Students spend a year (a minimum of 24 weeks full-time, or the equivalent part-time) working in a work place setting, applying and enhancing the skills and techniques they have developed and studied in the earlier stages of their degree programme. The work place may be directly related to a student's degree, but this is not a requirement of the module. The work students do is entirely under the direction of their work place supervisor, but support is provided via a dedicated Placement Coordinator within the student's home School The University will provide the work place supervisor with clear written guidance outlining the intended learning outcomes and measures the employer must take to support the student in achieving these. This guidance is included in a three way agreement entered into by the University of Kent, the workplace provider and the student. This agreement must be signed by all relevant parties before the placement commences.
Note that participation in this module is dependent on students obtaining an appropriate placement (or a number of appropriate shorter placements that have a combined duration equivalent to 24 weeks full-time employment), for which guidance is provided through the School and Faculty in the year leading up to the placement. The Careers and Employability Service will also provide students with advice and guidance on applying and preparing for work placements.
Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
Students' learning is expected to be directed by their work place supervisor, depending on the requirements of the role they take in the organisation. The Placement Coordinator will usually make at least one visit to the student during the year to ensure the work being required of the student is appropriate and the requirements of the assessment process are being carried out.
Total number of study hours: 1200
Students undertaking the module will be assessed 100% by coursework.
The module will be assessed on a pass/fail basis only.
i. Monthly blogs – 20% A 500 word written blog must be submitted every month during a student's time on placement. This should reflect on what they have been doing during this time, any observations about working life, and details of training courses, visits and other key development events. Additional supporting material may be submitted alongside the written blog to evidence the work students have been doing in the workplace. A minimum of six blogs must be submitted to pass this component.
ii. Performance Evaluations - 20%
to be filled in by the workplace supervisor and student at the following mile stones: 2 weeks into the placement; half way through the placement and at the end of theplacement - if a student is undertaking multiple separate placements during this module they should instead submit an evaluation 2 weeks into each placement and at the end of each placement. The evaluations can either be completed on a University provided template or a template used by the placement provider.
iii. Personal Development Reflective Report - 4000 words – 60%
The relevant Board of Examiners may offer students the chance to retrieve the credit for this module, should they fail any of the elements through the normal referral/deferral procedures. A referral/deferral would normally consist of the 4000 word Personal Development Reflective Report and a Portfolio of Material documenting the Placement (the mark for the Personal Development Reflective Report may be carried forward).
• Durrant et al. (eds) (2011) Getting started with university-level work-based learning Libri
• Fanthome, C. (2004) Work placements: A Survival Guide for Students Palgrave
• Helyer (2015) The Work-Based Learning Student Handbook Palgrave
• Rook, S. (2015) Work Experience, Placements and Internships Palgrave Career Skills
• Rook, S. (2013) The Graduate Career Guidebook: Advice for Students and Graduates on Careers Options, Jobs, Volunteering, Applications, Interviews and Self-employment Palgrave Study Skills
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Display a systematic understanding of a range of key theoretical and practical issues currently faced by employers in the UK or abroad;
2. Demonstrate an insight into the functioning of the relevant industry, including an understanding of the professional opportunities available to them within the industry, and the challenges posed by working in this industry and how this could also impact in their area of study;
3. Apply their specific skills-set productively within the workings of a professional context and demands;
4. Contextualise and systematically record, and critically evaluate work place practices and processes.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to identify opportunities for professional development;
2. Work effectively both as part of a team and under their own initiative and understand group dynamics and handle interpersonal issues;
3. Manage workloads and priorities to meet deadlines, and sustain focus for extended periods working on independent projects, developing autonomy and self-management; and honing their organisational and time management skills.
4. Use IT for a wide range of purposes, which could include research, communication, compiling of reports, information management, promotion and design;
5. Communicate effectively, to a professional standard, coherent arguments and propositions in a variety of media, verbally and in writing, using appropriate communication and presentation technologies ;
6. Display a substantial degree of critical and self-reflexive awareness;
7. Reflect on their own learning and development, identifying strengths and strategies for development, developing autonomy in learning and continuous professional development.
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