LTC13-P34
6 June 2013
LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE
Subject
Professional placement and study abroad opportunities
Origin
Placements Group (Membership: Morag Bell, Jennifer Nutkins, Nigel Thomas, Rob Pearson, Caroline Smith, Helen
Smith, Lisa Blenkinsopp, Samantha Marshall).
Strategic objective met
The Placements Group reviews the University’s current provision for placement based learning and aims to clarify related
roles and responsibilities. This will enable the University to increase the range of opportunities available to students and
ensure that appropriate support is in place, as per the University’s Code of Practice for Placement Learning.
Executive summary
The Placements Group has identified a number of areas where there is the potential to enhance the University’s current
provision for placement opportunities. A wider consultation is therefore advised, including review of:



The suitability of the current non-credit bearing system for placement years
Implementation of a simplified framework for placement opportunities, with greater consistency for academic
requirements across Schools
Review of the DPS/DIS/DIntS nomenclature, taking into consideration similar programme titles offered at other
UK HEIs and employer priorities for professional training experience
It is a recommendation of the group that a full consultation on the key issues raised above is completed by the Careers
and Employability Centre, in collaboration with the relevant sections of the Academic Registry and Academic Schools.
The consultation should be completed by late 2013, with a view to implementing any changes in time for prospectus
publication ahead of the 2014/2015 academic year.
LTC is also advised of a number of enhancements are already underway, including the production of a resource toolkit
for staff and students involved in placement learning. The development of IT systems that will facilitate placement
administration are also in progress, further details of which will be presented to LTC in a separate paper.
Introduction
The Placements Group was convened by the PVC(T) in September 2012 in order to review the University’s current
provision for professional placements and study abroad opportunities.
With reference to the University’s Code of Practice for Placement Learning the group has consulted on a range of issues,
as detailed below:

A framework for professional placement and study abroad opportunities

Roles and responsibilities for implementation of the framework

Promotion and marketing opportunities

Enhancement and development of the current framework
1)
Establishing a framework for professional work based and study abroad opportunities
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The group considered a framework model for professional work and study abroad opportunities, including options for
placements of duration less than 45-weeks. It was noted that shorter placements could form part of the requirements for
the Employability Award. The group supported the provision of a range of professional work based modules but noted
that consistency, across Schools, regarding academic requirements was important.
It was noted that in 2010, PQTP and the Teaching Centre undertook an audit of module specifications for all DPS, DIS
and DIntS qualifications (see appendix to this paper). The audit found there to be considerable variability across up to 40
different module specifications and recommended that there was greater consistency regarding both ILOs and
assessment criteria. The group supported the implementation of a simplified framework for module specifications for
placement and study abroad modules, and suggested that this issue should be revisited by the University.
Proposed changes to the framework were also considered as part of a wider discussion regarding the suitability of a noncredit bearing diploma award for the DPS, DIS and DIntS. It was noted that at a number of UK HEIs the placement year,
or study abroad year, forms part of the credit bearing load for an extended Bachelors (4 year) or Master’s (5 year)
degree. The group recommended that the University undertakes further consultation regarding the current system, by
which non-credit bearing certification only, is awarded for the DPS/DIS/DIntS year.
2)
Defining roles, responsibilities and structures
Terms of References for both the Placement Advisors’ Group and members of the International Mobility Team (exchange
co-ordinators) had been reviewed and agreed by the relevant group. It was noted that Deans and Operations Managers
should be fully aware of the roles and responsibilities of staff undertaking placement or study abroad activities within their
Schools and appropriate allowance should be made in the work load model.
It was also recognised that Schools need clear advice as to which Professional Services can support study abroad and
placement opportunities. High level mapping had been completed by CEC and the Academic Registry. This information
will be included in the relevant staff handbooks and websites.
The group recommended that Schools should investigate mechanisms for further integration and sharing of
administrative resources for study abroad and work placements. It was noted that discussions had already taken place
between a number of Schools.
3)
Promotion and marketing
The Placements Group recommended that the current DIS/DPS/DIntS nomenclature for placement years should be
replaced by more accessible terminology. Following initial consultation and review of course titles used by competitor
institutions, it was suggested that the University adopts the following terminology:

Programme name….with Professional Placement Year (to replace DIS and DPS)

Programme name ….with Study Abroad Year (to replace DIntS)
The group recommended that the Careers and Employability Centre, in collaboration with the Academic Registry, should
complete a full consultation with Schools, with a view to implementing any changes in time for prospectus publication
ahead of the 2014/2015 academic year.
4)
Beyond a code of practice for placement and study abroad opportunities
It was agreed that a central information resource should be made available to help students make a fully informed choice
regarding the type of placement they wish to undertake. Development of toolkits for staff and students, mapped to the
Code of Practice for placement students, is underway in the Careers and Employability Centre. A similar project had
been undertaken in the Registry for study abroad exchanges and a co-ordinators’ handbook and student application pack
have been produced.
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IT systems that will facilitate placement administration are currently under development as part of the Student Placement
System Project Team. The project aims to consolidate information held on a range of systems across the University and
to provide user-friendly staff and student facing facilities. Further details are included in an accompanying paper to this
meeting of LTC.
In conclusion, it is hoped that these developments will lead to an improved recruitment opportunities and employer
relationships, an enhanced student experience and more efficient administrative processes for placement and study
abroad opportunities.
LTC is asked to consider the developments and recommendations made in the executive summary and comment on the
proposed consultation for placement opportunities.
Author – Samantha Marshall
Date – May 2013
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