Pharmaceutical · Industrial Placement

GSK Industrial Placement

Quick answer

GSK's 12-month industrial placements span science (R&D, manufacturing) and business (finance, supply chain, commercial) roles. Selection uses an application, online assessments and interviews or an assessment day. Placements offer real project ownership in a regulated, patient-focused environment.

About the GSK Industrial Placement

GSK places students into genuine delivery roles with mentoring, using the year to develop future graduate talent for science and business functions.

Eligibility & entry requirements

Undergraduates with a placement yearRelevant degree for science rolesRight to work in the UKInterest in healthcare impact

The application & selection process

GSK selection process1Online application2Online assessments3Interview / assessment day4Placement
GSK selection process
StageWhat to expect
Online applicationApplication and function choice.
Online assessmentsCognitive and behavioural assessments.
Interview / assessment dayCompetency interview, sometimes with an exercise.
Placement12 months with a defined project.

Likely GSK interview questions

  1. 1Why GSK, and why this function?
  2. 2Tell me about a project you delivered.
  3. 3How do you ensure quality and accuracy?
  4. 4Describe teamwork in a lab or project setting.
  5. 5What does patient focus mean to you?

How to get the placement

  • Connect motivation to patient impact.
  • Emphasise quality and rigour.
  • Prepare a project walkthrough.
  • Show teamwork evidence.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • No healthcare motivation.
  • Ignoring quality/compliance.
  • Vague project examples.
  • Generic answers.

Application deadlines

Applications open in autumn and close by winter for summer starts.

Pay & benefits

GSK placements typically pay around £21k–£24k pro-rata.

Frequently asked questions

What roles do GSK placements cover?

Both science (R&D, manufacturing, quality) and business (finance, supply chain, commercial) — each with real project ownership.

Preparing for the GSK Industrial Placement?

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