Introductory description

This option module enables students to put the theories, methods and knowledge developed in their degree to use in professional, non-academic settings. The module aims to enable students to develop real world employability skills and produce an applied portfolio that will underpin their career and professional development.

In this module students undertake a 4 to 6 weeks long placement working with a non-academic partner on a placement project that is relevant to their degree. The placement project topic is proposed by the non-academic partner in consultation with academic staff. The project topics will be carefully designed to enable students to develop outcomes by using the range of interdisciplinary methods that they have learnt while drawing from the empirical and theoretical frameworks introduced in their degree. Students are assigned to their project partners in-line with their interests, capabilities and suitability to the partner and the project. At the end of the placement, students will develop a portfolio that consolidates the outcome of their placement. If students choose to and if the circumstances allow, students can continue to work with the same placement provider on the same or a similar project as part of their Final Project to conduct a more substantial piece of work.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The following syllabus is indicative and can be adapted to suit the needs of the cohort and the placement providers.

The placements will take place over the summer term. Students will either: i) work with a placement provider and a respective project that is suggested by the department, or ii) identify the placement providers and a project themselves subject to approval from the department.

The module will involve a number of sessions to help students in their placement projects:

Introductory session – students will be introduced to the placement module, the assessments and provided with guidelines in how to approach the placement and how to prepare for their placement experience.

Check-in session – a check-in session mid-way into the placements will take place to get a cohort-level update from the students, enable them to share experiences and get advice from peers.

Final session – students will gather for a final reflective session and present a first version of their outcome portfolio to get formative feedback from staff and peers.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Develop a range of transferable professional skills for future employment (e.g. CV design, job application, cover letter. etc.)
• Develop key career skills such as project management, time management, working to a brief;
• Develop professional practice to work with stakeholders
• Reflect on how theoretical, empirical and methodological frameworks can be put in action to address real-world problems

Research element

The students will be applying their developed theoretical and methodological knowledge as well as their practical skills developed in their studies to real world problems provided by the placement providers. The emphasis is will be mostly on applied research.

Interdisciplinary

Students will work on problems that are inherently complex and requires them to draw on knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines. Through the matching process, students will be able to pick problems that are better fit to their trajectories and background that will enable them to bring in their unique interdisciplinary perspective to the real-world problems provided by the placement partners.

Subject specific skills

• Ability to connect theoretical, conceptual, technical and practical knowledge from their degree to challenges in a professional setting

• Ability to interpret and analyse complexities and needs in professional settings

• Ability to apply interdisciplinary methods and thinking to real world problems

Transferable skills

• Ability to work independently towards deadlines

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Ability to present ideas clearly to diverse audiences