CEPB1016
Definition of placement learning and study abroad in relation to the
Leeds undergraduate curriculum
One of the principles of the new Leeds undergraduate curriculum states that:
All students will have the opportunity for placement learning and/or study abroad
Placements and study abroad are an essential part of the learning and development of our
students, helping them to gain a greater understanding and experience of the work
environment, and improve confidence, broaden horizons, and develop skills and experiences
which can improve future employability.
The value of this experience is, to a great extent, dependent on the student going through
the process of preparation and reflection for the placement/study abroad. Within the new
curriculum, schools should be able to identify the most appropriate mechanism to support
this process, whether this is, for example, via personal tutoring and the use of the Leeds for
Life web forms, input from school-based work placement or study abroad co-ordinators
and/or central support from the Careers Centre or Study Abroad Office.
Placements
For the purpose of the curriculum project, a placement is a period of work or vocational
experience that is undertaken by an undergraduate or postgraduate student whilst enrolled
at the University, which may be part of a competitive process. The placement could be
either as part of their academic studies, or as a period of work or vocational experience that
is organised or managed by the University. It will be varied in nature and duration. The
placement may be paid or unpaid and either in the UK or abroad.
Examples of placements might include:
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Integrated 12 month placements within the student’s programme, e.g. Industrial
placements (NHS, IBM, Shell, Marks and Spencer, SMEs)
Clinical placements
Medical electives
Initial teacher training placements
Structured summer internships (e.g. through the Careers Centre or faculty/school)
Work placement in Europe as part of the programme (Erasmus)
Voluntary work (e.g. through an Access and Community Engagement (ACE)
programme)
Accredited volunteering modules (run within programmes by ACE)
STEP national work experience programme
LeedsforLife opportunities: eg those included in the database of work experience,
employability and volunteering opportunities
The University’s policy on placement learning, approved in June 2010, can be found at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/qmeu/documents/policy/placementlearning2010.doc. This policy
specifically covers placements which contribute to the Learning Outcomes of a taught
programme of study leading to a University award, including years in industry, clinical
placements and initial teacher training placements.
CEPB1016
Study Abroad
Most students1 who study abroad are originally on a three year programme and change to
an international variant of their degree which extends its duration by a year. This means
students usually study abroad in their third year and return to Leeds for the final year of their
degree.
Schools might also consider offering the opportunity for students to study abroad in the third
year as part of their integrated Masters Degree courses or a replacement semester.
Short summer school programmes are currently offered by the Study Abroad Office to Spain,
South Korea and China, for those students who are unable to commit to a full year.
Advice and support is available to staff and students from the Study Abroad Office.
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This definition does not apply to those students who are already committed to studying abroad as part of
their programme, e.g. modern languages