Fees and money for work placements
When you plan a placement in the UK or abroad there are different money topics you need to think about, including:
- your tuition fees during a work placement
- costs of living in different places
- whether you can do paid work
- different cost savings you may be able to claim.
Tuition fees during a work placement
When you do a work placement year, your tuition fee is reduced for that year.
UK/EU students
If you are a UK student, your fee for your work placement year will be reduced to 15% of your usual tuition fee.
For example:
if you're a UK or EU student paying the £9,250 tuition fee, the reduced work placement fee will be £1,385.
For students paying the £9,535 tuition fee, the reduced work placement fee will be £1430.25
For students paying the £9,000 tuition fee, the reduced fee will be £1,350.
International students
If you're an international student, the amount you will pay depends on your year of entry. See tuition fees for study abroad.
Work placements in the UK
The cost of living in different locations within the UK can vary. It may not be too different from being in Leeds, but there are things you should research and plan.
For example, you can apply for a Registration Status Certificate to confirm your student status for Council Tax purposes.
London weighting
When you do a work placement in London you can claim London weighting on your student loan.
To do this, you’ll need:
- your work address
- your residential address on your application (or as soon as possible if you don’t know at the time).
You need to update your term time address in Student Services. You can access Student Services using the icon on the Minerva toolbar.
You may also be eligible to apply for a 18+ Student Oyster Photocard.
Get advice
The Careers Service Work Placements team can give you advice on areas to consider ahead of work experience or an unpaid work placement.
Email workplacements@leeds.ac.uk.
Work placements abroad
While you are abroad, you’ll need to know what money you will have coming in and out so you can budget. It’s good to research potential costs ahead of making a commitment
You should also check any visa implications or insurance considerations.
Get advice
The Careers Service offers useful information about working abroad.
They can provide general advice when you're thinking about working abroad. They also have a lot of resources that answer common questions.
To speak to the Careers Service team you can visit them on campus at 5-7 Cromer Terrace.
The Careers Service is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm during term time.
Paid work during placements
If you're on work placement abroad, check your visa conditions to see if you're allowed to work. You can find information about some countries on the Visas for study abroad page.
Many students do paid work while they're on work placement, but don’t depend on this as a source of funding.
Get advice from your host company and past students about the availability of student jobs.
Politics and parliamentary studies shadowing
London
If you are on the Politics and Parliamentary Studies course and shadow a Member of Parliament in London you can claim London weighting.
When you apply you must quote the Houses of Parliament address: Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA.
Washington/Ottawa
If you attend university in Washington or Ottawa as part of the course, you're exceptionally treated as undertaking unpaid research. This means you are eligible to apply for full means-tested support.