Applications open soon
EPY is suitable for Undergraduate students who are eligible for a year long placement and wish to start up or grow a business as a sole trader, partnership/ limited company, social enterprise, or establish their freelance enterprise in preparation for their self-employed career.
Applications for 26/27 open on 3 November 2025
If you would like to discuss your idea or have questions about Enterprise Placement Year consult us at graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk
Information Sessions
In class sessions - please check with your placement tutor.
Book an appointment: graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk
Applying for EPY 26/27: Virtual information sessions
19 November 25 at 12:30pm - Register now
Support
Students as Entrepreneurs
Check out this new programme to help you prepare for Enterprise Placement Year! Visit Students as Entrepreneurs and register for either or both of the following:
- The Ideas Lab: Creating ideas that matter!
- The Start-up Lab: From bright idea to brilliant business!
Pre-placement Induction
Successful applicants to EPY will be invited to attend a 3 day in-person series of onboarding workshops in June.
UU Enterprise Hub
More support and enterprise opportunities available here: Visit the Enterprise Hub Support
Insights from EPY
Current and previous participants share their entrepreneurial journey and how EPY supported them in the developement of their business
What you’ll gain from Enterprise Placement Year
EPY has helped students turn ideas into successful ventures that generate income, create jobs, and contribute to the local economy. Whether working from home or a co-working space, you’ll receive tailored support from Ulster University’s enterprise team, local business partners, and a dedicated EPY mentor to help you develop and grow your business.
Here’s what you can expect:
Expert-Led Workshops
Twice a month, you’ll join sessions on key business topics like market research, branding, finance, sales, and marketing—delivered by professionals who’ve been there and done it.
Dedicated Mentoring
You’ll meet monthly with your EPY mentor to review progress, set goals, and get tailored advice to keep your business moving forward.
Weekly Virtual Drop-Ins
Connect with the EPY community online to ask questions, share wins, and troubleshoot challenges in a supportive space.
Digital Tools & Resources
MS Teams and your EPY Notebook will be your go-to hubs for guidance, events, and learning materials throughout the year.
Self-Directed Professional Development
You’ll shape your own CPD journey to align with your business goals and future career plans, contributing to your Diploma in Professional Practice.
Ad-Hoc Support
Need help outside scheduled sessions? You’ll have access to 1:1 appointments with the Enterprise Team whenever you need them.
Real-World Impact
EPY alumni have gone on to create thriving businesses, generate income, and even employ others—proving what’s possible with the right support and mindset.
Featured EPY Alumni
Aura Digital Studios Eva Robinson and Josh McAvoy (BA (Hons) Animation 1st Class) graduated June 2022.
Eva and Josh were one of our EPY student founders back in 2020-21 in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to their placements being cancelled, these students were determined to gain placement experience through setting up their own business, and so took the initiative of approaching UU to ask if this would be possible and what support would be available. EPY was born - as was Aura!
Their transition from Animation students doing some paid freelance projects to a highly respected and industry leading Creative Technology company started with using the advice, support and network connections provided on EPY, not to mention their own extremely hard work, passion and drive!
They were quickly joined by classmate Sinead Burns, who is now a full partner at Aura and 1 year on from graduation they now lease their own offices in Belfast AND employ 8 staff full time as well as freelancers during busy periods. They represented Northern Ireland as the leader in Virtual Production at the SXSW Conference in Texas earlier this year and are finalists in 2 major production awards in London and Europe.
Eva & Josh are stunning examples of what is possible from small beginnings on EPY at Ulster!
Your commitment during Enterprise Placement Year
As an EPY participant, you’ll be expected to fully immerse yourself in developing your business idea or growing your existing venture. This is a self-directed, entrepreneurial placement—so your success will depend on your drive, initiative, and professionalism.
Here’s what you’ll be expected to do:
Work Full-Time on Your Business
EPY is not a part-time project. You’ll need to dedicate full-time hours to building and running your enterprise.
Engage with the EPY Programme
Attend all mandatory activities including onboarding workshops, monthly mentoring sessions, twice-monthly expert-led workshops, and weekly virtual drop-ins.
Be Proactive and Professional
Seek advice when needed, respond to communications promptly, and manage your time effectively. This is not a “soft option”—it’s a real-world business experience.
Maintain a Digital Portfolio
Document your journey, including business development milestones, professional learning, and reflections. This will support your final pitch and showcase your progress.
Deliver a Final Business Pitch
At the end of the year, you’ll present your business and reflect on your EPY experience.
Limit Part-Time Work
You may take on a part-time job (up to 16 hours per week), but it must not interfere with EPY commitments—especially on Tuesdays, which are core programme days.
Collaborate Responsibly
You can apply as part of a business partnership (up to 3 students), but each person must submit an individual application outlining their role and goals.
Plan Financially
As EPY is self-employed, you’ll be responsible for your own income. You’ll receive guidance on applying for bursaries, scholarships, and funding opportunities.
Stay Committed
EPY is competitive and places are limited. Priority is given to students with a well-developed business idea or an existing venture ready to grow.
FAQs
What do I need for a successful EPY?
Self-motivation, enthusiasm, commercial awareness and a drive to start a business or commence self-employment/freelancing opportunities. You are expected to commit to working full time on your business.
What would I miss from a regular work-based placement?
Employment experience, an employer’s reference and perhaps, a reliable income
What is the application process for EPY?
If you are happy that the option could suit your plans please firstly obtain approval from your placement tutor/course director, then submit an application which takes the form of a short business proposal. This will be considered by a panel, and if successful you will be invited to an interview to further discuss your plans for your Enterprise Placement Year.
TIPS on completing your application:
Ensure you have a good understanding of how EPY works, and the objectives and outputs for the year. You can find answers to these via our FAQs, through an EPY information session in class/online or by booking an advice appointment with Jackie Smyth via Handshake or by contacting graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk
- Have a researched business idea which you want to start up and develop which will be trading well before the end of EPY - or an existing trading business which you would like to further grow and develop. Please note, this is not a 'research' year.
- If applying in a group, you must EACH submit an application - whilst the business idea and product/service description will be the same, answers such as Section 2 (e), (g), (i) must be about your role, plans for the year and development.
When does EPY start/finish?
Students are free to take up their EPY as soon as examination period ends in May 2026. There will be a compulsory EPY on-boarding during June (approximately 8th - 10th June 2026) and EPY ends in May 2027.
What about money?
EPY is a self-employed placement, therefore you are responsible for your own income. Please make sure you have researched the impact on your maintenance allowance and any other entitlements so you are in a position to plan ahead. You will be supported to apply for Bursaries, Scholarships, business competitions and funding. All applicants will have a business mentor to support applications to opportunities for funding.
What about a part-time job?
We understand that you need to cover your living expenses, therefore part-time work is allowed - however, any part-time job must not exceed 16 hours a week nor interfere with mandatory elements of the EPY programme. To help you plan, we strongly suggest that you do NOT work on Tuesdays, as this is the core day for EPY activity.
Am I sure to be allocated a place?
No.
There are invariably more applicants than we can properly support, so the number of students on EPY is limited. In addition, students who already have a business or are in the stages of being ready to launch their business will be given priority.
Can I work with another student?
Yes, we accept business partnerships but only comprising 3 students. Where more than 3 are required to successfully run the business, this may be considered by exception and must be approved by both your placement tutor and the EPY team prior to application.
Am I on my own with EPY?
The success, or otherwise, of your EPY will be very much down to your own efforts. The Enterprise Placement Team will support you with regular catch-ups, information, facilities, opportunities and advice from experienced Business Advisors. However, you will need to be efficient and business-like in all your actions for the duration of EPY; this is not, by any means, a ‘soft option’ for a placement!
Can International (outside the EU) students apply?
Whilst your visa will allow you to study in the UK, it may not include the permission necessary to be on placement or become self-employed so EPY may not be appropriate for you. We recommend you consult the Compliance Manager at Student Administration based at Coleraine Campus for further information.
