What will I learn on this module?
The aim of the module is to provide you with opportunities to further develop knowledge and skills to enable transition from graduate level to the world of work. This module provides you the opportunity to develop your employability and understanding of contemporary professional practice by participating in a work related learning opportunity. Experiences will be provided to enhance your professional skills in a workplace setting by exploring the realities of day to day practice. Learning experiences will also be also provided to enable you to gain an appreciation of the contribution of the reflective process in developing your professional practice and an understanding of professional roles and responsibilities within a multi-agency context. This will give you the opportunity to explore possible areas of career interest and gain relevant experience.
As part of your placement preparation you will attend a short series of lectures and workshops in which you will be introduced to models of reflective practice and key concepts and issues relating to contemporary professional practice such as organisational culture, professionalism, professional boundaries, ethics/codes of conduct and multi agency/ integrated working. As the placement unfolds you will reflect on your experiences and progress towards agreed professional development targets via a placement diary. These reflections will then be shared in seminars and tutorials with peers and a tutor who will provide formative feedback that will enable you to enrich your understanding of professional practice in the workplace.
How will I learn on this module?
You will experience a range of learning and teaching approaches throughout the module. The initial sessions will comprise of lectures and group activities to introduce key concepts and support you to prepare for placement. You will also learn experientially throughout the placement and will take part in a series of focused seminars to support your reflection and engage in group activities.
Students will be encouraged to be proactive in negotiating their professional development targets and to contribute to an effective learning environment.
As the placement unfolds you will develop your critical reflection skills by examining your experiences and progress towards your agreed professional development targets via a placement diary. These reflections will then be shared in seminars and tutorials with peers and a tutor who will provide formative feedback that will enable you to deepen your understanding of professional practice in the workplace and assist them in preparing for summative assessment which takes the form of an interview and completed placement diary.
This module provides an authentic experience of employment and enabling you to develop useful knowledge, self-assessment abilities and skills transferable to a variety of settings to enhance your employability
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be allocated a tutor (a member of the Programme team) and a placement mentor who will support you throughout the module The tutor and mentor will also assist you to develop, negotiate and agree a set of professional development targets which you will work on throughout the module. Whilst the placement mentor will be the first point of contact within the placement the tutor will also provide academic and placement related support.
Tutors will provide formative feedback through tutorials which will focus on the placement diary to enable you to deepen both your knowledge and understanding.
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:
1. Understand and discuss the nature and purpose of your work related learning opportunity and examine the ways in which it provides its service
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Reflect on your personal contribution to the day to day practice and overall aims and objectives of the organization
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3. Identify your own professional development needs and present verbal and written evidence of your progression towards these
4. Consider and articulate what it means to be a professional within your work related learning opportunity
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment
You will reflect critically on your experiences and record them in a placement diary. These reflections will then be shared with peers and tutors through the use of seminars and tutorials.
Tutors will provide formative feedback through tutorials on the placement diary. This will enable you to deepen your understanding of professional practice and assist you in preparing for summative assessment.
You will receive peer feedback during seminars. You will also receive feedback from your placement mentor on your contribution to the day to day practice of the organisation.
Summative assessment is in two parts:
(i) A completed placement diary which will incorporate a reflective summary of 1500 words, demonstrating your progression towards your negotiated targets and the learning outcomes of the module. This must be signed by your placement mentor.
(ii) An interview in which you provide verbal evidence of how you have progressed towards your negotiated targets, and learning outcomes.
(MLO 1,2,3,4)
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
The Exploring Professional Practice Module will give you the opportunity to see Guidance and Counselling in practice. You will be able to research and learn about how professionals undertake their practice within a placement setting. This learning will be transferrable to your future choice of career. You may be placed in schools, voluntary, health related and community based groups, where you may have the opportunity to build relationships with those looking for support from the agency. You will have the opoortunity to develop your communication skills with a diverse range of people and to engage in planning your future career. This
Course info
UCAS Code B9L5
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane 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.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
