BBS & BComm

BBS & BComm – 21 Months of Paid Industry Experience

Practical experience is at the heart of the BBS and BComm degrees, with 21 months of paid industry experience built into the programme through two structured placements.

Year 2 Placement – Professional Operative Experience

The Year 2 placement is a 12-month paid professional operative placement, normally running from July to June. It allows students to put the practical training and language skills developed in Year 1 into practice in a professional environment.

Students gain experience in at least two departments within their placement property, rotating through different areas of hotel operations and developing their knowledge of industry practice, systems and professional standards.

In 2026, students were placed in 30 properties across 20 destinations, including Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain, Tenerife, Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Germany.

Placement locations are influenced by students’ language option and visa requirements. Irish and EU students may be placed across Ireland, the UK and Europe, while international students are generally placed in partner hotels in Ireland.

The Shannon College Placement Office organises placements on behalf of students. Hotels may interview students as part of the selection process, with language skills, Year 1 performance and visa requirements considered when finalising placements.

Will I be paid?

Yes. The Year 2 placement is paid, although wages vary depending on the country and employer.

Can I choose my hotel?

Placements are organised by the Shannon College Placement Office and matched according to a range of factors including language, visa requirements, Year 1 performance and employer requirements.

Is accommodation provided?

Accommodation arrangements vary by destination. For placements in continental Europe, the College has worked to secure staff accommodation where possible. Depending on the property, accommodation may be subsidised or deducted from placement earnings.

Final year placement - Global Opportunities

Your final placement is your opportunity to take your first step into management and choose where your career could take you.

During Year 4, leading hotel companies from around the world visit Shannon College to meet students and showcase their management development and employment opportunities. Students receive a list of available placement locations and companies hiring that year, giving them the opportunity to research the options, decide where they would like to apply and take part in the recruitment and interview process.

In 2026, Shannon College students headed to 35 properties across 18 destinations, including Ireland, the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Asia.

The final placement is a paid trainee management or direct hire opportunity, normally lasting at least nine months, with many contracts extending to 12–18 months. It is a chance to put your business and leadership skills into practice, gain international management experience and begin building your career on a global stage.

Where could I go?

The opportunities change each year, depending on the companies and properties recruiting. Previous destinations have spanned Europe, North America, Canada, Asia-Pacific, UAE, Australia, The Seychelles and beyond.

Can I choose where I go?

Students review the opportunities available, decide which properties and roles interest them, apply and interview for their preferred positions. While students have the option to interview for preferred properties, locations and jobs are not guaranteed.

Will I be paid?

Yes. The final-year placement is a paid trainee management or direct hire opportunity. Salary levels vary depending on the destination, employer, role and experience.

How long is the placement?

The placement is for a minimum of nine months, although contracts are commonly 12–18 months.

What will I do on placement? 

The mandatory final year placement is the culmination of four years of study, training and development. Students are ready for supervisory roles and to grow into managerial roles. Some hotels recruit students as direct hires for one specific role in a property, while other hotels offer structured management development programmes designed to elevate students to roles of responsibility. Some programmes are specialised in a particular hotel department (e.g. Front Office or Food and Beverage) while other programmes are more general.