Can my placement be something unrelated to my degree?

This depends on your course, but for the majority of students the answer is yes. The main purpose of the professional training year is to help you develop your professional skills and enhance your employability, and this can often be achieved across a range of different sectors, industries, employer types and job roles.   Employers are increasingly relaxed about the specific degree subject you are studying, and are more focused on the skills (teamwork, resilience, adaptability, problem solving etc). So, in most cases, you should keep an open mind about the type of placement that could work for you, and not limit your options in a competitive market.   A minority of students may be more restricted by specific course regulations, such as external accreditation linked to your degree. If such limitations exist, these will be set out in briefing sessions with your school's Director of Employability during Semester 1 of Year 2.