Overview

The practical element of the module comprises a block placement (of 7 to 12 months) taken at the beginning or end of the level 6 year. Students will register for the programme in the spring of their second year and will be provided with guidance on locating and applying for a placement. They will attend a series of work experience workshops during the spring to prepare them for the job search, creating applications and CVs, and preparing for the workplace environment. The student may begin their work placement at a date to be agreed between the student and employer, but not until the end of teaching for their current semester. The student will spend 7 to 12 months at the place of work and under the supervision of their employer. The onus is always on the student to find their own placement. Where students cannot find their own placement and one cannot be found for them, they will switch back to a ‘normal’ degree course. The placement should be related to the student’s degree subject and this relationship must be made clear by the student in their pre-placement forms. The placement must be approved by the module organiser and the University before work begins. The module organiser will monitor progress during the placement, mainly by email or video conference. A risk assessment will be conducted for the identified work placement.

Learning Outcomes

• Ability to respond positively to changing circumstances and new challenges

• Ability to work without supervision and retain effectiveness while under pressure

• Confidence in dealing with the challenges in employment life

• Recognise and apply disciplinary understanding and subject knowledge to business and organisational issues and priorities in terms of both culture and economics

• Understanding and appreciation of how businesses and organisations work and ability to act accordingly