module specification

This work based learning module enables students to gain academic credit for learning through work undertaken in a legal work environment.  The work may be paid employment (part-time or full-time) or an unpaid work placement with a suitable organisation. This might be, but not limited to a firm of solicitors, a barristers’ chambers, a legal department of a commercial enterprise, a firm licensed to offer legal services, or a not-for-profit legal advice service such as a Law Centre or Citizens Advice Bureau.

Students are required to undertake a minimum of 70 hours in a legal work environment, equivalent to 10 full working days (based on 7 working hours per day). The minimum hours can be completed full-time or part-time during the summer after completion of level 5, or part-time over the level 6 academic year. 

The focus is on oral and written communication skills; the ability to work independently and as part of a team; the ability to manage time efficiently, to prioritise tasks, to complete tasks accurately in a timely way and to comply with time limits; problem-solving skills – finding appropriate solutions to challenging problems by the application of law or other theory; awareness of professional codes of conduct and their application in practice. The development of initiative/innovation and commercial awareness is encouraged.

The assessment promotes development of the student’s ability to evaluate their skills and competences, to evaluate their contribution to the organisation, to reflect on the development of professional skills and competencies necessary to their graduate career goals, and to action plan in relation to graduate career and academic goals.

Students are supported in their learning and development through group sessions and individual guidance and feedback. Students attend four group introductory sessions at which the module leader explains the requirements of the module, the skills focus, and the assessment. Individual support is available on request throughout the academic year. Detailed guidance on the module requirements and the assessment is provided via Web\Learn.

The module is open to Level 6 students on law undergraduate courses and other joint discipline law programmes.

• Students will be contacted prior to the semester to provide support in securing work based activity in good time.
• It is a student's responsibility to apply for opportunities and to engage with the Work Based Learning team to assist them.
• The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team and all roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements.
• Learners may be able to utilise existing employment, providing they can demonstrate it is personally developmental and involves a relevant level of responsibility.
• In addition, students may be able to complete the Work Based Learning hours during the summer prior to the academic year in which a student is taking the module.
• Tier 4 International students will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work based learning activity to meet the requirements of their visa. These must be signed by their line manager/supervisor.

The module aims to enable students to:
• Effectively express and understand their current skills and abilities in relation to their career values and goals.
• Practically apply the knowledge gained through their course programme to a legal work environment.
• Gain an in-depth insight of a legal environment
• Make a positive contribution to the employing organisation and demonstrate inclusive workplace practice.
• Recognise their personal and professional development learning and apply to their future goals.

The syllabus will focus on preparing students for the module requirements and their future career via: providing professional guidance for those learners seeking suitable work based learning activity/employment; reflection and analysis of their personal gains from the activity; and post experience planning.

Consideration of suitable work based learning activities as appropriate for the individual and the module, including guidance on job application and selection processes and appropriate articulation of their abilities (via pre-semester workshops/appointments). LO1

Professionalism, work place ethics, being a critical employee, Health and Safety in the workplace, setting personal goals. LO1

Critical self-reflection on their personal and professional development, application of their academic learning to the work relatedbased learning environment. LO2

Problem solving in the work based environment; investigation and analysis of the immediate environment; personal contribution to the work situation and analysis of the wider goals, aims and functions of the project/organisation. LO3

Future career action planning following the work relatedbased experience, reflecting and preparing for the next steps of their development to achieve career goals through study and additional experience. LO4

Scheduled teaching sessions 7.5hours

Five teaching sessions will take place at the beginning of the semester. [For those undertaking their placement in the preceding summer, individual sessions will be offered at the end of the preceding academic year.]

The teaching sessions will be used to:
• Explain the requirements of the module including the student’s responsibility of finding a suitable placement, notifying the University of details of the placement, organisation, likely tasks, and dates and time to the University, along with health and safety information and employer liability insurance details;
• Familiarise students with the range of employability skills and abilities which are the focus of the module;
• Explain the assessment in detail.

Individual guidance and support sessions 3 hours

• Pre-semester preparatory workshops will outline module requirements; assist students in diagnosing their abilities and making decisions about suitable work areas; guide on applying to both advertised jobs and speculative posts and ensure they are able to produce appropriately targeted applications.
• Students will be offered an individual session (or sessions) of up to 60 minutes during the academic year to discuss their progress in the placement and development of relevant skills.
• This may include feedback on draft coursework.

Work based learning activity 70 hours

• Most of the learning for the work placement module (minimum 70 hours) takes place outside the classroom, in the relevant organisation or places indicated by the supervisor such as courts/tribunals or barristers’ chambers.
• 10 hours is allowed for finding a suitable placement (preparing a CV and contacting suitable organisations etc)

Preparation of assessment tasks

The preparation of the assessment for this module will, include recording of activities, reflection on the development of abilities during the placement, action planning for future academic, personal development and career goals, and evaluation of  contribution to the organisation.

Blended learning

Less relevant given the nature of the module, nevertheless the teaching sessions will make full use of internet sources and students will have access to detailed guidance on the module requirements, relevant skills and the assessment items through materials and guidance available on WebLearn.

Opportunities for reflective learning and personal development planning

These are of particular importance to this module given the learning outcomes and assessment, and significant time is allowed to the student for such activity.

The learning outcomes are formulated in accordance with the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code, Advice and Guidance, Work-Based Learning.

1. Analyse the requirements of the work based learning activity through articulation of professional abilities, personal goal setting and consideration of the work environment.
2. Explain their approach to problem solving and personal progress within the workplace and relate to appropriate literature.
3. Appraise the work environment operations and determine personal contribution to the work based learning activity.
4. Critically reflect how the experience relates to their future career and academic goals and plan for further progression.

The module is assessed via formative and summative elements and includes the following:

Work based Learning Agreement (Learning Outcome 1)
Video reflective portfolio of two videos with a CV (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)

1. Work based Learning Agreement (summative assessment) - Learning Outcome 1

The Work  based Learning Agreement comprises planning for the achievement of work  based activities and setting learning goals in the form of a learning contract to prepare for their role and develop awareness of professionalism.  Students will be required to:
• Complete online activities on the University Careers Portal
• Set four personal, work based based goals.
• Undertake a brief critical planning for the work experience activity.
• Completion of standard application form questions.

2. Video reflective portfolio with any supporting evidence (summative assessment) and CV (formative assessment) - Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4

• A video format assessment forms an ongoing learning log of personal and professional development.
• Students are required to submit two video files – 12 minutes in total, at key stages throughout the placement (or other formats where reasonable adjustment needs to be made) to allow them to recognise their development during the role, whilst taking distance learning and benefit from ongoing tutor feedback.
• Formative feedback will be provided throughout and learners are invited to submit synopses of their video plans before each submission for feedback.  By receiving regular feedback during the term of the role students will be encouraged to learn reflexively, developing their performance in the role through personal reflection.
• Each video must refer to at least one of the learning goals they set for themselves in Assessment 1.
• Students will be required to film the video and upload via Weblearn by the set, formative and summative deadline(s). 
• Video One will require a critical analysis of the work based environment and the students’ contribution to the objectives of the organisation/project, with application of relevant literature. The final video two will be a reflective summary of their skill and knowledge application and development, analysis of how well they met their set goals and planning for the future.

Feedback from the line manager / client / supervisor (not assessed)

The student’s employer / line manager will be asked to provide feedback to evaluate the knowledge, skills and attitudes demonstrated by the student and their performance and attendance.  This will not contribute to the assessment.

DEADLINES

Final deadline for the submission of a correctly completed Placement Notification form (not assessed, but essential for the placement employment to be appraised and approved):
● For those undertaking the placement over the summer (where available) at least one week before the role commences
● For those undertaking the placement during the semester, by the end of Week 3.

The Work  based Learning agreement is due on Week 5, Day 3 or an agreed date during the summer early in the work  based activity.

The final summative Video 2 and CV deadline, due no later than Week 13, Day 3

Assessment Marking and Moderation

• All items of assessment will be first marked by the assigned placement tutor and a sample of the module cohort will be moderated through second marking and external examiner approval (in-line with University regulations). 
• Due to the nature of the assessments, marking will not be undertaken anonymously.

Reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/65F27E6D-769F-3A56-5490-5E8837EB3CEA.html?lang=en-US&login=1