Students from the School of Biosciences have been successful in securing a record number of sandwich placements. With still a number of weeks to go until the end of the academic year, this year’s students have secured the highest number the School has ever had in its 30 year history of running as sandwich programme. Among the placement locations are key pharmaceutical companies in the UK (GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble), academic and industrial research institutes (MRC Technology, the Science and Technology Facilities Council) and prestigious research organisations overseas (National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research at the University of Ghana). These successes reflect the high quality of our students and the value placed on the School’s training by our placement partners, with whom we have been able to build very good relationships, together with the support provided by our placement officer, Dr. Pauline Phelan, and the Careers and Employability Service.
Our Sandwich Year programme provides the perfect opportunity to incorporate scientific work experience into a degree. The programme has recently been accredited by the Society of Biology – an indication of the quality of provision on offer. A recent graduate, Chen Liang, said “My sandwich year was an amazing experience. It gave me insight into the pharmaceutical industry and I found a research topic I would like to continue as a career. I really enjoyed working with my team and the skills and techniques I gained will set me apart from other graduates. I cannot recommend it enough, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.”
Many congratulations to our students, and best wishes from the School of Biosciences for your placement year.