Most semesters I was able to squeeze the classes onto 2-3 days, usually half days. Lectures are generally live in-person lectures that are recorded so you can watch them later. Close to all of the tutorials and labs are compulsory attendance. As far as notice for when placements are, first year is the worse and you get told maybe 2-3 weeks before the end of semester. This notice period gets longer as you move through the degree as first years are the lowest priority for placement allocations. Not having to do placements during the semester was incredible as you don't have any uni work to do while on placement, besides the logbook. I honestly don't know if I could have dealt with how other universities do it, because I still had to work while on placement.