Maynooth University Placement Team offers appointments, in-person (location will be confirmed in booking confirmation details) or virtually, via Microsoft Teams. You can book an appointment online on the MU Placement Connect portal.
The Maynooth University Placement Team provides a series of employability seminars, workshops and information sessions to prepare and support you during the placement programme. It is mandatory to attend some of these as they provide essential information. You will also have the opportunity to meet those involved in arranging your placement and provides an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
Before applying to your chosen company/organisation, it is important to prepare a CV and practice for the pre-screening and interview stage. Please read our CV Checklist before submitting your CV for a Placement Opportunity. More information on CV's and Workshops in relation to your degree can be found on Moodle.
Saving your CV
Save your CV with the following name format: First name_Surname_CV.doc or First name_Surname_CV.pdf
When tailoring your CV for a particular role or company, include this details in the naming of your file i.e. Morgan_Smith_ABCcompany_CV
Finding your own Placement
Should you secure your own placement, please ask your employer to complete a Placement Proposal Form available through the Placement Team. Please return the completed Placement Proposal Form to the Placement Team. Email [email protected] with the subject line "StudentName_Placement Proposal Form_CompanyName". The offer will be reviewed to ensure that it is academically relevant and meets the criteria of the placement programme.
LGBTI+ inclusive companies
The Maynooth University Placement Team provides a series of employability seminars, workshops and information sessions to prepare and support you during the placement programme. It is mandatory to attend some of these as they provide essential information on interviews. Students will also have the opportunity to meet those involved in arranging your placement and provides an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
Being invited for an interview means that your CV has succeeded and it gives you the opportunity to expand on details provided in your CV. More information on pre-screening and interview strategies available on Moodle.
If an employer selects you for a role that you applied for you must accept it if staying on the Placement Programme.
Interview Simulation
Our MU Simulated Interview Platform, Shortlist.Me, offers a fully interactive, flexible, and engaging online platform for you to undertake professional, timed and competency-based interview scenarios which offer a real-life style interview experience virtually. With a number of interview scenarios to choose from across multiple sectors, the platform is a helpful resource to anyone who is looking to practice and enhance their interview technique. It is a great starting point to find out what sort of questions you might be asked, as all the practice interviews have been formulated by real graduate employers from a range of industry sectors.
Increasingly, this type of interview is being used by graduate recruiters, as it enhances flexibility for both the candidate and the employer.
This platform enables you to:
- Record yourself answering popular interview questions
- Watch your answers back and retry
- Get useful tips on what employers are looking for when they ask certain questions
- Get AI feedback on your pace and filler words
Accessing Your Practice Simulated Interview
Click on the MU Simulated Interview Platform and select your preferred practice interview. You will be asked to complete a brief registration form (MU email address required) and will then be able to access and complete your practice video interview. After your practice interview, you will be sent a report with access to your recorded answers and automated AI feedback, which looks at your pace of speech and the "filler" words you use. This typically takes up to an hour to generate.
Accredited work placement/internships opportunities are currently advertised on Placement Connect and are viewable to students who are eligible for work placement as part of their MU degree.
Finding your own placement
Should you secure your own placement, please ask your employer to complete the Placement Proposal Form available through the Placement Team. Please return the completed form to [email protected] with the file titled, "Placement_Proposal Form_CompanyName". The offer will be reviewed to ensure that it is academically relevant and meets the criteria of the placement programme.
Student Terms and Conditions
Securing a placement when you have a disability can be intimidating. You might worry about how you are going to get through the interview process and if the work environment will be suitable, it can be very stressful for students. However, there is no need for concern, the process is not as daunting as you might think.
The Maynooth University Placement Team works closely with the Access Office so we can offer the support needed to secure your placement. It is also encouraged to talk to a representative of the Maynooth University Access Office to find out all the information relating to supports offered and about needs assessment and disclosure.
Disclosure
Disclosure is decided by the student. You have the option to disclose or not. We would encourage students that are registered with the Maynooth University Access Office to engage with your Access Advisor. The Placement Team will work with you and your Access Advisor to support you and secure an appropriate placement. Your Access Advisor will carry out a needs assessment with you, give advice on disclosure and reasonable accommodations available.
All documents, information, and discussion between the student, Maynooth University Access Office and Placement Team is confidential and will not be disclosed to any third party unless directed by the student.
Information about a disability will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018.
Your University transcript will not include any information on your disability, significant on going illness or specific learning disability.
The Maynooth University Placement Programme is an exciting opportunity to explore a potential career path, but for some mature students it can be daunting. However there is no need to fear this work based element on your education journey. The Placement Team is available and ready to help make the placement process easier by offering CV workshops and Interview prep, as well as webinars and presentations throughout the academic year. There is also opportunity to meet prospective employers at the webinars and placement and career fairs.
The Placement Team can be contacted at any point during the Placement Programme at [email protected]
It is a long time since I have had a job interview. How do I prepare for this?
There are a few ways to prepare you for the interview stage of the programme.
- Attend the Placement Office webinars and lectures, which focus on CV and interview preparation
- View the advice on CV and interviews on the Preparing For Placement section above
- Use ShortList.Me, the interview preperation platform made available by the Placement Team, to prepare and conduct practice interviews
- Check the Placement Connect portal and Placement Moodle page for your degree
I'm interested in the placement programme, but I cannot travel too far due to family commitments. Can I get a local placement?
Although every effort will be made to accommodate your particular situation, we cannot guarantee a local placement.
As a mature student can I apply for an exemption from the placement programme?
If the placement is an integral accredited module of your degree you must complete the required placement. There is no exception. Prior work experience is not considered. However, if you are undertaking an optional placement “year” (9-12 months) you may withdraw before securing a job offer and progress to your next academic year. Once you have a job offer you are expected to complete the terms of the role as agreed with the employer.
Maynooth University Placement Team partners with academic departments to prepare postgraduate students for the current world of work. Postgraduate degrees with an accredited placement or placement options are supported by the Placement Team by way of webinars, workshops, CV clinics, mock interviews, employer visits and peer experience tutorials. The placements range from 3 months upwards. Postgraduate students can also secure graduate roles as part of their placement programme.
Taking part in the placement programme while you study has many benefits. It allows you to try a career path, increase your employability skills and gain skills that employers value.
Maynooth University Placement Team has a solid track record of placement with a range of industry sectors in Ireland and Internationally. Placement outside the Irish jurisdiction is possible. Erasmus+ Traineeship Mobility Grants may be available also. Click on the International Placements tab below for further information.
An international placement will involve many of the same preparation steps as a placement based in Ireland. Students will work internationally for the required period of time. Upon completion the student submits the required documentation to their academic department in fulfilment of the degree. Taking advantage of an international placement allows you to gain work experience, see theory put into practice, build your network in your industry of interest, gain skills valued by employers, and experience a new culture.
Erasmus+ Traineeship Mobility Grants
Erasmus students can apply for a mobility grant, which is provided by the European Commission. The aim of the mobility grant is to support students with some moving costs such as travel. This grant is not a maintenance grant and the amount varies from year to year and country to country, depending on factors like the cost of living. This is not a means-tested financial support, it does not affect students' entitlements to other grants, such as SUSI or Back to Education.
If you have secured an accredited work placement within the EU and wish to apply for the Erasmus+ Mobility Grant, please contact [email protected]
Students wishing to access the Erasmus+ Mobility Grant may be interested in reading the Erasmus Student Charter.
Placement students are required to report and/or reflect on their placement as part of the placement module. Details on the placement documentation submission will be made available by the academic department. The report/ reflection is reviewed by a member of the academic department. Report guidelines may be given by the academic department. It is important to take note of these guidelines as they differ between departments e.g. Font style, spacing, font size and referencing guidelines.
Is work placement compulsory?
This depends on your degree. Placement is an integral and accredited module for certain degrees, however other degrees (within School of Business or School of Law and Criminology) may opt in to a 1 year placement (9-12 months). Below is the full list of degrees with compulsory work placements and the School of Business /School of Law and Criminology, degrees with optional work placements:
- Chemistry Department
- Computer Science Department
- Design Innovation Department
- Economics Department
- Electronic Engineering Department
- School of Business
- School of Law & Criminology (general placements)
Placements in the following subjects are managed by the individual academic departments: Biology, Education (Early Childhood, Primary, Post Primary), Legal Placements – School of Law & Criminology, Psychology, Youth & Community Work, Social Work.
Can I organise my own work placement?
Yes, however it must be deemed academically relevant by the Placement Team on behalf of your academic department. Should you secure your own placement, please ask your employer to complete the Placement Proposal Form available through Placement Connect and the Placement Team. Please return the completed Placement Proposal Form to the Placement Team. Email [email protected] with the subject line "StudentName_Placement Proposal Form_CompanyName". The offer will be reviewed to ensure that it is academically relevant and meets the criteria of the placement program.
Do I have to accept the first job offer I receive?
Yes, you must accept the first job offer you receive if you wish to stay on the Placement Programme.
What should I do if I have an issue at work?
While on work placement some students might experience difficulties within the workplace. If an issue arises, firstly you should speak to your direct supervisor/manager to explain the difficulties you are experiencing. If you need to speak to someone outside of the company you can reach out to a member of the Placement Team on [email protected]
You must not leave your work placement without consulting the Placement Team first. To do so could result in failing the Placement Programme and repeating the year.
Will I earn a salary while on placement?
There is no set pay for work placements. A minimum salary is the minimum standard expected, but there is some variation in what is paid by individual employers. We encourage you to apply for paid work placements/internships only.
What supports are there for Mature students?
You can find information specifically for mature students in the Placement programme under the Mature Students tab.
What do I do if I don't get a work placement?
If taking part in the Placement Programme a student must make an honest effort to apply for roles. If unsuccessful you need to speak to your course director to make other arrangements. You will be asked to provide evidence of job seeking endeavours.
My course does not have a built in Placement module, can I still take part in the programme?
The short answer is no.
The Placement Team only places students that must do a work placement as an accredited part of their degree. The only exception to this is 2nd year School of Business or School of Law and Criminology students. These students may change a 3 year degree into a 4 year degree by opting into a 9-12 month work placement. School of Business or School of Law and Criminology students must register interest in 2nd year of their degree, and they will begin the work placement the summer after 2nd year has ended. More information on this is provided during your year of study by your course academics.
If you do not qualify for the programme but are interested in other job and internship opportunities, our Find Jobs section may be of interest to you. However, these internships will not be credit-bearing.
What will I be doing on placement?
Every student has a different experience while out on placement. The length and industry all differs depending on your degree of study. Past student testimonials:
Computer Science Students
- “This great student work placement experiences challenged me yet gave me the opportunity to expose my accumulated college knowledge and taught me a complete set of new skills in the industry.”- 3rd year BSc Computer Science & Software Engineering student.
- “During my work placement I worked on creating a system that would be used by the (confidential). This involved creating webpages, working with databases, and making sure that the people I was creating the system for were happy with it. I also had to write some documentation detailing and explaining my system. It helped improve my java and database skills; it also helped my understanding of some technologies used by most companies such as Git. I also improve on my documentation skills as I had to chance to write up my own documentation.” - 3rd year BSc Computer Science & Software Engineering student.
- “I had an incredibly enriching experience during my work placement, and I can confidently say it was a pivotal point in my academic and professional journey. The placement program provided the perfect blend of technical challenges, mentorship, and training, enabling me to apply my computer science knowledge in real-world scenarios. The supportive and collaborative environment fostered growth not only in my technical skills but also in my communication and teamwork abilities. The exposure to cutting-edge technologies, such as Spring Boot and various frameworks, significantly broadened my skill set and gave me a competitive edge in the industry. I would highly recommend this placement program to other students seeking valuable hands-on experience and an opportunity to excel in the field of computer science.” -3rd Year BSc Computer Science & Software Engineering student.
- “(Confidential) internship programme was better than I would have hoped. They have very well-tailored intern’s programme. I’m coming back to finish my degree with completely new confidence”- 3rd year BSc Multimedia Mobile & Web Development.
- “My placement during my Computer Science degree in Maynooth provided me with valuable experience in the industry as a Software Developer, and left me with much better technical and soft skills than I had at the beginning of the placement. Placement is a valuable part of the degree experience and allows you to put into practise some of what you learn at university.” - 3rd Year B.Sc. Computer Science & Software Engineering student.
- “Take initiative and cherish every moment that can prove yourself.” - 2nd Year Master of Science student.
Engineering Student
- “I was able to use my skills learnt during my course in a real world setting, build upon them, and learn new things directly related to my final year of studies.” – 3rd year B.Sc. Robotics & Intelligent Device student.
Pharma Students
- "Having the opportunity to work with people at the top of their fields was truly an amazing experience and one that I will cherish for many years to come. The contacts and relationships that I have build up during my placement has given me the confidence to move on and achieve my full potential."- 4th year BSc Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry student.
- "Overall, I found my time at (confidential) truly rewarding. I have gained such valuable experience and learned so much that I can hopefully carry with me after I graduate and begin looking for employment within the industry. I now know that I enjoy working in the field, I have discovered my strengths and hope to work and improve on any weaknesses that may arise. (confidential) manufacture such life-changing technology and the way in which they do it and the way they are continuously improving is admirable and I can only hope that I have the opportunity to work in a place that manages to compare to the high standards that they have set out for me." – 4th year BSc Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry student.
- “I really enjoyed my 6 month placement. After learning theory for 3 years it was great to see the chemistry in action in the pharmaceutical industry. I gain a huge insight into all the different roles available to me once I graduate and got invaluable experience working in the industry.”- 4th year BSc Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry student.
Design Innovation
- “I find that not only benefitting from learning an entire new job role with a large company, but I was able to learn about everyone’s role in the company and what they brought to the team. I gained a great understanding of the construction industry. The most beneficial aspect of it all I think was being able to work independently and create my own schedules and tasks that needed to be completed.” – 3rd Year B.Sc. Product Desing (Marketing & Innovation) student.
- “I found the work placement opportunity to be highly beneficial as it allowed me to practice and learn new skills which I can bring forward into my final year of studies, and into industry after graduation.” – 3rd Year B.Sc. Product Desing (Marketing & Innovation) student.
School of Business & School of Law & Criminology Students
- "Partaking in the placement program was an excellent experience. It gave me a clear direction as to what aspect of finance I could see myself working towards in the future." - 3rd year Business student.
- "The level of professional and personal development I have gained since joining the (confidential) Operations team is phenomenal. Boosting my confidence, teamwork, time management and communication skills are amongst the plethora of reasons why my internship has been so valuable, both professionally and personally." - 3rd year Business student.
- “My journey at (Confidential) as a Product Manager within the Commercial Platform was characterized by an unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and strategic prowess. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I had to contribute to the organization's growth and success, and I eagerly anticipate applying the valuable insights and skills gained in my future endeavours.” - 3rd Year Quantitative Finance student.
- “Many benefits, expanding my network, communication and professional writing and language, I gain a lot of knowledge about the tax world I actually liked it.” - 3rd Year Law and Business student.
- “I chose to do placement as I wanted to gain professional experience. I wanted to clarify if this is the career path I want to pursue. I did my placement in an accountancy firm and I got an insight into a year in the life of being an accountant. I gained new knowledge and a better understanding of the basics of being an accountant. I improved my excel skills and enhanced my communication, time management and analytical skills. I was constantly learning and strengthening my skill set. I enjoyed the work environment and the opportunity to work with some great inspiring role models. I have a clearer image of a career in accounting and in what I want to do in the future. I’m looking forward to training as an accountant after my masters.” - 3rd Year Business student.
- “Work placement was an amazing opportunity for me which I believe every student should take as it enhances one’s employability and allows for personal growth and development.” - 3rd Year Business student.
- “I believe my experience has helped me develop my interpersonal skills such as teamwork, flexibility and responsibility, my occupational skills such as time management and communication skills. I found the aspects of my career that provide me with adequate job satisfaction and motivation these are monetary, appraisal and my career anchor work-life balance. I have experienced aspects of an organisation I didn’t before such as corporate events, an acquisition and professionally run staff meetings. I opened myself up for opportunities in my future career weather that be within this organisation after my degree or outside the organisation with the experience I gained that will help me stand out as an prospective employee. - 3rd Year Business student.
