Dr Sean Cumming: Why placements make a difference

The placements are structured and focused, so there is no risk of the student being used as a skivvy, Cumming insists.

“Bath prides itself on its placements," he says. "Students do a series of assignments. We have a tutor for administration and a liaison officer too, to be the go-between with the student and the club.

"There are learning objectives and we meet the student halfway through the placement to evaluate their experience. They will also have a line manager at the institution they go to, to make sure there is regular assessment.

There is a placement conference in the third week of October, at which students returning from their own placements present. Then there will be applications to clubs and interviews (including that aforementioned presentation) before Christmas. The placement will begin at the start of the following academic year.

Some clubs do not pay their interns - which is obviously controversial when you consider the turnover of the Premier League clubs in particular and the amounts they pay their players - but Cumming says he encourages them to do so.

"More and more of the placements are paid," he says, "it could be expenses, and sometimes salary. We encourage them to pay, because it means the student will be less stressed out and better quality."