “sandwich course”.
- 1956: The growth of sandwich courses was further encouraged by a Ministry of Education white paper on Technical Education.
- 1958–1965: Marie Jahoda helped establish a four-year, thin-sandwich psychology degree at what is now Brunel University.
- 1960s: Architectural education in the UK began introducing sandwich courses.
Global Reach of Sandwich Courses
While prominently featured in the UK, sandwich courses also have a significant international presence.
- France has a strong tradition of these programs.
- Countries like Spain and Italy also have a notable presence of integrated work experience programs.
- Similar degree structures can also be found in countries such as Australia, Denmark (e.g., Royal School of Library and Information Science), India, and Norway (e.g., optometry).
- Several Francophone nations in Africa, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Ghana, and Nigeria, also offer sandwich courses.
- Specific international courses, like the Master of IT in Business, are typically structured as sandwich courses.
This global presence underscores the universal recognition of the value that integrated work experience brings to higher education.
Impactful Careers of Sandwich Program Alumni
Many successful individuals have built thriving careers after completing sandwich courses, proving the value of early work experience in shaping long-term success. Their diverse achievements highlight how a sandwich year can provide a strong foundation for professional growth.
Notable alumni who completed sandwich courses include:
- Rick Dickinson – Designer associated with Sinclair; alumnus of Newcastle Polytechnic’s “Design for Industry” degree.
- Jony Ive – Former Chief Design Officer at Apple; also from Newcastle Polytechnic’s “Design for Industry” course.
- Nicola Pellow – Early contributor to the World Wide Web; studied at Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University).
- Olga FitzRoy – Award-winning audio engineer and campaigner; graduate of the University of Surrey.
- Sean Ekins – Noted pharmacologist; studied at Nottingham Trent Polytechnic.
- Bunmi Olaye – Founder of luxury fashion brand Bunmi Koko; studied at the University of East London.
- Lorraine Gradwell – Fashion Design and Management graduate from Middlesbrough Art College and Hollins College.
- Colin Larkin – Expert in typography and book design; studied at the London College of Printing.
FAQs about What is a Sandwich Course
Is a sandwich course longer than a standard degree?
Yes. Most sandwich courses add an extra year to a standard degree, typically making it four years instead of three (or five instead of four for integrated master’s).
Can international students do a sandwich course in the UK?
Yes, but they must check visa eligibility and ensure the work placement is approved as part of their Tier 4/Student Route visa.
Are sandwich courses available at postgraduate level?
While rare, some master’s programs (especially in business, engineering, and IT) offer integrated work placements and may be referred to as “sandwich” or “professional” routes.
Can I choose where I do my placement in a sandwich course?
Usually yes. Some courses offer a list of partner companies, while others let students apply independently to approved employers.
What happens if I can’t find a placement?
Some universities allow you to transfer back to a standard degree path or provide additional support to secure a late placement.
Do I need to write a dissertation or project during the placement year?
In many cases, yes. Some sandwich courses require reflective reports, work-based projects, or progress logs that count toward academic credit.
Links Related to What is a Sandwich Course / Year
- Pre-Internship Training Course
- What is the Turing Scheme and how does it work?
- Can I work during my Erasmus year?
- How to decide whether to study a new subject on your Erasmus year
- A Guide to Making the Most of Your Erasmus Experience
- 5 Tips for Building a Strong Personal Brand During Your Internship
- Spain Study Visa
- Interning at a Startup
- Erasmus Internships
- What are Pre-Placement Offers (PPO)?
- What are internships / intern jobs?
