Can I do a placement year on a Student visa?

Yes, if the placement is an integral and assessed part of your course. Your university must confirm this on your CAS. The placement must not exceed 50 percent of the total course length for degree-level courses, or 33 percent for below-degree courses.

Do I need a separate visa for my placement year?

No. Your Student visa covers the placement if it is part of your course and recorded on your CAS. You do not need a Skilled Worker visa or any other work visa for an assessed placement.

Can I work full-time during my placement?

Yes. During your placement, you can work full-time for the placement employer. The usual term-time 20-hour limit does not apply to assessed work placements that form part of your course.

What if I cannot find a placement?

If you cannot find a placement, you typically continue your course without it. Some universities offer alternative modules or allow you to complete a shorter placement. Speak to your university's placement office for options.

Student Visa Placement Year Guide 2026

Work placements on a Student visa are permitted as long as they are an assessed part of your course and recorded on your CAS. There are limits on how long placements can last relative to your course. This guide covers the rules, employer responsibilities, and practical considerations.

What Counts as a Placement?

A work placement (sometimes called a sandwich year, industrial placement, or year in industry) is a period of work experience that forms part of your Student visa course. To be eligible on a Student visa, the placement must be:

An integral and assessed part of your course. The placement contributes to your degree classification or is a mandatory course requirement.
Confirmed on your CAS. Your university must record the placement on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
Within the duration limits. No more than 50% of the total course length for degree-level courses, or 33% for below-degree courses.

Duration Limits

The placement length is calculated as a proportion of your total course length:

Degree level and above: Placement must not exceed 50% of the total course. For a 4-year degree with a placement year, the placement (1 year) is 25% of the total — well within the limit.
Below degree level: Placement must not exceed 33% of the total course length.

Most standard sandwich year courses fall comfortably within these limits. If you are unsure, check with your university's international student team.

Working Hours on Placement

During your assessed placement, you can work full-time for the placement employer. The usual 20-hour term-time limit does not apply to placement work. However, if you take additional work outside your placement (for example, a weekend job), those hours are subject to the normal Student visa work limits.

Employer Responsibilities

Your placement employer must:

Check your right to work (your Student visa permits the placement)
Not sponsor you separately — your university remains your sponsor
Follow normal employment law (pay at least the National Minimum Wage, provide a contract, etc.)

Your employer does not need a sponsor licence for your placement because you are still sponsored by your university.

After Your Placement

Once your placement ends, you return to your academic studies. Your Student visa continues as normal. If your placement employer wants to hire you after graduation, they would need to sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa, or you could use the Graduate route to work for them for up to 2 years without sponsorship.

Next Steps

Speak to your university's placement office and international student team early. They can advise on the visa implications of your specific placement and ensure everything is recorded correctly on your CAS.

Related guides:

For official information, see the GOV.UK Student visa page and the Student route immigration rules.