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Industrial Placements in the UK

Ready to Explore? Ready to Grow?
Unilever’s Industrial Placement Programme is Calling You!

Get a head start on your career with a 12 month work experience in one of our placement functions. You’ll be part of a team coming together to better our business and the world around you. For high performers on our Industrial Placement Programmes, we may offer a number of fast-track opportunities to the final stage of the selection process for the Unilever Future Leaders Programme (UFLP). If you are ready to grow and challenge yourself, take a leap with your career at one of the world's biggest FMCG companies.

Applications are now closed for our 2026 intake but watch this space and follow @unilevercareersuk on Instagram for more information

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Unilever Future Careers Brochure

Discover our Future Careers opportunities by exploring our dedicated careers brochure. Here you’ll find detailed information about our Business Groups, our commitment to Inclusion and answers to frequently asked questions. Each section has been designed to give you a clear and engaging overview of the programmes we offer, how to apply, and the benefits you can enjoy as part of Unilever. 



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Start your journey as an Industrial Placement student with us!

We offer a wide variety of opportunities based upon your career aspirations. Choose the right career path within our business functions 

*As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered* 

We accept all degree level and discipline qualifications, except for schemes in Research and Development (R&D). For R&D, we require a strong technical qualification in a Chemical, Biological, Physical or Data Science or closely related disciplines. We also accept Material and Engineering-related disciplines.  

Our Sites

  • Kingston

    Sunlight House 22 Eden Street Kingston upon Thames KT1 2BA

  • 100VE

    100 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DY

  • Colworth

    Colworth Laboratory, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1LQ

  • Port Sunlight

    Wood St, Birkenhead, Wirral CH62 4UY

  • Leeds

    Unilever Leeds, Coal Rd, Leeds LS14 2AR100

Industrial placement application process

Please note: you will only progress to the next stage if you are successful in the previous stage. 

  • Step 1: Online Application & IP Simulation

    Complete an online application form before completing our interactive IP simulation, designed to give you insight into our organisation and the programme you’re applying for. This will prepare you for a series of situational judgement questions based on realistic business scenarios. 

    1

  • Step 2: Online Assessment

    Complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal Reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.  

    2

  • Step 3: Digital Interview 

    Complete a video interview.  

    3

  • Step 4: Virtual Discovery Centre

    Attend a half-day virtual discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will include immersive business challenges and interviews.  4

  • Step 5: In-Person Discovery Centre  

    Invited to attend an in-person half-day discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function-related business challenges. 5

    5

Industrial Placement Programme Benefits

    • A competitive Salary of £27,898.00  

    • Subsidised Gym Memberships - availability varies by site 

    • End of Placement Bonus   

    • Discounted Staff Shop  

    • 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.    

    • Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more! By joining a team, you can grow business-critical skills, develop Unilever Behaviours, and make a meaningful contribution to Future Careers. 

    • A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business.  

    • An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.   

    • Hybrid working (where possible): minimum 3 days per week in the office, depending on programme, role, and location. Some roles require full‑time on‑site attendance. 

    Apply now


    Applications are now closed for our 2026 intake but watch this space and follow @unilevercareersuk on Instagram for more information.  

    Please note: our IP programme starts each June, and we open for applications once a year (around Q4) and work on a rolling basis, which means that as soon as we reach the required number of applications, we will close the process for that role/business area. Therefore, we advise applying as early as possible once applications go live to avoid disappointment.   



    Meet Our Industrial Placement Students

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    The Legal IP programme has connected me with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and given me insight into various legal career paths. My key achievement has been managing the translation of the new Unilever Code of Business Principles."

    YilingLegal IP
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    The most rewarding part being a customer account executive is seeing plans that have taken months of work, collaboration and problem solving both internally and externally come to life in store."

    JoshuaCustomer Development IP
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    The IP scheme has accelerated both my personal and professional growth, giving me meaningful responsibility, continuous learning, and a supportive team culture that’s enabled me to build confidence and make a tangible business impact." 

    DaniyalFinance IP

    Recruitment Scams & Fraud Warning 

    We will never ask for the exchange of money or credit card details in the Recruitment process. 

    Please be aware of any suspicious email activity from people who could be pretending to be recruiters or senior individuals at Unilever. If in doubt, please forward the message to us via the email above and we will reach out. 

    How to contact us 

    If you have any questions about our opportunities, we currently have available or your application to us, please contact us at: UFLP.recruitmentUK@unilever.com  

    Stay Engaged

    Stay up to date by following @unilevercareersuk on Instagram for more about Future Careers at Unilever UKI. 

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