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Studies & Degrees in Training and Placement

Training and placement is the work of preparing people for jobs and connecting them with employers. Students meet it in two ways. First, as a service of their own university: the office that organises internships, work placements and recruitment by companies. Second, as a field of study and a profession: training and development and recruitment, which are both part of human resources.

The term is used above all in India, where universities and colleges run a training and placement cell. The Central Placement Cell of the University of Delhi, for example, aims to assist students in securing placements and internships. It offers career counselling and workshops, gives logistical support to companies during the placement process, and describes itself as a bridge between students and industry. Its 2026 placement and internship fair is called AVASAR.

How universities organise training and placement

The names differ by country, but the activities are similar.

  • Placement years (United Kingdom). Lancaster University offers industry and placement degrees in which students spend a year working in industry during their undergraduate degree. It also offers internships, which are typically shorter than placement years. The university reports that it is among the 30 universities most targeted by the UK's leading graduate employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2026.
  • Career centres and internships (United States). The Wasserman Center for Career Development at the New York University School of Professional Studies offers career coaching and counselling, with guidance on job search materials, interviewing and networking, and hosts recruiting fairs, panels and site visits. Students use an online portal with job and internship listings. The school reports that 51% of its graduate students and 80% of its undergraduates held an internship while enrolled.
  • Placement cells (India). Besides the placement drives, the Central Placement Cell of the University of Delhi conducts seminars and workshops that prepare students for professional life.

Qualifications and levels

Few universities offer a degree with the name training and placement. People who want to work in this field usually study human resources, organisational development, education or psychology, at bachelor's or master's level, or take shorter professional courses.

The Human Capital Management department of the New York University School of Professional Studies shows what such a programme contains. Its curriculum covers human resource management theory and practice and competencies such as performance management, leadership development, strategic workforce planning, people analytics and talent acquisition. It is offered as graduate programmes and as continuing education, online and in person.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 5 active schools for this subject: two in the United States and one each in Italy, India and the United Kingdom. They are the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, the Swiss School of Management in Rome, the University of Delhi and Lancaster University.

International students should check whether their visa allows a placement. In the United Kingdom, holders of a Student visa may be able to work; how much depends on what they study and whether the work is in or out of term-time. After a UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree, a Graduate visa lasts 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027; with a doctorate it lasts 3 years (GOV.UK, checked in October 2026). For other countries, ask the university's international office which rules apply to internships.

Careers

Graduates work as training and development specialists, recruiters, placement officers in universities and colleges, and career advisers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes figures for two of these occupations:

  • Training and development specialists plan and administer programmes that improve the skills and knowledge of employees. They held 472,500 jobs in the United States in 2025, with projected growth of 11% from 2025 to 2035. They typically need a bachelor's degree, often in a business field such as organisational development or human resources.
  • Human resources specialists recruit, screen and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They held 939,700 jobs in 2025, with projected growth of 6%. They typically need a bachelor's degree in human resources, business or a related field.

Frequently asked questions

What does a training and placement cell do?

It prepares students for recruitment and brings employers to the campus. The Central Placement Cell of the University of Delhi offers career counselling and workshops and supports companies during the placement process.

What is the difference between a placement year and an internship?

A placement year is a year of work in industry that forms part of an undergraduate degree. According to Lancaster University, internships are typically shorter.

Which degree leads to a career in training and placement?

Usually a degree in human resources, business, education or psychology. The BLS states that training and development specialists typically need a bachelor's degree.

Can international students do a work placement in the United Kingdom?

Students with a Student visa may be able to work, within limits that depend on the course and on term dates. Ask the university before accepting a placement.