PY2PRP-Professional Placement

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: This module is only for BSc Psychology with Professional Placement students.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Maxi placement
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Amanda Branson
Email: A.Branson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Students will complete a minimum of 40 weeks full in time employment to gain relevant work experience. Theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained throughout Part 1 and Part 2 will be used to benefit the placement organisation. Placements must be agreed by the module convenor before they commence. Students should expect to apply for placements through a competitive process, to be interviewed for a placement post, and to make a commitment to professional practice within the placement that they are offered and accept.

Aims:

• to gain insight into a programme-related industry and apply the knowledge and skills developed in Part 1 and Part 2 to the benefit of the host organisation


• to extend knowledge and learning of degree discipline modules, and to help identify future career path(s)


• to enhance employability through being able to demonstrate significant relevant work experience


• to further develop ‘soft-skills’ (e.g. team work, interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative-taking, communication (written and oral), decision making, time management)


• to develop an awareness of the aims and goals of the organisation as a whole and relate the outcomes of the placement department with the aims of the organisation


• to develop knowledge and understanding of a competitive application process within the modern working-world.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

1. Critically reflect on their placement organisation, and their contribution to it


2. Outline the knowledge, skills and abilities developed and applied whilst on placement


3. Identify career management skills including job search and effective applications

Additional outcomes:
Students may also develop some, or a combination of the following:
£ An appreciation of internal and external factors that impact on the running of a company/organisation
£ Self-awareness, and an ability to articulate skills and achievements
£ Awareness of current developments within the placement sector
£ Career-relevant technical skills and competencies
£ Ability to balance competing demands

Outline content:

The nature of the placement will vary widely depending on the host organisation, but students should integrate into the relevant organisation and become a useful asset.



Clinical Placements, within the School



Students taking placements at clinics within the School will start by supporting administrative and data work. Direct client contact will be contingent upon the student receiving the necessary clearance (e.g. DBS), appropriate training, an d demonstration of the required competencies. The types of activities involved in clinical placements may include: liaison with clients/carers, supporting day-to-day administration of clinic, co-facilitation of treatment groups, coding observations, research and clinical data entry.



Research Placements, within the School



Students on a research-based placement will be expected to assist in the daily running of the supervisor's lab, design stud ies, recruit and test participants, analyse data and write reports, as appropriate to the current research programme of the lab.



Public, Private or Voluntary sector Placements, external to the School



Students on placements external to the school will be expected to adhere to the organisations regulations and legal responsibilities as outlined in their contract of employment and associated documents. The Placement must provide students with the op portunity to expand upon their knowledge and understanding of one or more programme-related subject areas and provide them with situations that allow them to develop and enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

One-year professional placement to gain relevant work experience in a setting related to the student’s degree programme. Students will have regular reviews with their placement supervisor, plus at least one meeting with a member of University staff, to review the students progess in the placement environment. Meetings will typically be conducted remotely (e.g. Skype). 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Placement	370	370	380
Guided independent study:	20	20	40
Total hours by term	390	390	420
Total hours for module	1200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will submit a portfolio comprising four key elements:

1. Induction and goal setting form, three-month review and end of placement review forms (including confirmation of placement completion), signed by student and supervisor.


2. Placement Diary, succinctly describing and reflecting on work carried out during the placement, highlighting challenges faced, as well as knowledge, skills and experiences gained or applied.


3. Placement report (up to 2500 words), describing and critically reflecting on the placement; including activities undertaken, challenges faced, knowledge and skills acquired and applied, and areas for development where appropriate.


4. Training log, demonstrating, and reflecting on at least 30 hours of placement/career-related training undertaken during Part 1, Part 2 and during the placement year, as appropriate. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive regular supervision from their placement supervisor, during which goals and targets will be discussed in the context of training, development and performance. University based formative assessments will not be employed; however students will be expected to conform to organisation-specific requirements for any formative assessments, such as performance reviews or oral presentations. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students must complete their placement and pass all components of the portfolio, with an overall mark of 40% or higher for the reflective report . 

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of all portfolio elements which are not passed at the first attempt except the Confirmation of Completion (end-of-placement review), which cannot be reassessed. Students who fail the placement year after the second attempt may transfer to the three-year version of the degree. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Students should be aware that placements may incur travel costs which are not reimbursed by the department. These will differ depending on the placement, and students are advised to calculate such costs before accepting any placement.

Last updated: 16 September 2021