HS2WEY-Work Experience Year

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: HS2SAY Study Abroad Year
Placement opportunity: Maxi placement
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Elizabeth Matthew
Email: e.a.e.matthew@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake a placement in a field relevant to the wide range of careers open to graduates in their discipline, and to reflect on and evaluate their work experience.

Aims:

The aims of the work placement are to enhance career development and employability by:

1. providing the opportunity to apply and develop in the work place the skills gained in the first two years of the degree programme;


2. providing the opportunity to gain knowledge, understanding and practical experience of a relevant work environment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The student will demonstrate their learning outcomes by:

1. Preparing a written report of 2,000-3,000 words analysing and evaluating their role within the organisation, explaining the rules of governance and other procedures affecting the role, and the skills, tools and methodologies employed. The report will provide an opportunity to research and critically evaluate alternative approaches, which should be of value to the employer and the placement student.


2. Delivering a 15-minute presentation to two examiners at the university and responding to their questions. The presentation should provide an overview of the organisation, how the student’s area of work fits into the organisation, detail the knowledge and skills learnt from the placement, and assess its value in terms of career development.

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain hands on experience of full time employment in a work place, directly relevant to the skills, knowledge and graduate prospects of their discipline. Their confidence and self-reliance, maturity and sense of responsibility, team working and communication skills will be enhanced. The overall experience will be potentially invaluable in terms of their future career development and employability.

Outline content:

The day to day content of the work will be set by the employer. The work placement should provide the student with the opportunity for independent problem solving and working in a team.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The onus of this module is on independent working, including work experience, learning by observation, training and doing.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Placement	400	400	400
Total hours by term	400	400	400
Total hours for module	1200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The student is required to submit the following on completion of their placement:

1. 2,000-3,000 word reflective and evaluative report assessed by the student’s placement tutor at the university;


2. 15 minute presentation assessed by the student’s placement tutor and a co-examiner.

The report must be submitted by 12 noon on the Friday of the second week of the Autumn term of the final year of study.  A date for the oral presentation will be arranged in the first half of this term.

Formative assessment methods:

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

Satisfactory completion of the placement, which is determined by the student’s progress throughout the year, submission of the written report and presentation.

Successful completion of a placement does not contribute to the student’s final degree classification.

 

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of report by the end of the fourth week of the Autumn term of the final year of study.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Costs associated with undertaking a placement or study abroad year, in addition to the reduced tuition fee (15%), will vary according to each student and will be the responsibility of the individual to cover. These costs may include travel, visa, living expenses and in some cases clothing and equipment. UK students may be eligible to receive maintenance loans/grants from their Student Finance Authority to help with the cost of study. There is a limited placement bursary available for home/EU students with a household income of £42,000 or less.

Last updated: 30 March 2023