Objectives of Placement

The professional training placement provides students with the opportunity to spend twelve months working in industry, commerce or for a professional body. It gives them an insight into their subject and career potential.
The aims and objectives are as follows:To enable students to relate their University studies to the practical situations encountered in the working environment.

OBJECTIVES OF PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT

The three parties involved in the Professional/Industrial Placement Scheme have different but complementary objectives. These may be summarised as follows:-

FOR THE STUDENT

To learn, develop and apply new skills appropriate to the professional setting in which they are working
To apply knowledge and skills acquired in the academic setting to the practical demands of the employing organisation.
To develop and utilise appropriate interpersonal skills in the organisation setting.
To develop and refine the communication skills required of a person working in a professioinal capacity.

FOR THE EMPLOYER

To contribute to undergraduate learning so as to produce gradutaes with the knowledge and skills which are of value to the employer.
To enhance the links between university and employers to the potential benefit of both.
To employ (for a limited period), an intelligent and committed individual who will contribute to the effectiveness of the organisation.

FOR THE UNIVERSITY

To provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills as an employee in a professional capacity.
To promote university links with industry, commerce and professional bodies.
To keep abreast of developements in the social and behavioural sciences as applied in a 'real world' setting.
To make graduates more attractive to employers and enhance their chances of employment
To produce a more rounded and mature graduate.

RENUMERATION

The salary students will receive during their placement year will be negotiated between the employer, student and the Professional Placement Tutor.

In some circumstances, students may have to undertake an unpaid placement. Some professional areas which are of direct relevance to social and human science students cannot offer paid placements. These include clinical, educational, forensic and health psychology placements, social work and some social research placements.

Those students in unpaid placements are dependent upon their student loan, part-time work and parental support where available. Students on placement will pay half the amount of the fees that they would normally be expected to pay - subject to the usual LEA assessment. Students on unpaid placements that conform with those stated in Schedule 5 of the grant awarding regulations will be able to apply for a full student loan, all other students will receive a half the amount of the loan to which they are entitled.