DA5032 - Professional Practice 2

What will I learn on this module?

Building on the learning outcomes of the previous Professional Practice module, in this module you will focus on learning about and reflecting on working with others towards common goals, and gaining an understanding of different techniques for communication and negotiation. You will learn to identify your own development needs and take appropriate action to meet those needs, actively engaging in an Apprentice-led programme of Continuing Professional Development events.

How will I learn on this module?

Most of your learning on this Degree Apprenticeship module will be in your workplace. You will gain a theoretical understanding of the topics through live (online or face-to-face) university sessions and online resources such as recorded lectures, videocasts, podcasts, electronic books, journal articles and websites. Your involvement in construction quantity surveying tasks will enable you to put the theory into context, thereby cementing your understanding. You will agree with your Workplace Mentor a Module Learning Plan (MLP) designed to achieve the Module Learning Outcomes via a series of directed workplace learning activities, particularly active engagement in an Apprentice-led programme of Continuing Professional Development events.

Opportunities will also be provided for you to develop your understanding through peer and tutor interaction in discussion groups and research rich debates during live classroom or synchronous online seminars and workshops. You will be encouraged to draw on your own professional experiences to share best practice and contribute to Q&A sessions and debates. In addition to the development of your team working skills in the workplace, you will also develop this through collaborative working in groups with Apprentices from both your programme and related programmes.

Due to the nature of this module, there is a greater proportion of work-based learning (estimated at 120 hours) and a smaller amount of scheduled activity than for the technical modules. This is estimated at 4 hours of ‘Seminars’ (synchronous delivery, most likely all online via Blackboard Collaborate), 4 hours of ‘Lectures’ (asynchronous online delivery via Blackboard and Blackboard Collaborate), and 2 hours ‘Tutorials (1-to-1 support from your Workplace Mentor and Workplace Coach). The remaining hours in the Notional Student Workload for the module are attributed to independent learning, with the estimated ratio of tutor-guided to student independent learning at 2:3, as appropriate for a Level 5 module.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Your Module Tutor(s) will deliver an online module induction session and lead live sessions that enable you to interact with your tutor and peers. They will provide and direct you to essential and recommended online resources available via the University’s eLearning Portal and University Library. Outside of live sessions, they will provide advice and respond to questions via the eLearning Portal.

Your Workplace Mentor will support you in developing your Module Learning Plan. You will be provided with a guidance document that outlines the principles of workplace learning and provides examples of a large and diverse range of potential workplace learning activities. You may also discuss your Module Learning Plan with your Workplace Coach.

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:
None

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
None

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO1: Demonstrate a highly developed ability to work with others towards common goals and understand different techniques for communication and negotiation

MLO2: Critically evaluate own development needs and develop and implement a strategy to meet those needs

How will I be assessed?

You will be formatively assessed by the completion of the workplace learning activities identified in your Module Learning Plan. You will receive informal, often verbal, formative feedback from your Workplace Mentor, and sometimes from other colleagues and your Workplace Coach. You will also have the opportunity for formative feedback from your module tutor(s), particularly during assessment guidance sessions.

Your summative assessment will provide you with the opportunity to translate your workplace learning into a coherent output that demonstrates that you have achieved the module learning outcomes.

You will be required to collaborate with your peers to design and organise an Apprentice-led programme of Continuing Professional Development events. Your individual assessment will be in the form of a 15-minute formal verbal CPD presentation, with visual aids such as PowerPoint slides, to your peers with Q&A and a critical reflection of the collaborative process of designing and organising the programme of events.
The presentation may be made via either a live online session or a pre-recorded submission, with the possibility of face-to-face presentations if practical.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in a practice presentation and Q&A session in a small group, and exchange formative feedback on both the presentation content and your presentation skills.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is an integral part of your Degree Apprenticeship programme, designed in collaboration with employers to meet the requirements of the Chartered Surveyor and Construction Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship Standards and provides a solid skills base for career progression and professional qualification.

Building on the previous Professional Practice module, you will focus on learning about and reflecting on working with others towards common goals, and gaining an understanding of different techniques for communication and negotiation. You will learn to identify your own development needs and take appropriate action to meet those needs, actively engaging in an Apprentice-led programme of Continuing Professional Development activities.

You will gain theoretical understanding through university sessions and online resources but as a Degree Apprentice, you will do most of your learning in the context of your role in the construction industry via a series of workplace learning activities agreed with your Workplace Mentor.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Part Time

Department Architecture and Built Environment

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

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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