Learning chemistry through placements: building on good practice and identifying new opportunities

This article presents and discusses the results of a project that focussed on identifying new work-based learning opportunities for chemistry students. Firstly we investigated whether typical chemistry employers who traditionally host sandwich or year-long placements are able to offer short-term (e.g. summer) placements as an alternative work-based learning experience. Secondly we determined to what extent non-traditional employers of chemistry graduates are also able to offer relevant and appropriate placement opportunities for chemistry students.