module specification

 This module enables students to undertake a short period of professional activity either part-time/vacation employment; work placement; not-for-profit sector volunteering or a professional project led by an employer.

The work related learning activity must be for a minimum of 105 hours. These hours can be completed in a minimum of 15 working days (based on 7 hours per day) full-time during the summer, or over a semester in a part-time mode.  The activity aims to: enable learners to build on previous experience and learning gained within academic studies and elsewhere; provide opportunity for personal skills and employability development and requires application of subject knowledge and relevant literature.  Learners will be supported in developing improved understanding of themselves, and the work environment through reflective and reflexive learning in reference to the Quality Assurance Agency Subject Benchmark Statements for the appropriate degree programme.

Students will be contacted prior to the semester to ensure they understand requirements of securing work related activity in advance. Support is provided to find and apply for suitable opportunities through the Placements and Careers teams. The suitability of the opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team.  Learners may be able to utilise existing employment, providing they can demonstrate that it is personally developmental and involves a certain level of responsibility.  It is a student's responsibility to apply for opportunities and engage with the Placement and Careers team to assist them in finding a suitable role. 

The module is open to all Business and Management undergraduate course programmes (for semesters/levels, see the appropriate course specification.

 Non
• Students who pass this module at Level 5, will not be required to take this module or any other Work Related Learning module. 
• All undergraduate learners are required to undertake a minimum of 15 credits of approved Work Related Learning, as outlined with each course specification.

 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 related learning activity/employment; reflection and analysis of their personal gains from the activity; and post experience planning.
Consideration of suitable work related 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 related learning environment (referring to the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for their degree programme). 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 related experience, reflecting and preparing for the next steps of their development to achieve career goals through study and additional experience. LO4

Introductory workshops and guidance applying for suitable work related learning roles - (Up to 3 hours in total: workshop 2 hours, one to one guidance minimum 30 mins)
• 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. 
• Those seeking work-related learning opportunities will be required to take up additional support on job search and application strategies.  Suitable opportunities will be advertised to students via the University Careers and Employability online vacancy portals.
• Learners will be given access to WebLearn in advance of the semester to access module information including: how to register secured work related learning opportunities; access links to additional external resources and suitable placement/job sites to assist in developing labour market knowledge; obtain guidance on recruitment processes and view external websites advertising suitable opportunities.

Timetabled workshops during the semester or prior to the summer placement (5 hours)
• 1 hour workshops will run for Weeks 1-4 and will cover the syllabus outlined.
• Those undertaking the work related learning activity in the summer prior to the academic year the module is registered will be invited to condensed workshops prior to the work related activity commencing.
• Relevant learning and assessment materials will be uploaded to the WebLearn module including slides, exercises, examples of previous student assessment submissions and tutor contact information.
• Those undertaking Client Projects based within the University will be required to attend weekly scheduled supervised sessions to meet the requirements of the client briefs.

Research and independent study (28 hours)
• Work related activity research and opportunity search, with face to face and online Careers guidance including accessing the University's virtual careers guidance Careers Portal
• Independent study following the workshops
• During the experience, students are required to keep a regular record of the activities they have carried out to contribute to the module assessment.
• Post work related learning development: students will be encouraged to further progress their employability in consideration of their graduate careers goals.  This can be through for example: progressive employment experience and/or extra-curricular activities which will be supported by the Careers and Placement teams and online resources such as the University Careers Portal.

Work related learning activity - (105 hours)
• Learners will be supported via WebLearn, one-to-one support from the Placements team (face to face and remotely).  Supporting materials and detailed assessment criteria will be uploaded to WebLearn. 
• Each student will be assigned a placement tutor who will provide guidance and assessment support during the module.

Assessed portfolio - (preparation time 10 hours)
• The student is required to submit a reflective learning portfolio commencing with a work related learning agreement early in their work experience and reflective videos summarising their development throughout the term of the experience. This will include evaluating their learning and employability development and action planning for the future.
• Timely feedback/feedforward from the Placement team and tutors will allow students to progress their reflective and reflexive capabilities.
• The employer/client will be requested to complete an evaluation on the knowledge, skills and attitude demonstrated by the student, which will not contribute to the summative assessment, but provide developmental feedback.

 The learning outcomes are formulated in accordance with the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Chapter B10, 2012, "Managing higher education provision with others" which covers work placement modules.

1. Analyse the requirements of the work related 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 related 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:
1. Work-Related Learning Agreement (Learning Outcome 1)
2. Video reflective portfolio of three videos with a CV (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)

1. Work-Related Learning Agreement (summative assessment) - Learning Outcome 1
The Work Related Learning Agreement comprises planning for the achievement of work related 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-related goals.
• Undertake a brief critical planning for the work experience activity.
• Respond to 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 three video files – 15 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.
• Learners will be required to refer to the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements which most closely links to their degree programme, in the assessment.  They should read the subject knowledge and understanding; skills; transferable application of the skills and the benchmark standards outlined in the document.  These will provide an overview of the knowledge and skills a student and graduate of each degree programme should know, and be able to apply to a work related learning activity. 
• Students will be required to film the video and upload via WebLearn by the set, formative and summative deadline(s). 

Reflective video topics:
1. Skills and Knowledge: (Learning Outcome 2)
Providing examples of generic skills and sector/industry specific knowledge gained
2. Organisation/Project: (Learning Outcomes 3)
The organisation/department/project to illustrate in-depth understanding and critically analysis from their observations.
3. Next Steps: (Learning Outcomes 4)
This will be the final video reflecting on the whole work experience for the module, summarising how they have met their four learning goals and demonstrating progression relating to their graduate career goals. Students are required to submit a copy of their CV which this final submission which includes the module work related experience for formative feedback.

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

Deadlines for each of the three video portfolio elements, including submission of a CV with the final video:
o Video 1 deadline: no later than Week 7, Day 3
o Video 2 deadline: no later than Week 10, Day 3
o Video 3 and CV deadline: 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.

 Textbooks:

Core Texts:

Cottrell S (2015) Skills for success, personal development and employability 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
Trought F (2017) Brilliant employability skills: how to stand out from the crowd in the graduate job market (business skills) 2nd edition, Pearson Business, Harlow

Other Texts:

Cameron S (2009) The business student’s handbook: skills for study and employment 5th edition Pearson, Harlow
Durrant A, Rhodes G, Young D (2011) Getting started with university-level work based learning, 2nd edition, Libri Publishing, London
Gallagher K (2016) Essential study and employment skills for business and management students, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford
Greetham B (2016) Smart thinking: How to think conceptually, design solutions and make decisions Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
Heyler R (2015) The work-based learning student handbook, 2nd edition, Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
Kirton B (2012) Brilliant workplace skills for students and graduates Prentice Hall, Harlow
Lumley M and Wilkinson J (2013) Developing employability for business Oxford University Press, Oxford
Moon J (2004) A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice Routledge Falmer, London
Rook S (2013) The graduate career guidebook: advice for students and graduates on careers options, jobs, volunteering, applications, interviews and self-employment Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
Scherer A (2012) Brilliant intern Prentice Hall, Harlow
Williams K, Woolliams M, Spiro J (2012) Reflective writing (pocket study skills) Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke

Websites:

London Metropolitan University Careers Service http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/jobs-and-employment/career-and-employability-advice/
Higher Education careers information www.prospects.ac.uk
Higher Education careers information http://targetjobs.co.uk

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Subject Benchmark Statements for individual degree programmes:
Please refer to the Subject Benchmark Statement below which most closely links to your degree programme.  Please read the subject knowledge and understanding; skills; transferable application of the skills and the benchmark standards outlined in the document.  These will provide an overview of the knowledge and skills a student and graduate of your degree programme should know, and be able to apply to a work related learning activity.  You will need to ref0er to these in your assessment.
Accounting: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Accounting-16.pdf
Business & Management: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-business-management-15.pdf
Communication, Media, Film & Cultural Studies: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Communication-Media-Film-and-Cultural-Studies-16.pdf
Economics: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Economics-15.pdf
Events, Hospitaiity, Sport and Tourism: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Events-Hospitality-Leisure-Sport-Tourism-16.pdf
Finance: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Finance-16.pdf