2026 Year in Industry Placements

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

We are seeking Year in Industry Placement students for our wide range of teams, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering, Environmental and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

Join us for a Year in Industry Placement at WSP and you'll find yourself working with our Specialists on projects they are involved with, in more fascinating and far-reaching ways than ever before. You'll explore new and inspiring opportunities, putting your degree course knowledge into practice in real life. As well as being able to obtain experience, that directly aligns to your area of study, which will help to broaden your professional horizons and create exciting new possibilities for people, organisations and future generations.

We are recruiting for Year in Industry Placements in a wide range of disciplines and locations; considered degrees for roles are listed on our Placements webpage.

The main sectors that we recruit into are mentioned but not exclusive to:

• Advisory, Geospatial Services – Birmingham, London, Manchester or Bristol
• Bridge Engineering – Manchester and London
• Infrastructure Planning – London
• Intelligent Infrastructure – Birmingham, Guildford, Liverpool, London or Manchester,
• Water, Asset Design – London & Newcastle
• Water, Asset Management - Belfast, Derby, Glasgow, London

Scholarships at WSP

On completion of your placement and following positive feedback from you and your team, you may be considered for a scholarship for the remainder of your studies. This would allow you to return for future placement and graduate opportunities with WSP, all whilst receiving a bursary payment from us during each year of your studies.

Our scholarship scheme helps us to find high potential talent for our Graduate programme, whilst also allowing students to obtain real industry experience throughout their studies .

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with professional bodies such as the ICE and IStructE making your development a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution's training agreement, guiding you towards chartered status.

To find out more, please visit: Early Careers brochure

Career Advancement

• Years 1–2: Gain practical experience with design tools, perform calculations, and support senior engineers on active projects. Focus on learning fundamentals, understanding construction, and applying academic knowledge through proficiency courses.
• Year 2: Begin managing small design packages, engage directly with project teams, and build confidence while maintaining a chartership development record.
• Year 3: Lead the structural design of small to medium projects, mentor junior staff, and take on greater coordination and decision-making responsibilities; refine expertise for chartership readiness.
• Year 4: Pursue chartership, manage larger projects, represent the company in client meetings, and contribute to innovation or business development, marking the transition into leadership or senior roles.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You'll be studying and working towards completing your degree with at least a 2:2 in a Master's degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for.

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career's recruitment process.
• You'll be looking to start your placement in June/July and be available up to the end of August
• Have a passion for Sustainable Engineering, Planning and / or consulting solutions
• An enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems
• You'll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have
• In your team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

"Don't quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our roles, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme"

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure - Early Careers brochure application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the

best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour," allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.