What will I learn on this module?
The Work Placement Year module is a 120 credit year-long module available on degree courses which include a work placement year, taken as an additional year of study at level 5 and before level 6 (the length of the placement(s) will be determined by your programme but it can be no less than 30 weeks). You will undertake a guided work placement at a host organisation. This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Work Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format – “Degree title (with Work Placement Year)”. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the work placement agreement signed by the placement provider, the student, and the University.
Specific learning will depend on the nature of the employer and the placement secured. In general terms, this module is an opportunity to gain significant experience of industry practice, and to learn professional, role-specific skills ‘on the job’. It’s also a great opportunity to improve transferable skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, personal organisation, time management, presentation, commercial awareness, entrepreneurial skills, branding, and professional conduct generally; and to enhance your CV and personal portfolio. Students who have carried out placements in previous years often describe it as a transformative experience; they report greatly increased personal confidence both in terms of launching their future careers, and in returning to their final year of study. Your employer will agree in advance what your learning is likely to include, and will help you reflect on this learning at the end of your placement.
Note: Subject to placement clearance; this is a competitive process and a place on the module cannot be guaranteed.
How will I learn on this module?
The learning and teaching methods will be dependent on the placement. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by the placement provider, the student, and the University. Your final portfolio will enable you to reflect on your learning and present it in a format that will enable you to present it more effectively to future employers.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Pre-placement: You are required to attend relevant presentations and meet with your Placement Tutor as indicated in the Module handbook to satisfy their specific requirements.
On-placement: You will be monitored continuously through regular contact between the Placement Tutor and the Workplace Supervisor. The Placement Tutor (where possible) may visit the workplace during the first half of the placement or may provide you with support through virtual meetings.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• LO1.Contribute their ideas, knowledge and expertise effectively in a working environment
• LO2.Reflect critically on their professional skills development in relation to employability
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• LO3. Integrate academic knowledge and understanding with practical professional experience
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• LO4.Communicate the placement learning experience to others
How will I be assessed?
1. Formative Assessment process: students on placement will submit monthly logs and quarterly reports which will be used by academic staff to provide formative feedback. This may be provided via document templates or using an electronic medium such as a blog, as appropriate.
2. Summative Assessment process: The module assesses both your performance on placement and your reflection on the placement and includes the following elements within a portfolio:
(i) Monthly log of activities (signed off as a true record by the workplace supervisor).
(ii) Quarterly reflective reports.
(iii) Final Written reflective report including a description of Placement Provider's organisation; description of placement activities and a reflection on placement. Depending on the nature of the student’s placement and interests, this may be structured in a digital format such as a presentation, a website, a video or an extended blog.
Addresses MLO 1, 2 and 3.
(iv) Poster or Presentation (addressing MLO4), demonstrating the placement year experience.
(v) Graduate CV (MLO4, illustrating the placement year experience).
This is a Pass/Fail module and an overall pass grade leads to the award of 120 credits. The Work Placement does not contribute to classification. When taken and passed, the Placement Year is recognised on the degree certificate in the format – Degree title (with Work Placement Year).
In the unforeseen event that a placement should be truncated to less than 30 weeks by extenuating circumstances beyond the student or the University’s control, the student and placement tutor shall work together to establish whether a piece of additional reflective work can replace these weeks to support the student’s achievement of the learning outcomes. If so, this can be carried out independently of the employer through independent directed work, based on desk-based research leading to greater individual understanding, skill development and reflection. This option will be dependent on the number of weeks of placement completed up to this point, and any regulations in force at the time regarding the minimum number of completed weeks for a 120-credit module.
Pre-requisite(s)
• Attend pre-departure briefings and training workshops as required.
• Successful completion of Level 4 and Level 5 (year 2).
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
This work placement module is designed for standard full-time undergraduate programmes, to provide you with the option to take an additional one-year sandwich work placement (minimum 30 weeks) within your programme, before your final undergraduate year of study.
A placement experience can significantly enhance your employability skills within areas related to your programme of study, and is valued by many employers. The module does not affect the classification of your degree, but represents 120 credits of study, and if successfully passed the placement year is recognised in your transcript and degree certificate with additional wording ‘(With Word Placement Year)’ For example, ‘BA Hons Animation (With Work Placement Year)’. There is a competitive process for some placements and as availability of placements varies from year to year, a placement cannot be guaranteed, although the University placements co-ordinators will support you in the search for a placement. You will be responsible for identifying the potential placement and will need to liaise with your Programme Leader and the University’s Placements & Internships team to determine the suitability of the placement, with agreement and approval in advance. All placements must be risk assessed and approved by the University in advance, in order for the weeks worked to count towards academic credits. Assessment is via ongoing reports and a final reflective portfolio, with supporting evidence.
Course info
UCAS Code W405
Credits 120
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Arts
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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