The 190 students, who are all studying for a degree with an integral year-long placement in the third year, took part in the interviews as part of the Preparation for Placement module.

The following week, employers returned to lead a mock assessment centre exercise, with activities including group tasks, presentations, numerical testing and case studies.

The students will start applying for their placement this summer, going through an intensive recruitment process. The Preparation for Placement module prepares them for this process by introducing them to the standards expected by employers.

Rory Daly, LUMS Placements and Internships Manager, said: “The students prepared well for the interviews and assessment centres and the feedback from the employers was extremely positive. This type of experience is of great benefit to our students and we are very grateful to all the employers that took part.”

The 2012 The Wilson Review highlighted the importance of students gaining work experience while studying. Since 2011, LUMS has doubled the number of students taking placement degrees and developed a structured academic and pastoral support package for students. This ensures that, as well as being equipped with excellent subject-specific knowledge, they also develop skills in critical and reflective thinking, self-awareness, career planning, problem solving and commercial awareness.