EC2WEP: Work Experience Year

Module code: EC2WEP

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 120

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Stephen Kastoryano, email: s.p.kastoryano@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Maxi placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides the opportunity to undertake a placement, and for subsequent reflection on and evaluation of the work experience.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Prepare a written report of between 2,000-3,000 words analysing and evaluating their placement role within the organisation; rules of governance and other procedures affecting the role and the tools and methodologies being employed. The report will provide an academic appreciation of the placement; and an opportunity to research and evaluate alternative approaches, which should be of value to the employer and the placement student.
2. Deliver a 15 minute presentation to their university placement tutor. The presentation should provide an overview of the organisation, how the student’s department fits into the organisation and detail the knowledge and skills learnt from the placement experience.  At the module convenor’s discretion, production of a detailed poster may be considered as an alternative form of presentation.
3. Gain significant experience of working in a professional environment

Module content

The area of work undertaken on the placement will be related to the students’ programme of study in the Department of Economics. The day to day content of the work will be set by the company. The work placement should provide the student with the opportunity for independent problem solving and working in a team.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

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

Study hours

This module is a placement or study abroad module and therefore the teaching and learning activities will predominantly, or entirely, take place away from the University of Reading. Your host organisation will normally advise you of the associated hours of your placement or year abroad. If the module includes any in-person activities at the University of Reading, these will be confirmed to you before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs