Enterprise Placement Year

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.

You’ll meet monthly with your EPY mentor to review progress, set goals and get tailored advice to keep your business moving forward.

Connect with the EPY community online to ask questions, share wins and troubleshoot challenges in a supportive space.

Access to a dedicated Blackboard Learn area,  the free Startium app, a weekly newsletter and resources from the Federation of Small Businesses will be your go-to hubs for guidance, events and learning materials throughout the year. The Startium app provides Ulster University student entrepreneurs with a personalised dashboard that connects them directly to relevant funding opportunities, startup competitions, external events and tailored business support.

• Download the Startium app

You’ll shape your own CPD journey to align with your business goals and future career plans, contributing to your Diploma in Professional Practice.

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. Have a read through the EPY 5 year report!

Enterprise Placement Year is not a part-time project. You’ll need to dedicate a minimum of 21 hours to building and running your enterprise (also included in these hours are the mandatory Enterprise Placement Year training and development activities). 
Please note that these hours are flexible depending on the business type as some may need to trade at weekends or evenings - however, mandatory Enterprise Placement Year programme activities such as workshops, mentoring etc. must be attended as requested.

Attend all mandatory activities including onboarding workshops, monthly mentoring sessions, twice-monthly expert-led workshops and weekly virtual drop-ins.

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.

Document your journey, including business development milestones, professional learning and reflections. This will support your final pitch and showcase your progress.

At the end of the year, you’ll present your business and reflect on your Enterprise Placement Year experience.

You may take on a part-time job (up to 16 hours per week), but it must not interfere with Enterprise Placement Year commitments - especially on Tuesdays, which are core programme days.

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.

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.

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.

Before applying, please 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.

Early round applications open on 26 October and close on 4 December 2026.

TIPS on completing your application:

1. 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 website, 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

2. Have a fully researched business idea which you want to start up and develop which will be trading well before the end of EPY - or an exisiting trading business which you would like to further grow and develop. Please note that this is not a  'research' year.
3. 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.

Students are free to take up their Enterprise Placement Year as soon as examination period ends in May 2027.  There will be a compulsory Enterprise Placement Year on-boarding during June (approximately 8th - 10th June 2027) and EPY ends in May 2028.

Enterprise Placement Year 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 - please note that these are not guaranteed.  All applicants will have a business mentor to support applications to opportunities for funding.

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 Enterprise Placement Year programme.
To help you plan, we strongly suggest that you do not work on Tuesdays, as this is the core day for Enterprise Placement Year activity.
We would also recommend that you allocate a minimum of 21 hours per week to work on your business and Enterprise Placement Year activities.

Yes, we accept business partnerships but only comprising 3 students/partners.  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 Enterprise Placement Year team prior to application.

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 Enterprise Placement Year may not be appropriate for you.  
We recommend you consult the Compliance Manager at Student Administration based at Coleraine campus for further information.