Work Placement for Students during Programme of Study

Cooperative Education

The Cooperative Education programme (or undergraduate placement) at the University of Limerick facilitates the employability development of UL students and is an integral component of both their academic programme and their student experience.

Over 2,000 undergraduate students are placed annually. These 6-8-month placements are a formal, integral, compulsory and academically accredited element of students’ degree programmes and account for 60 academic credits.

With students being placed from 56 degree programmes across business, science, information technology, engineering, arts, humanities, social sciences and the performing arts, Cooperative Education is the largest undergraduate placement programme nationally and one of the largest in Europe.

The Benefits of the Cooperative Education programme to Employers include a cost-effective staff resource for ongoing work, new projects or temporary needs and also an opportunity to establish and expand links with University of Limerick academics and research activities.  But most importantly, the programme is designed to provide employers with definitive access to top graduate talent. 

More information on the Cooperative Education

Teaching Practice

Teaching Practice is the integrated placement component of the undergraduate and postgraduate Teaching degrees viz.

  • Bachelor of Science (Education) in Biological Science or Physics or Chemistry
  • B.Sc. Physical Education
  • Bachelor of Technology (Education) Materials and Engineering Technology
  • Bachelor of Technology (Education) Materials and Construction Technology
  • Graduate Diploma in Education (Business)
  • Graduate Diploma in Education (Music)
  • Graduate Diploma in Education (Technology)
  • Graduate Diploma in Education (Languages)
  • Graduate Diploma in Education (Physical Education)

Students enrolled on the undergraduate teaching degrees complete two Teaching practice assignments whilst those enrolled on the Graduate Diplomas undertake one assignment. Teaching practice is formally graded on an incremental scale and an honours grade is a prerequisite for an overall honours degree. The academic assessment of students on teaching practice is, therefore, a critical activity and is at the core of the teaching practice process.

Clinical Placement

Clinical Placement is an integral part of the. It is organised by the Practice Education Co-ordinator and takes place throughout the two years of the programme. Students will be placed in different sites around Ireland and there may be opportunities for some placements to take place outside of Ireland. There is no financial support for placement: students will need to cover their travel and accommodation costs associated with placement. Placements frequently involve considerable travel.