SH5W03 - Preparing for Practice (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Preparing for Practice | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module explores the concept of employability from a theoretical perspective and its practical relevance to your professional future. The focus of the module moves beyond a narrow approach to employability based on skills and attributes to encompass a more inclusive approach reflecting values, intellectual rigour and engagement. You will examine what is meant by being employable from this perspective and how to identify and plan creatively to meet your personal and professional aspirations. You will be encouraged to identify potential career pathways appropriate to your values and strengths and to think strategically about how you achieve these. This will involve equipping you with the personal and professional knowledge and practical skills necessary for career success in health and social care or related sectors. The development of employability skills as a part of your degree studies is a crucial element in preparing you to negotiate successfully the developing social, economic and professional context within which you will pursue your career.
As part of this, you will be expected to undertake a period of work experience in a setting relevant to your identified career aspirations. Workshops in preparation for this will take place early in the seminars.
You will develop key skills and knowledge to enhance your employability as follows:
theoretical and practical understanding of employability
awareness of your own values and strengths and areas for personal development
an understanding of the emerging context of careers in health and social care
the relationship between employability and equality
short and long-term career goals consistent with your individual aspirations
gain an in-depth insight into a work environment aligned to your goals
practical core employability skills (e.g. CV development, online presence, various interview skills and techniques such as the STARR technique)
Please note:
● Students will be contacted prior to the semester to provide support in securing a work based placement in good time.
● Students are responsible for applying for opportunities and to engage with the Module Team/Work Based Learning teams to assist them.
● The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team/Work Based Learning Team and all placements must meet Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements.
● Those studying on a Student Visa will only be able to complete a work placement if it meets UKVI monitoring requirements including: approval of the placement dates and hours by the Placement Officer prior to starting the placement, submission of weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken, signed by their line manager/supervisor and continued engagement with the Placement Officer as well as the International Student Support and Compliance Team.
Prior learning requirements
None
Syllabus
What is employability? [LO1]
Equality, diversity and careers [LO2]
Self-development principles and practice [LO3]
Self-awareness and management [LO2]
Demonstration of confident self-presentation and self-assessment techniques [LO2, 3]
Goal setting and personal development planning including planning for job applications [LO5]
Trends in employment sectors and employers needs [LO2]
Selection methods [LO4]
Career development [LO5]
Preparation for placement [LO5]
Consideration of suitable work-based learning activities [LO5]
Professionalism [LO4]
Critical reflection and analysis [LO2]
Reflective practice and writing [LO6]
Selection interview and related application skills [LO4]
Entrepreneurship, start-up, self-employment and freelancing opportunities [LO5]
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module is structured in two distinct stages in order to enhance your employability. During the Autumn semester, you will engage with a range of activities, both in seminars and individually, designed to increase your understanding of employability and how this applies to you. Specific activities will help you clarify your career goals and identify personal and professional values and strengths, and the developmental needs associated with these goals. This will require reflection on your career to date and how this has prepared you for the future. Specific workshops will address key skills e.g. self-awareness, skills and knowledge gap analysis and interview skills and there will be support for identifying and acquiring suitable work experience.
Work experience during the Spring semester forms the second stage of this module. Seminar sessions provide opportunities for you to discuss your existing knowledge and previous experience, helping you to make links between practical and theoretical understanding, as you further develop your professional skills and knowledge. Workshops offered throughout the Spring Term aim to support your work-based learning experience and offer guidance on completing the final assessment.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- apply the concept of employability to your chosen career aspirations reflecting the nature of the context
- evaluate how awareness of your values and strengths influences your career aspirations
- provide a rationale for your identified knowledge and skills development needs aligned to your career aspirations
- confidently demonstrate understanding of the requirements of professional recruitment and selection processes and of employer requirements
- develop a career plan to identify your personal and professional development targets and strategies
- evaluate the development of your employability over the course of the module