What will I learn on this module?
The Work Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module available on degree courses which include a work placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. The placement consists of 48 weeks of full time work experience in a host organisation which is relevant to your studies.
The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:
• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.
This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree 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 training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University.
How will I learn on this module?
You will gain hands-on experience of the working world which will be invaluable to entering into your chosen career. You will learn more about how organisations operate, especially their culture and values; you will enhance your existing skills and develop new ones, in particular team working, communication and problem solving. You will develop a better understanding of how your studies fit in to the real work environment and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the industry that you are keen to work in on graduation.
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 home University (Northumbria).
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Pre-placement: You are required to attend the pre-placement presentation and meet with the Academic Placement Co-ordinator.
On-placement: You will be monitored continuously through regular contact between the Placement Tutor and the Workplace Supervisor. The Placement Tutor (where possible) will visit you at your place of work mid-placement to discuss your progress with you and your Work Based Supervisor. In addition you Placement Tutor can provide you with additional support through virtual meetings where necessary.
You will be supported throughout by our experienced team of placement co-ordinators in Student Central. The team will help you find the right placement for you and will help you prepare for interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests. Once you are out on placement the team will continue to maintain regular contact with you and will continue to support you throughout the year.
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:
• Contribute their ideas, knowledge and expertise effectively in a working environment. (MLO1)
• Reflect critically on their professional skills development in relation to employability. (MLO2)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Integrate academic knowledge and understanding with practical professional experience. (MLO3)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Communicate the placement experience to others. (MLO4)
How will I be assessed?
1. Formative Assessment: You will be allocated a placement tutor who will be available for formative assessment throughout the year. This will vary according to placement.
2. Summative Assessment: The module assesses both your performance on placement and your reflection on the placement experience.
Summative assessment is by the satisfactory completion of a Portfolio of evidence and a work placement of 48 weeks of full time work. In exceptional circumstances, a work placement of shorter or longer duration can be authorised by the Faculty Director of Placements or the Academic Placement Co-ordinator for Placements, but should in any event be a minimum of 36 weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks. You will be required to produce a Portfolio based on your work experience and a reflection on your time out on placement.
The portfolio will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your self-development,, research and analysis skills and critical reflection on the usefulness of academic study to business.
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 your degree classification.
The summative assessment will address MLO1, MLO2, MLO3 and MLO4.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
n an increasingly competitive graduate recruitment market you’ll need more than a good degree to get the job you want. Graduate employers are increasingly looking for evidence of relevant work experience as well as academic achievement in candidates. A year out in industry enhances your employability prospects, making you more appealing to graduate employers.
You’ll get practical experience in your chosen field whilst developing many of the skills that you will need in the workplace. You’ll gain a better understanding of how organisations operate and you will be able to apply this knowledge directly to your studies. Indeed, research suggests that placement students perform better academically, in many cases by one classification higher.
Most of our programmes now include a placement year as standard, but even when they don’t, we strongly recommend that you consider taking up a year-long placement. So what are you waiting for?
Course info
UCAS Code N4N3
Credits 120
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Full Time or 3 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Newcastle Business School
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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