Practical placement advice

Be aware of basic employment rights, health and safety and diversity in the workplace.

Employment rights

In the UK

Every individual working in the UK has a set of basic rights. Become familiar with your basic employment rights. You are entitled to:

  • A proper pay statement showing how much you earn and any deductions
  • A minimum of 28 days’ paid holiday per year
  • Not have illegal deductions made from your pay
  • Paid shared parental leave or adoption leave.

For more information, visit:

Abroad

Employment law is national and different rules will apply if you work abroad. You will need to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (travelling and living overseas section) for information on working abroad.

International students will need to check their visa status to work abroad and details can be found on the embassy webpage of the country where you will be working.

For more information visit:

International students

International students who are studying at the University of Surrey while holding a Student Route Visa sponsored by the University, are permitted to take part in Professional Training as it is an integral and assessed part of your degree programme and complies with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.

Student route visa regulations and policies are subject to frequent change, so we strongly suggest you contact International Student Advice for the most up to date information and guidance.

Keep in touch

As a sponsor, the University is responsible for you and is required to monitor your attendance and report details of your placement provider and location to UKVI when your placement starts as well as provide updates of any changes that occur.

You must maintain your responsibilities as an international student during your placement. 

Placement meetings

You need to complete the required interactions with your Placement Tutor on time. A lack of engagement with your placement may result in the University withdrawing sponsorship of your visa.

Please note that you are not allowed to exceed the prescribed limits on part-time work outside of your Professional Training placement. Find out more about visas as a student at Surrey.

Students with a disability

Placement providers in the UK are required by law to make reasonable adjustments for employees.

If you don’t anticipate your disability affecting your ability to do the job, or compromising your health and safety, you may decide not to disclose your disability. However, It isn’t always possible to predict how things will go and you may find that disclosure will enable you to enter into a partnership with your placement provider that will greatly enhance the benefits of the placement.

Contact our Disability and Neuroinclusion team for support.

Health and safety

The University assesses the safety standards of placement providers through a risk assessment process assisted by the student and the placement provider.

Consideration should be given to the factors outlined in the risk assessment form prior to commencing your placement.

You will be guided on how to assess these, usually by your department, and you must complete a risk assessment form. Those going abroad will also need to submit an Enhanced Risk Assessment for Travel Abroad.

Risk assessment form 50 KB

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The University can help with the assessment of equality and diversity standards in any given country.

If you have any concerns, contact your Professional Training Tutor or MySurrey Hive using Surrey Support.

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