Michael Underwood completed a placement year with edwardthompson to gain real-world work experience outside of university. The placement allowed him to work with different departments and adapt to various working styles. He recommends placements to others as a way to develop skills and stand out from other students competing for jobs after graduation. His placement was close to his campus and provided opportunities to consult regularly with senior staff at the mid-sized company. As a result of his strong performance, Michael was offered a part-time extension during his final year of study and sponsorship for a dissertation project.