Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Placement

Who is eligible?
You must be a UK national and have resided in the UK for the previous five years. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you may be required to relinquish your non-British nationality if your application is successful. Some posts are not open to dual nationals. This is because of the sensitive nature of our work, and the need to deploy trainees flexibly across a range of MBDA work and projects. If your application to MBDA is successful, we'll need to check your eligibility, which means seeing your birth certificate and/or passport and educational certificates. Security vetting will also be undertaken.

What vacancies are available at which location?
Both our Bristol and Stevenage sites hire summer placements. Please choose your preferred location when asked to do so on the job selector, and remember to select 'either' if you don't have a preference. The more flexible you are in location, the easier it will be to find you a suitable role.

Where will I be working? Will I be required to move?
All of our Summer Placement trainees are based in either Bristol or Stevenage.

How is the training scheme structured?
For a 10-12 week Summer Placement you will spend all of your time within the same function, so as to gain an in depth understanding of one area of our business.

Will I be doing 'real work'?
Unlike some other placement schemes in other businesses where you would only be 'shadowing' a worker, you will be given real work. This will enable you to gain experience, but it also means that the company will gain some valid work from you in return.

What company benefits will be available?
Benefits include Sports and social activities and flexible working hours.
(Please see the Benefits section of the website for further details)

Will I have the opportunity to work overseas?
We are a European company with customers all over the world. Very occasionally our summer placement students may have the opportunity to spend a short time abroad, although this doesn't happen for everyone.

Can I make more than one application?
Yes. All applicants who use our online job selector tool will be informed of the business areas that are suitable for their degree subject. Applicants may then choose up to three areas to apply to in order of preference.

If I am rejected from one business area, will this affect my application to another area of the company?
No - business areas can look for different skill sets, so where one business area may reject a candidate, another may consider their experience and qualifications as suitable.

Will you help me to relocate when I join?
We offer information and guidance on local accommodation at most of our main sites, but no financial recompense.

What hours will I work?
Your contract will require you to work for 37 hours a week. The company operates a flexi time system, which allows you to vary your start and finish times.

What is the dress code?
Depends on where you work. This varies from casual to more standard class.

Will you pay my expenses if I come to an assessment centre?
Yes – we will reimburse any reasonable travelling expenses.

How much will I get paid?
The starting salary for summer 2009 will be approximately £14,500.This is dependent upon the year you are currently in at university.

How many holidays will I get?
The annual entitlement at MBDA is 25 days a year, and so Summer Placement students will be pro rata and receive approximately 6 days holiday.

What is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for applications is Friday 27th March 2009.

Can I visit the company before I apply?
At present, we have no plans to make this a standard part of our offering to candidates. We do, however, attend many university career events.

How many people are you recruiting this year?
In 2009 MBDA has approximately 20 summer placement vacancies to fill.

Will I be expected to work overtime?
As a Summer Placement student you will generally not be required to work over time. There may be occasions however, when a specific task or project requires you to work overtime.