Student Projects and Placements

Discover the latest opportunities for businesses and third sector organisations to work with students.

Students can undertake projects or placements with host organisations to help explore new ideas or solve challenges they lack the resource or knowledge to undertake in-house. There are a variety of opportunities available which may be linked to the student’s degree programme or draw on more generic skills. Projects should be appropriate to the skill level of the student and never business critical. Please note some projects require no or minimal financial commitment, while some do. Please check each on enquiry. To discuss any of the opportunities please email info@interface-online.org.uk

“I have benefitted through Interface from student placements in many disciplines. My experience within working with Interface has been extremely positive and I have gained as much from the students as they have received from their placements. I hope to expand this relationship for many years to come.”

Carol Arnott, Get Set Yeti

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Themes

Business Management – Data analytics, project management, marketing, operations, human resources

Humanities & Social Science – Psychology, sport science, arts, law, health science, environmental, social science

Computing Science – Artificial Intelligence, big data, software engineering, fintech, machine learning, ethical hacking, UX design

Science & Engineering – life science, mechanical, electrical, food science, biotechnology

Creatives – Art & Design, music, gaming, visual communications

STEM Placements

Runs: June 2027 – June 2028. Closing Date: None Specified. Financial Commitment: National Minimum Wage.

Seeking employers who can offer industry and real-world problem solving experience for our STEM programmes with placement opportunities or industry-led projects within areas such as biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, mathematics, and computing.

Organisations can benefit from fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and access to highly skilled students tackling genuine industry challenges.

There are a variety of ways to engage:

Year in Industry Placements – Mechanical and Civil Engineering students can undertake a paid year-long placement between Levels 3 and 4 of their degree programme.
Industry-Focused Honours Projects – Students in disciplines including Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, and other STEM subjects can work on employer-led projects as part of their final-year studies.
Short-Term Project Collaboration – We welcome discussions around real-world industrial challenges that can be incorporated into teaching and student project work.

Whether you are looking to develop future talent, explore innovative solutions to business challenges, or strengthen links with the University contact us to discuss.

Business PEN Projects

Runs: from May and from January. Closing dates: Applications considered all year. Financial Commitment: None

A range of MSc Students looking to gain practical experience in solving real world challenges for business clients.

Subjects include:

International Business Management (IBM)
IBM with Advanced practice
Analytics with Consultancy Advanced Practice
Digital Marketing
International Marketing
International Marketing with Consumer Psychology
Digital Marketing Advance Practice
Supply Chain Management
HR Management
Accountancy
Economics
Finance
Investment Management
Project Management

Computing Placements (Long term)

Runs: 1 year from September or January. Financial Commitment: Paid placements at least National Minimum Wage.

3rd Year Computing students covering a diverse range of degree courses in areas such as:

cybersecurity and digital forensics
software engineering
games development
computing science
business computing
digital media
web design

These placements must be full time, a minimum of 48 weeks, can be remote, hybrid or site based and paid at least National Minimum Wage to meet module requirements.

Example Job Titles:

Student Software Engineer
Web Development & Support Assistant
Data Analyst
UX Engineer

Mass Communication Placement

Runs Sept – Dec or Jan-May. Available to apply all year round. Financial Commitment: No payment required however they encourage offering expenses, a stipend, or a wage where feasible.

3rd year Undergraduate students studying BA Hons Mass Communication are looking for opportunities to complete a placement between 80-100 hours.

Students are looking to secure opportunities that involve real-life projects and meaningful work, supported by the development of both technical and transferable skills on a remote, hybrid or on-site basis.

The Mass Communication course includes modules on:

Communication & Practice
Global Current Affairs
Popular Culture
Social Media & Analytics
Mass Communications Research Methods
Branding.

Computer Science Placements

Closing date’s September & May. Runs Sep-Dec and May-Jul. Financial Commitment: None.

3 month placements – flexible 180 hours

Course covered include:

cybersecurity and digital forensics
software engineering
games development
computing science
business computing
digital media
web design
animation
social media
graphic design
soundscapes/podcasts

Civil & Environmental Engineering Projects

Runs: Various times across the year. Closing dates: Various times. Financial Commitment: None but should be willing to cover expenses.

Several opportunities available for collaborative projects throughout the year. Civil & Engineering students looking to engage with industry partners to put their learning into practice.

Project opportunities available with Undergraduate students, Graduate apprenticeships and Postgraduate projects.

Degree topics include:

Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Hydrogeology
Sustainability and Environmental Studies
Geo-environmental Engineering
Integrated Pollution prevention and control
Climate Change adaption.

Business Administration projects

Runs Various times throughout the year – See below. Financial Commitment: None.

The project is typically undertaken on a professional consultancy basis. The range of business functions a project can address are diverse and include growth or business development, marketing, operations, strategy and finance. New models or processes can be developed or solutions presented to strategic or operational issues. The final report will be directed at senior management or director level.
Examples of previous projects include:
• ‘A Strategic Framework for Co-branded Marketing Promotion’ for Polaroid Eyewear
• ‘Implementing Effective Communication Frameworks to Drive Performance’
• ‘Differentiation Strategies in a Tightly Regulated, Competitive and Mature Market’ for Aviva
• ‘Creating a Sales and Marketing Strategy for a Small Technology Company’

Over 6 months: Projects presented to students for selection end of FEBRUARY. Students begin project in APRIL. Projects submitted for marking AUGUST.
Over 3 months: Projects presented to students for selection end of MARCH, students begin project in JUNE. Projects submitted for marking AUGUST.
Over 6 months: Projects presented to students for selection end of JUNE. Students begin project in OCTOBER. Projects submitted for marking MARCH.
Over 3 months: Projects presented to students for selection end of AUGUST. Students begin project in OCTOBER. Projects submitted for marking JANUARY

Social and Political Sciences (SPS) Placements

Runs: for 8-10weeks May to June/July 2027 Closing date: 30th October 2026. Financial Commitment: Optional but not obligatory

Social & Political MSc students are looking for research projects. These placements are usually on a full time basis over 8-10 weeks during May and July. This placement can be in person, hybrid or remote depending on the needs of the organisation. 

Students on the following 15 postgraduate degree programmes are eligible to apply for a Placement-based dissertation:  

MSc Africa and International Development  
MSc Comparative Public Policy 
MSc Conflict, Security and Development (New PBD Programme for 2025/26) 
MSc Global Environment, Politics & Society  
MSc Global Health Policy  
MSc Global Mental Health & Society  
MSc International Development  
MSc International Development (Online Distance Learning Programme)  
MSc International and European Politics  
MSc Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance  
MSc Medical Anthropology  
MSc Public Policy  
MSc Science and Technology in Society  
MSc Social Research  
MSc Sociology and Global Change

Will consider remote/hybrid/in-person placements.

Psychology placements and projects

Postgrad placements starting in Jan-May (160hrs). Closing Dates: end of Nov. Financial commitment: none.

Training in Psychology is an excellent foundation for a broad range of careers and sectors and equips students with valuable skills including: data management and analysis; quantitative and qualitative research; survey skills; information management; statistics; social media management; literature reviews and report writing; interpersonal skills and networking; fundraising; event management; befriending and others. 

Examples of previous projects

Previous projects reflect the diversity and breadth of skills and knowledge a psychology student can bring to you organisation:

creating a social media campaign to increase awareness of your organisation or product
testing products or service in the design phase
client and service users survey
data analysis
befriending
literature reviews and report writing

Benefits to you

You’ll benefit from access to world-class education and knowledge being applied to your business. Our students get to apply what they learn in a practical setting and provide you, as the host organisation, with an outside perspective on an opportunity, project or problem. Student projects can provide:

Fresh insights to your business area
An opportunity to drive forward a project or part of a project
Access to specialists skills such as data analysis, surveying or statistics
Further links to the University for research and Continuous Professional Development
An opportunity to potentially recruit graduates in the future

Postgraduate project placements should be 160 hours, however students can combine two shorter placements of 80 hours with different organisations.

Product and Graphic Design placements

Runs January – May. Closing date end November. Financial Commitment: optional

3rd Year Undergraduate Product or Graphic design students are looking for placements. These cover topics such as:

Digital Media
Graphic Design
Branding
Product Design
Materials & Manufacture
Prototyping Interactive experiences
3D Modelling
Business & Marketing skills

There is a 120hour, 240hour or 400 hour placement option available.

Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management Projects

Runs: October to May or January to August. Closing Date: 31st August. Financial Commitment: None

The Design, Manufacturing & Engineering Management (DMEM) Industrial Projects scheme enables companies to engage with the Department by setting project briefs for students and student teams.

Over the years we have helped a large number of companies, from start-ups to multinational and public organisations, to explore new ideas, concepts and systems. Collaboration as part of the scheme can help registered companies who lack the necessary time or resource to turn ideas into reality.

Why participate?
Our final-year students and student teams from the following programmes bring fresh insights and skills to your current challenges and strategic goals:
• Product Design Engineering
• Product Design and Innovation
• Sports Design Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering with Management

Partnering with us gives your organisation the opportunity to:
• Explore new ideas, concepts, and prototypes
• Engage with the latest technologies, methods, and materials
• Gain access to cutting-edge university facilities and academic expertise
• Solve problems where you may have limited internal resources at the moment
• Build a talent pipeline—many of our students are later hired by project partners

Psychology Placements

Runs: Between November – April (90 hours typically between 4-6months) Closing Date: 31st August Financial Commitment: None

Psychology students are looking for placement opportunities to support their MSc studies. Placements could offer:

psychology-related work experience such as co-facilitating a support group
providing general psychological support to service users
developing resources
assessing service users’ wellbeing
assessing outcome of support
conducting research within your organisation
help writing a research report

Computing Placements

Runs: June 2027 – September 2028. Closing Date: No Closing date specified. Financial Commitment: National Minimum Wage.

These computing placements offers employers the opportunity to host talented Computing students on a Year in Industry placement between Levels 3 and 4 of their undergraduate degree programme.

These placements run from June to June and provide organisations with access to motivated students who can contribute to real-world projects while developing valuable industry experience. Placements should be paid positions and involve work primarily focused on software development, cybersecurity, IT systems, data, or related computing projects throughout the placement year.

Hosting a placement student is an excellent way to bring fresh perspectives to your team, support emerging talent, and build a pipeline for future graduate recruitment.

EPCC High Performance Computing projects

Runs: Jan – August 2027. Closing date: 30th September. Financial Commitment: None.

High Performance Computing (HPC) is the use of powerful processors, networks and parallel supercomputers to tackle problems that are very computationally- or data-intensive. The same HPC techniques can be used to program the world’s largest supercomputers containing hundreds of thousands of processors or to exploit the full potential of a multi-core laptop.

Data science is the use of the scientific method to extract insight from data (both at a small and large scale). Recently, this has grown to encompass the study of machine learning and AI more generally.

Examples of the project topics

Developing algorithms to automate computational tasks

Machine learning

Testing the uses of experimental computing hardware

Training AI faster

Fluid dynamics

Satellite and earth observation analysis

Keeping traffic smooth

Queuing algorithms

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain some valuable assistance to your business and is a particularly simple way of testing R&D avenues that are not business critical, but could have useful outcomes. The application deadline is the end of September. During the months of January to March the students will perform a book study to do all the background research on the project and identify the best way forward. The project is then be completed from May to August.

Student Projects and Placements

Discover the latest opportunities for businesses and third sector organisations to work with students.

Themes

STEM Placements

Business PEN Projects

Computing Placements (Long term)

Mass Communication Placement

Computer Science Placements

Civil & Environmental Engineering Projects

Business Administration projects

Social and Political Sciences (SPS) Placements

Psychology placements and projects

Product and Graphic Design placements

Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management Projects

Psychology Placements

Computing Placements

EPCC High Performance Computing projects

Case Studies

c-monsta

Scottish Counselling Services Ltd

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