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Department of Mathematics

A male maths researcher operating industrial equipment

Industrial experience

Our connections can help you gain fantastic industrial experience with leading companies through placements, internships and more.

Internships are invaluable for finding out whether a job and company are suitable for you, and actually finding out what a role entails because it may be very different from your expectations.

Jenny Tyson-Berry / Mathematics graduate

Aligning industrial experience with your academic achievements will allow you to not only gain commercial awareness but also valuable transferable skills - something very important when pursuing a maths-based career.

We can help you bolster your CV through a range of placement and intern opportunities. For more information about how to gain industrial experience, visit the University's Careers Service pages or contact the Department.

Spring weeks and insight days

A number of employers offer week-long short placements to first-year students that usually take place during the Easter break. They are sometimes known as 'spring weeks' or 'talent academies' and are particularly popular among students considering a career in banking, law or professional services.

You could also take advantage of the various insight days that many companies host to give first-year students the chance to experience a day or two in their offices, offering a taste of what working for them would be like and the skills you might need to secure a summer internship.

Companies that offer spring internships, run insight days or organise similar one-off events include the likes of Deloitte, PwC, Unilever and KPMG.

Summer internships

Summer internships are aimed at students in their penultimate year of study. As an intern you'll enhance your employability by gaining knowledge and skills within your chosen service line and benefit from working alongside professionals in the field you hope to go in to.

You could also be considered for an internship if you are in your final year and going on to study for a master's.

PwC, Deloitte, Jaguar Land Rover and EY are just some of the big-name companies that offer internships.

Year placements

Many companies offer industrial placements; they typically last between nine and 12 months and run from July, August or September to the following summer. They are full-time roles and you'll be regarded as a full employee of the organisation. Most placements are paid and you should expect to earn an annual salary.

This gives you an opportunity to gain invaluable work-based experience and learn more about yourself and the workplace. In turn, you will be able to make better choices about your career post-graduation. Many students who complete a year placement are taken on by the same employer once they have finished their studies. 

Examples of the companies seeking maths students for a year placement include Virgin Media, PwC and Airbus.

Recruitment takes place throughout the second year; we will provide you with all the support you need to secure your chosen placement. If you aren't already enrolled on a "with placement" programme, you can choose to switch to a "with placement" programme after you secure your placement. This allows you to keep your options open when studying here.

Voluntary work

Volunteering is an excellent way of learning new skills and enhancing your CV while making a difference to either the environment or the people in your community. Employers value many of the skills that are evident in voluntary work.

There are hundreds of groups and organisations that require help, and opportunities for mathematics and related areas include Manchester Girl Geeks and the Museum of Science and Industry. We also have our own University-led schemes such as Stellify and Ethical Grand Challenges.