Placement FAQs

If your placement questions are not answered below, do please email liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

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Placement Logistics

What is the duration of a placement?
  • DTP2 students (funding commenced after October 2024): Placements are expected to be three months (13 weeks). If your placement is shorter than 13 weeks (or you do not undertake one at all) your funding end date and thesis submission deadline will be adjusted accordingly.
  • DTP1 students (funding commenced before October 2024): Funded extensions for internships can be up to three months (13 weeks). 
  • Placements can be full time or part time and can be taken as a block or spread over a number of months on a part-time basis, e.g. one or two days a week.
  • You can also split the placement between two organisations, e.g. one placement of 7 weeks and one placement of 6 weeks.
Where can I do a placement?

Placements can be completed at a wide range of organisations, from public to private sectors, third sector organisations (charities, NGOs) and even academic institutions. We list various placement opportunities on our web pages and students can also arrange their own placements through personal or supervisory connections.

Can I do the placement part time even if I am a full time student?

Yes, placements can be full time or part time and can be taken as a block or spread over a number of months on a part-time basis, e.g. one or two days a week. The total duration should be equivalent to 3 months full-time.

When should a placement be completed?

Placements should not be held within the first few months of the PhD and should not take place during a masters period. Placements should commence during the funded period. Timing depends on many factors including your progress, the needs of the placement host, and approval by your supervisory team.

Can I go on a placement overseas?

Placements are expected to take place within the UK. While we would not preclude a student undertaking a placement overseas, there should be a clear rationale as to why the skills and development offered by the overseas host cannot be provided for in the UK.

What does host organisation mean?

This refers to the organisation where you do your placement. Other terms include placement provider or internship company.

Requirements and Restrictions

Is the placement mandatory?
  • DTP1 Students (funding commenced before October 2024): Internships are optional. If approved, stipend funding is extended for the duration of the internship (up to 3-months).
  • DTP2 Students (funding commenced after October 2024): A 3-month (13-week) placement is required during the PhD. This is included in the standard 3.5-year funding period. If not completed, funding is reduced to 3.25 years.
I am an international student, will going on a placement affect my visa?

No. The placement is part of your ESRC-funded PhD and as such, it is considered an ‘integral’ and ‘assessed’ component of the PhD. Once your placement has been approved by LISS DTP, you should contact your home institution’s visa compliance team to inform them of the placement details.

Can my Research in Practice placement be aligned with my PhD project?
  • Placements should focus on a discreet project, challenge or research question. It should have a clear programme of activity which will develop the students’ transferrable skills and ability to apply their research skills in different contexts.
  • The focus of the placement can be related to your PhD research if appropriate. However, you should not continue working on your PhD during the placement; the placement is a separate experience and should be treated as such.
  • The placement should be informed by the training and skills gaps identified in the Development Needs Analysis. Students should discuss placement plans with their supervisor.
How to I demonstrate the link to my Development Needs Analysis (DNA)?

  • The LISS DTP placement approval form prompts students to reflect on and outline how the placement will:

    • contribute to your professional and personal development (for example, how this will allow you to develop a wider network, gain experience in a different area outside of your PhD, etc);
    • develop your transferrable skills and allow you to apply your research skills in different contexts;
    • contribute to progressing with your career / next steps;
    • contribute to academic impact and non-academic impact (as relevant).

    This is required by the ESRC and should be a personalised, reflective process that guides your learning and career development.

Funding and Financial Support

How is the placement funded?
  • DTP1 Students (funding commenced before October 2024): Internships are optional. If approved, stipend funding is extended for the duration of the internship (up to 3-months).
  • DTP2 Students (funding commenced after October 2024): A 3-month (13-week) placement is required during the PhD. This is included in the standard 3.5-year funding period. If not completed, funding is reduced to 3.25 years.
Can I get a salary or payment from the organisation whilst I am on placement?
  • The ESRC does not allow paid placements. LISS DTP approved placements are funded through the studentship.
  • Please note that an externally funded placement does not count towards the ESRC core component placement and may impact your funding end date and required submission deadline.
  • If you are offered a full-time paid placement, secondment, or consultancy, you will most likely need to suspend your studentship for its duration. A suspension involves stopping your studentship payments for the duration of the placement, and also delays your submission deadline.
Can I apply for additional funding for placement expenses?

Students can also apply for additional funding support (up to £1000) to assist with other costs incurred during the placements. Details should be entered into the placement approval application form.