Student placements abroad: Crime and Investigative Studies

Time flies so fast... I know it might sound like a cliché but it’s true. I started my university journey two years ago, yet I remember it as if it were yesterday.

I guess that when you truly like something, you don’t realize how quickly time flies. I sat down a few days ago to reflect on my university experience and I thought it’d be a great idea to talk about what’s going on in my third year – my placement year!

So, as some of you may know, the Crime & Investigative Studies degree offers applicants a three or four year experience. The only difference between them is that if you choose to study with a placement year in industry, you will have to spend four years at ARU, as opposed to three, with one being your placement year.

I know that some want to graduate faster, but if you choose a placement year, this can really enhance your CV. You will also make connections and, most importantly, gather relevant experience in the field which is going to help you stand out if you decide to pursue a career in the field after graduation.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I had to move back to Bulgaria and this prevented me from finding a placement year in Britain. But thanks to ARU, I was able to secure a placement here in Bulgaria and that’s what I love about this university. It’s flexible and understanding. Even before the pandemic students were allowed to secure a placement in a different country, as long as that placement related to their field of study. So, thank you ARU for that!

With that being said, I will talk a little bit about my placement. I am currently involved in the financial department of a company. I am responsible for assisting with overlooking finance, ensuring all resources are allocated accordingly and also investigating possible financial misuse within the company. Unfortunately, that’s all I can say, but the experience is very rewarding and I am sure this is going to be of tremendous help for me in the future.

I know that a lot of my friends have secured a placement in the UK and they are all very happy with their positions. ARU is also very helpful by ensuring there is communication between us and our supervisors, but above all else, they work really hard to make sure we are enjoying our experience during the placement year.

Nick is studying Crime and Investigative Studies at ARU in Cambridge. To find out more about our degree courses and student life at ARU, book your place at an Open Day.