Sandwich Courses in UK

A Sandwich Course is a 4 to 5-year course that combines an undergraduate/postgraduate degree with a year-long placement in a professional setting. It also involves spending time away from the university on a placement; it can be an entire year or a thin sandwich degree with multiple internships spread across the program. Sandwich courses originated in the UK in the 1950s and later became popular around the world. 

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What is a Sandwich Course in UK?

In the United Kingdom, a Sandwich Course is a degree program in which you work for 9 months to a year before returning to classes for the rest of the program. These courses are clearly longer than a standard degree, but the benefit is that universities generally provide you with a placement, and this work experience is quite valuable when you graduate and begin looking for a job.

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Difference between a Sandwich Course and a Full-time Course

The basic difference between a sandwich course in the UK and a regular program is that the former includes a dedicated year for placement and work experience. Students who wish to complete their degree without taking time off for work experience should enroll in a full-time sandwich program. Many universities in the United Kingdom have introduced mandatory placements for certain subjects like psychology, engineering, business and design. 

While there may be internship possibilities in a normal course, they are generally only for up to 12 weeks whereas in a sandwich course, the placement year lasts 9 to 12 months. Another distinction between the two courses is that placements are not optional in a sandwich course, students have to work in the industry to complete their degree.

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Types of Sandwich Courses in UK

There are two types of sandwich courses: Thin Sandwich Courses and Thick Sandwich Courses.

1. Throughout the year, thin sandwich courses include two to three internships or six months of work.

2. Thick sandwich courses consist of a single one-year internship or work experience in a company. These organizations, companies, and institutions usually have an affiliation to the primary university. This helps the student in getting approvals or offers to work immediately.

Advantages of Pursuing Sandwich Courses in UK

• The biggest advantage of getting a sandwich degree is the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. Students learn to balance practical experience with theoretical knowledge.
• Sandwich courses prepare students for their industry. For instance, mechanical engineering students can get placements with top industry players like Spirit AeroSystems, Caterpillar, McLaren F1, Michelin and Rolls Royce etc. 
• Some courses like non-vocational sandwich degrees that include an additional year of study abroad, the student will gain new cultural and language experiences. For some language courses, primary universities provide students funding to cover students’ expenses abroad.
• Sandwich courses, undoubtedly, provide students with the advantage of being more skilled at work than conventional study courses.
• Multiple internships throughout the year for international students who wish to apply for post study work visas in the UK.
• Sandwich courses allow students to earn money during the program and gain valuable networking skills and opportunities in the relevant industry.

Are Sandwich Courses Offered at all Universities?

Unfortunately, sandwich courses are not available at all universities. Even if your university does provide the possibility for placement, your field of study may not. You do, however, have the option of doing a summer internship. Since they take place over the summer, when the university is closed, they are open to all students. Internships can range in length from four weeks to three months, and they are available in nearly every industry.

Your sandwich placement applications should be professional and tailored to each opportunity. Make sure your CV is current and highlights the key skills required for the position.

If you are required to submit a cover letter, don’t use a generic template. Do some research on the company and the role they are offering and use your cover letter to explain what makes you suitable for the role, what it is about the company that appeals to you, and how you can make a valuable contribution.

Universities Offering Sandwich Courses in UK

There are a few colleges offering Sandwich Courses particularly in subjects identified with Business, Humanities, Engineering, Computer Science and Maths. A few colleges have tie-ups with organizations, and understudies get a chance to work in a particular organization. The following universities offer Sandwich Courses at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in the UK:

University	Courses	Link
University of Bath	Course: Architecture (BSc Hons) Duration: 4 years Placement tenure: 1 year Course: Management (BSc Hons) Duration: 4 years Placement tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Manchester Metropolitan University	Course: Banking and Finance (BSC Hons)Duration: 3 years full-time Placement Tenure: 1 year Course: International Hospitality Business Management (BSC Hons)Duration: 3 years full-time Placement Tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Staffordshire University	Course: Mechanical Engineering (BEng and MEng) Duration: 4 years full-time Placement Tenure: 1 year Course: Cyber security (BSC Hons) Duration: 3 years full-time Placement tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Middlesex University	Course: Fashion Design (BA Hons) Duration: 3 years full-time Placement Tenure: 6 weeks Course: Business Management (Marketing) (BA Hons) Duration: 3 years full-time Placement Tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Leeds Beckett University	Course: Accounting and Finance (BA Hons) Duration: 3 years full-time Placement Tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Loughborough University	Course: MBA Duration: 2 years Placement Tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Birmingham City University	Course: MBA Duration: 12 months Placement Tenure: 4 months internship	Click Here
University of Sunderland	Course: MBA Duration: 18 months and 24 months Placement Tenure: 1 year	Click Here
Kingston University London	Course: MBA Duration: 2 years Placement Tenure: 1 year	Click Here

Eligibility Criteria for Sandwich Courses in UK

Here are the major requirements to study in the UK, which are similar for sandwich courses:

• Minimum 60% from relevant/specified course and recognised board
• Scorecard of English proficiency tests like TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced. (Some universities exempt students from this if they meet the set criteria)
• GMAT/GRE for Masters programs
• Academic Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
• Portfolio (for specific courses)
• A CV (if applicable)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Stipend while Pursuing Sandwich Placements

Employers generally give students on sandwich year placements with a fair salary, despite the fact that it is not a legal obligation. These can range from £11,000 to £25,000 [INE 11 to 25 lakhs], depending on the sector, region, and business, with an average salary of approximately £18,000 [INR 18 lakhs].

How to Apply to UK universities- Step-Wise Guide

International students applying to UK universities must follow a well-researched guide before starting their application process:

Step-1: Shortlist Courses and Universities

The primary step in the application process is to shortlist courses and universities according to your academic profile and preference. Students can shortlist courses and universities through AI-Course Finder and generate a list of universities where they are most likely to get through and plan their application process in advance.

Step-2: Know Your Deadlines

The next step is to know the exact deadlines of universities and colleges in the UK you are planning to apply to. International students have to take the application process well in advance (one year to 6 months before the actual deadline). This ensures that students can fulfil all the college requirements such as SOP, letters of recommendation, English proficiency tests, funding/scholarship options and accommodation.

Step-3: Take Entrance Tests

The third step in the application process for UK universities requires students to take tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or GRE/GMAT/LNAT/BMAT/MAT (in some courses). In some universities, students can be given submit scores for SAT or ACT exams. A new addition to English proficiency tests is the Duolingo Test which allows students to appear for the exam from the comfort of their homes and is accepted across the world.

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Step-4:  Compile Your Documents

The next step is to compile all the required documents and test scores for the application process. This means students should start writing their SOPs, getting letters of recommendation from teachers and supervisors, and arranging their financial statements along with other documents like tests scorecards. With the COVID-19 pandemic, students must download their vaccine certificates and specify the administered vaccine for the application.

Step-5: Get Started with Application

Once you have all the documents in place, students can start the application process either directly or through UCAS. Students applying to Study in UK that accept direct applications can start by applying through the official university website. They have to select the courses, pay the application fees and start the online application process. 

FAQs

Planning to study sandwich courses in the United Kingdom? Get in touch with our Leverage Edu experts at 1800 572 000 and let them help you with your application process, test preps, scholarships, and land an admit at your dream university in the UK.