Get future ready

You'll graduate with more than just a degree. Your course is designed to build real-world skills throughout:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Digital literacy
• Problem-solving; and more.

Our modules will challenge you to apply your learning and start tackling the sorts of scenarios you’ll find in the workplace.

All our degrees are flexible, meaning you can shape them to suit your goals with one of our work, study or volunteering opportunities. 

Guidance from your lecturers is complemented with peer-to-peer coaching and services from our employability experts in the Careers Service.

Natsune's experience 

"There are lots of opportunities throughout the degree. I had an internship with a university hospital in the summer, and now I want to go into medical physics in my future career. Being able to apply knowledge to the real world contextualised the content of my learning."

Want to take real work experience? A placement year is an incredible way to immerse yourself in the workplace and stand out to employers when you graduate.

Our flexible degrees give you the option to add a placement year once you're here.

Why do a placement year?

• Work in a real role and return to your course a year later
• Build skills that employers value
• Gain experience for your CV
• Make professional contacts 
• Your placement will be recognised on your degree certificate.

You can apply in the autumn term of your second year, ready to begin the following year.

It isn't competitive to apply, you just need to secure a role. The placement team will support you throughout the process. 

See more of the world and learn in a new country

You don't need to be on a 'year abroad' course, as this option is open to all students.

Your options:

• European Exchange - Study in countries like Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands or Sweden
• International Exchange - Go further to places like Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Mexico and the USA
• International Summer Schools - You can apply for a shorter placement in the summer at one of our European and International Exchange partner universities

Depending on your course, the year will either be assessed through reflective writing, or your marks from your partner university will be transferred to your Royal Holloway student record.

Why go abroad?

• Experience a new culture
• Boost your CV
• Push yourself out of your comfort zone
• The Government's Turing Scheme is available to help eligible students with funding

Applications open in the autumn term of your second year. You can find out more and meet the study abroad team as the Global Experience Fair in mid-October and an information session in early November.

Find out more on our studying abroad pages.

Get stuck in, make a difference and gain valuable skills.

Every year, our students support local and global projects and you can help out where it matters, either on a regular basis locally or on a project abroad. 

Ways to get involved:

• Community Action - help out with one over 300 Community Action partners, such as local schools, charities and non-profit organisations
• Social Action Projects - student-led initiatives such as teaching young refugees, hosting events for local elderly people or nature conservation
• Volunteering Abroad - take your voluntary work across the world with one of our approved partners - you can take a year out or take part over the summer
• Community Research - use your academic skills to help a local organisation, such as Harry's Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust, The Egham Town Team and many more.

You can read more about how it works here.

Our Careers Service is available to you from day one of your degree for up to two years after you graduate. 

• Discover what excites you with one-to-one coaching and mentoring tailored to your goals
• Get ahead with practical support on CVs, applications and interviews
• Gain sector-specific advice to help set you off on the right career path
• Boost your skills with digital tools and refine your interview techniques 
• Turn your ideas into reality with expert entrepreneurship coaching and support
• Connect with employers through jobs fairs and events and join a global alumni network of over 115,000+ graduates

Find out more about the help available from the Careers Service here.

On campus

Royal Holloway employs around 1 in 7 of our students and there are lots of part-time jobs on the campus, such as restocking shelves in the library, bar and catering work or supporting new students as a Peer Mentor. 

The Students’ Union alone employs more than 300 students. And if you can’t commit to regular work, there are ad-hoc shifts available like helping with exam invigilation or helping as a car park attendant. 

Find out more about part-time jobs on campus.

In the local area

There are also many opportunities to find part-time work in the local area including seasonal work at Legoland, Thorpe Park and Windsor Castle; hospitality at Ascot and local hotels; and retail roles in nearby Staines or Windsor. 

These are organised by our Careers Service and are a good place to start your search, with local companies recruiting for roles in hospitality, sport, education and retail, as well as on-campus opportunities.

Find out more about our part-time jobs fairs.

If you study in the UK on a student visa, you can usually work part-time during your studies and full-time outside of term, but your employment must always follow the specific conditions and hour limits set by your visa.

You can find out more on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website here.

“My placement year in the NHS helped me understand the steps I need to take to become qualified. I got experience of using my learning in practice and a better understanding of how it feels to work in a hospital. I could honestly talk about it for hours!”

Ellie, BSc Psychology, did a placement with the NHS as an Honorary Assistant Psychologist

“My Media Internship at Adobe helped me narrow down my career path and exposed me to various roles within media companies that I hadn’t been aware of! Working with such a well-established company has shown potential employers I’m an experienced, capable and qualified candidate.”

Saima, BSc Digital Media Culture and Technology