Katarina Zajacova and Rachel Cohen
The overall aim of the Professional Training (Placement) Year is to enable students to relate their University studies to the practical situations encountered in the working environment. The specific aims and objectives for the student, department and employers are set out below.
For the Student:
Aims
- To acquire, develop and apply new skills appropriate to the professional setting in which they are working.
- To apply knowledge and skills acquired in the academic setting to the practical demands of the employing organisation.
- To develop and utilise appropriate interpersonal skills in the organisational setting.
- To develop and refine the communication skills required of a person working in a professional capacity.
Objectives
- To enhance employment prospects through relevant personal and professional development.
- To inform the student’s career plans and provide a focus for the final year of study.
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For the Department:
Aims
- To provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills as an employee in a professional capacity.
- To keep abreast of developments in the behavioural and social sciences as applied in a 'real world' setting.
Objectives
- To produce more rounded and mature graduates who are attractive to employers and whose placement experience enhances their academic performance at Level 3.
- To promote Departmental links with a broad range of organisations in the public, voluntary and private sector.
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For the Employer:
Aims
- To employ a student for a limited period.
- To participate in a professionally-orientated education scheme at university level.
Objectives
- To benefit from the contribution of an intelligent and committed individual who will add to the effectiveness of the organisation.
- To contribute to undergraduate learning in order to produce graduates with knowledge and skills that are of value to employers.
79 Timing: The period during which students must undertake their professional year is from completion
of their examinations at the end of Level 2 (June), to immediately prior to commencing their final year (October the following year).
Duration: During this l5 month period, the normal university requirement is that students will
undertake 46 weeks (excluding holidays) of full-time employment in a relevant professional placement.
Pay: The University expects that the students will normally be paid during their professional
placement, at a salary agreed before the placement begins.
Unpaid Placements: In certain circumstances students may have to undertake an unpaid placement.
Some professional areas of direct relevance to social science undergraduates cannot regularly offer a paid placement. Notable examples of this include placements in education, health, social services, prisons, the probation service and some areas of the media. The University recognises the value of the work experience offered and therefore, where it is not possible for the employing organisation to offer a paid placement, the placement may be undertaken on an unpaid basis. The required duration of an unpaid placement is reduced to a minimum of 4 days per week worked over 30 weeks (excluding holidays) and the student will rely on their student loan and part time work to fund the placement year. Students undertaking an unpaid placement are only entitled to the full rate of maintenance grant if they are working for certain types of statutory or voluntary organisation. It is advisable to check your entitlement with your local authority before confirming your placement.
Changing from the 4 year to 3 year degree programme: Students registered for the four year
degree who decide they do not wish to take up the professional placement year should inform the placement tutor and programme director. If possible they should make this decision within the timetable for submitting final year option preferences. Proceeding from Level 2 directly into the final year of the programme is subject to meeting the requirements for progression between levels as set out in the programme regulations. Students who have not switched to the 3 year degree programme by the deadline for submitting final year options preferences are expected to continue to look for a placement over the summer period. Students may request a review of their situation after the first full week of September. If students have not found a suitable placement by this time, they may request transfer to the three-year programme and enter their final year at that point. However, students who transfer to Level 3 at this point will be offered only a limited selection of options and dissertation supervisors. From 1 October, students cannot be exempted from the professional placement year (except for reasons of mitigating circumstances) and if they do not find a placement that satisfies university requirements, they will be deemed to have failed the professional placement year. Students in this situation may be transferred to the three year programme when they return to the university for Level 3 at the beginning of the following academic year.
Changing from the 3 year to 4 year degree programme: Students registered for the three year
degree can transfer to the four year degree if they wish to undertake a placement year. They should make this decision by the beginning of level 2 and inform the placement tutor and programme director.
Placements outside the UK: Professional placements are usually based in the UK to facilitate visits
by a member of staff. Placements outside the UK are possible and in certain circumstances may offer work-related experiences not available with UK-based organisations. An overseas placement may also be appropriate to make use of existing language skills or if a student from overseas wishes to live and work in their home country for the placement year. All placements, in the UK or overseas, have to be approved by the placement tutor and must meet university requirements with regard to arrangements for supervision, placement visits and health and safety. A student who takes up an approved placement opportunity overseas is responsible for aspects of preparation that are specific to its location such as researching local employment law, visa requirements, arranging insurance and any health related precautions.
Students with disabilities or special needs who wish to undertake a placement are encouraged to
have an informal confidential discussion with the placement tutor and/or their personal tutor about any adjustments or specific forms of support that may be needed. There are some sources of funding to support disabled students on placement as outlined below:
1. Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)s are available to disabled students on full-time or part- time undergraduate higher education courses throughout the United Kingdom, and also to full-time or part-time postgraduates from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Allowances may be used to pay for services and equipment needed on professional year placements. Students are not eligible for DSAs when on full-year paid placements.
2. Access to Work funding may be available to disabled students who are employed during their professional year placements. The Employment Service (Jobcentre), through the Disability Employment Advisor, can make a grant towards the additional costs in starting a job that arise because of an individual’s disability. The main criteria for Access to Work funds is that the placement is paid. Students should apply as soon as they are given a start date and they will need written confirmation that they will be salaried. Whilst students are requested to apply as soon as possible, they must apply within 6 weeks of commencing the employment, as there is a ‘Mandatory cost share’. Applications made after 6 weeks of the employment commencing will incur ‘Mandatory costs’ to the employer, who may not wish to incur such costs for the short-term period of the placement. The amount of funding, available through the Access to Work scheme, will not be at the same level as those available to permanent posts. An information leaflet is available from the Jobcentre. Typically funding from the Access to Work scheme takes 6 months to process through the Jobcentre and this may prove a difficulty for both overseas and home students.
3. University funding for students with disabilities undertaking overseas placements. Some students with disabilities who take up an overseas placement may need adjustments that would not be financially available from the DSA. The University has established some funding to help support disabled Surrey students who take up a placement abroad and who otherwise would be ineligible for DSA or other support. This fund is distinct from a separate fund which is being established to help support the adjustment costs of disabled overseas students coming to Guildford who, under the Disability Discrimination Act, section 4, are entitled to support.