Generally speaking, student placements be taken at any point whilst engaged in further/higher education (typically 15+). There are many different options to consider:
Opportunities:
Natural Resources Wales
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) offer student placements aimed at undergraduates (e.g., sandwich-year or industry placements) and graduates. Opportunities, including a 2026-27 graduate scheme, are still under development
NRW also promote volunteering schemes such as Gower Volunteer and involvement in projects like the Balsam Eradication Project with West Wales Rivers Trust. These opportunities can provide valuable hands-on work experience.
Tip: You can set up job alerts to be notified of any relevant opportunities. You can also create a profile on NRW’s talent community so that you are ready to apply.
You can also find out more about careers in Natural Resources Wales on the EPW website.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
The JNCC, which advises the UK Government on nature conservation, allows interested students to inquire about placement opportunities. Interested undergraduates can email jnccplacements@jncc.gov.uk, submit a CV, and request a placement form.
Placements wont be advertised, so students will need to reach out directly for up-to-date information.
Museum Wales
Museum Wales offers summer student placements, which are advertised on their website. You can sign up to the mailing list or follow Museum Wales on social media to be the first to find out about upcoming opportunities.
If you are under 25, Amgueddfa Cymru Producers are a group of young people who collaborate with the Museum through participatory and paid opportunities.
Tip: Museum Wales also offer a range of Individual Volunteering opportunities and Group Volunteering opportunities. What better way to showcase your employability than arrange group work experience?
Find out about a sustainability project that was run in partnership with Museum Wales in our Insights Wales library.
UK CEH studentships
UKCEH recommend applying to advertised opportunities where suitable if you are interested in gaining environmental science experience at UKCEH. You may also find it useful to review the UKCEH job platform to see if field roles, laboratory, temporary or other roles of interest are available.
RSPB
The RSPB offer student placements lasting from a few weeks up to 12 months—these may focus on conservation, communications, etc. Students undergo training and are fully supported, with expenses reimbursed volunteer.rspb.org.uk.
Tip: Have you seen the ‘Residential on Reserve (4 weeks+) opportunity, for example? Don’t worry if you are not local, as this opportunity include accommodation!
Welsh Water
Explore Welsh Water’s site for early career opportunities in the water and environmental sectors. Applications are OPEN NOW for a range of hands-on work experience opportunities for students and aspiring professionals. Join the Welsh Water Talent Community so that you’re ready to apply to upcoming opportunities.
Tip: Check the website regularly to find out about upcoming opportunities like the Graduate Scheme
You can find out more about Careers in the Water and Wastewater Industry on the EPW website.
UK Research and Innovation (NERC)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), offers Research Experience Placements (REPs) specifically aimed at undergraduate and integrated Master’s students. Check the website regularly for the latest updates on 2026 summer placements.
Students must still be enrolled and eligible for further NERC PhD funding to apply UK Research and Innovation.
The National Trust
The National Trust recommend contacting individual National Trust places directly to find out about any available traineeships, work experience or volunteering opportunities.
They also offer apprenticeships which are open to anyone. Roles tend to run from September onwards and can include work as a nature and wildlife ranger, in IT, horticulture or project management.
The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts have previously offered conservation internships. There are also many Volunteering opportunities across the Trusts.
Find out more about Wales-specific opportunities
Search for internships and entry level jobs here.
Conservation Careers
Find out more about Conservation Internship and Volunteering opportunities including Top Conservation Internships
It might also be worth looking at:
Green Jobs for Nature advise students on where to find short-term placements or volunteering.
Become a Carbon Literacy Project Facilitator – Meet some of our student trainers – MMU
Ambassador Wales – Wales Ambassador Scheme
Environmental Internship Jobs, Work | Indeed United Kingdom
Environmental volunteering | Environmentjob.co.uk
| Provider | Level | Duration / Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWCT Wales | Undergraduate | Up to 1 year (2025/26 cycle) | Annual sandwich placements—watch for 2026/27 announcement |
| CENTA (NERC REP) | Undergraduate | 6–10 weeks (summer 2026 expected) | Paid summer research placements via participating universities |
| SEEDS (NERC TREES) | Undergraduate | ~2 months (summer 2026 expected) | Equity-focused internships, paid at least living wage |
| Severn Estuary Partnership (SEP) | Undergraduate | Summer/internship (2026 expected) | Cardiff-link placements—watch their site for updates |
| Natural Resources Wales | Undergraduate/MSc | From Sept 2025 (into 2026) | Waste regulation placements—check for similar 2026 opportunities |
| Turing Scheme (international) | Undergraduate/Masters | 14 days to 12 months (2025–26) | Funding for international placements during academic year |
| Cumbria Wildlife Trust | Undergraduate | June 2025–Mar 2026 (~10 months) | Nature reserves placement—some UK-wide relevance |
Not all work placements will be advertised (or even exist yet!) Here is a good article on how to approach employers for work experience from Prospects.ac.uk:
How to ask employers for work experience
This is an excellent video on getting work experience with no prior experience
Your university may advertise and help you to access placements or work experience. It is worth booking an appointment with a careers advisor to find out more.
Some courses will offer placements in industry as a module (for example Aberystwyth University offers a Applied Geospatial Skills in Industry module) or a sandwich year.