Industry Insights
An industry placement is a chance to apply your learning and develop valuable professional skills. With support from dedicated careers staff, Aaron secured a year-long position with Primark Dublin as part of his degree. He gained hands-on experience that became the launchpad for a successful career in user experience (UX) design.
Aaron, BSc Interactive Media (with placement year),
Class of 2025
“When I was choosing a degree, I knew I wanted to work in a creative tech role. The only problem was that I had no idea which one. The Interactive Media course at York caught my attention because every single module sounded like something I would actually enjoy learning.
“It also came with the option of a placement year, and for me, that was non-negotiable. Entering such a competitive industry, a degree is important, but experience is the golden ticket.”
Getting stuck in
“I found my placement at Primark through the University’s placement resources. Before I knew it, I was packing my bags for Dublin.
“My role as a Technology Placement Student was anything but boring. Some days were full of meetings, planning sessions and user interviews. Other days, I would be overhauling current designs, testing them with real users and presenting updates to the team and stakeholders.
“It was the perfect mix of creativity and professional challenge, and I thrived on the variety and pressure.
“The University was there for me throughout. They helped me polish and refine my CV, prepare for interviews, sort out the logistics of moving abroad, plus they checked in regularly while I was away. That support made a big difference.”
Personal growth
“The experience taught me more than just perfecting my technical skills. I learned how to manage my time, communicate clearly, present with confidence and work with all sorts of different people. I even briefly tested out other roles within the company, but my time with the UX design team confirmed it was exactly where I wanted to be.
“When my placement ended, the UX lead asked me to stay on part-time during my final year. It meant juggling my degree with three days a week of professional work, but it also meant I graduated with two years of industry experience.
“That gave me the edge I needed to land my current role as a UX Designer at THG Ingenuity, where I work on websites and services for brands such as MyProtein, LOOKFANTASTIC, Holland & Barrett, and Disney.”
Give it a go
“If you are wondering whether a placement year is worth it, my immediate answer is yes. No hesitation. I would rather say 'oh well' than 'what if'. Even if you don’t find your dream job, you’ll come away with new skills, more confidence and a much clearer idea of what you want next.”
The University of York is among the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK's leading graduate employers. The Graduate Market in 2026.
The University of York is among the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK's leading graduate employers. The Graduate Market in 2026.
The University of York is among the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK's leading graduate employers. The Graduate Market in 2026.
“When I was choosing a degree, I knew I wanted to work in a creative tech role. The only problem was that I had no idea which one. The Interactive Media course at York caught my attention because every single module sounded like something I would actually enjoy learning.
“It also came with the option of a placement year, and for me, that was non-negotiable. Entering such a competitive industry, a degree is important, but experience is the golden ticket.”
Getting stuck in
“I found my placement at Primark through the University’s placement resources. Before I knew it, I was packing my bags for Dublin.
“My role as a Technology Placement Student was anything but boring. Some days were full of meetings, planning sessions and user interviews. Other days, I would be overhauling current designs, testing them with real users and presenting updates to the team and stakeholders.
“It was the perfect mix of creativity and professional challenge, and I thrived on the variety and pressure.
“The University was there for me throughout. They helped me polish and refine my CV, prepare for interviews, sort out the logistics of moving abroad, plus they checked in regularly while I was away. That support made a big difference.”
Personal growth
“The experience taught me more than just perfecting my technical skills. I learned how to manage my time, communicate clearly, present with confidence and work with all sorts of different people. I even briefly tested out other roles within the company, but my time with the UX design team confirmed it was exactly where I wanted to be.
“When my placement ended, the UX lead asked me to stay on part-time during my final year. It meant juggling my degree with three days a week of professional work, but it also meant I graduated with two years of industry experience.
“That gave me the edge I needed to land my current role as a UX Designer at THG Ingenuity, where I work on websites and services for brands such as MyProtein, LOOKFANTASTIC, Holland & Barrett, and Disney.”
Give it a go
“If you are wondering whether a placement year is worth it, my immediate answer is yes. No hesitation. I would rather say 'oh well' than 'what if'. Even if you don’t find your dream job, you’ll come away with new skills, more confidence and a much clearer idea of what you want next.”
Almost all of our undergraduate degrees offer a placement year option to gain work experience. These structured opportunities are integrated into your studies. Find your edge by gaining practical experience that boosts your employability.
Placements and work experience are a key element to our courses at York. Discover ways to boost your CV:
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