Student link, work placement and volunteering opportunities

The School of Social, Historical and Political Studies has developed excellent links with local community organisations and employers so that you can benefit from work-based learning and gain the skills you need for graduate employment.

Work placements

Some subjects offer work placements, for example as part of a professionally accredited course. Please see your course guide/subject staff for further details regarding the third year work placement.

"Having the opportunity, in the final semester of the third year, to attend work placement was something I was truly looking forward to." Read more about Samantha Allison's experience

"The highlight of the course is unequivocally the third year work placement.  At this point three years of theoretical study can finally be applied to the real world and students get an honest taste of life as an interpreter."  Read more about Sally Gillespie's experience

"Throughout the ten week placement I was given the opportunity to observe a wide range of interpreting scenarios whilst shadowing experienced interpreters." Read more about Tracey Arrowsmith

Student link scheme

This scheme, which is a part of a course module, enables students to work with organisations from the voluntary, public or commercial sector to carry out a small scale research/applied project which carries accreditation as part of a study programme, and which is also of use to the host organisation. Whether or not the research experience is directly related to future career aspirations, you are able to develop a variety of research, organisational and transferable skills in a professional setting which will extend and enhance your vocational experience.

Subjects currently offering this opportunity are:

• Deaf Studies
• Politics
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• War Studies

"I have very much enjoyed this module and have gained a lot from the actual experience of working with people and with Deaf people; I would not have had if I had chosen to do a written project."  Read more about Suzanne Healy's experience

Volunteering

Volunteer Central is a University-wide scheme giving you the chance to put some spare hours to good use volunteering in the community. There may be course-specific volunteering opportunities too. For example, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Sociology and Social Policy students can apply to join the Wolverhampton Legal Companions Scheme, operated by the Law School.