Guidance for Student Placements on Taught Programmes

Introduction   

The aim of these guidelines is to ensure that University of Bristol placement students are able to achieve intended learning outcomes appropriate to their level of study, that risks and potential mitigations have been considered, and that placements comply with quality guidance issued by regulatory bodies. These guidelines outline the minimum requirements expected, and they are intended to supplement rather than to replace school and faculty placement guidelines, which may be more specific.    

Please note that further considerations are required for student visa holders, and advice should be sought from Student Visas.     

Definition of terms   

Please note that these guidelines relate to taught programmes only.  In these guidelines, work-based and placement learning refers to learning that is a required or recommended part of a higher education programme, achieved outside the University through student involvement in workplace environments. Placements usually form part of assessed work, either through the demonstration of reflective practice and appropriate skills centred learning outcomes or by contributing towards a dissertation or project unit. The University is integrally involved in all assisted and approved placements, regardless of duration, whether they are arranged by the University or by the student.   

Student placements are of various types:   

  • Work/industrial placements: to gain work/commercial/industrial experience relevant to the programme of study. These include programmes with a Year in Industry/Professional placement in the UK, UK work placements and work placements elsewhere abroad.   
  • Professional practice placements: to develop the practical skills and competencies associated with a profession, including its ethical practices and procedures, through work shadowing and working alongside qualified professionals in the UK and throughout the world. 

These guidelines do not refer to the following which are covered by existing guidelines elsewhere: 

  • Study placements: study at other institutions as part of a University programme. These include study abroad programmes and study placements elsewhere abroad. These are managed by the Bristol Abroad
  • Periods of paid work or study undertaken within the University of Bristol (by students of the University).
  • Voluntary work that does not form part of an academic programme at the University.
  • Educational partnerships, where the learning outcomes for a programme or unit are dependent on a particular collaborating partner.
  • Industrial based projects, where a project is completed in collaboration with an industrial partner which may form part of an assessed unit or  programme but the student is not employed there.

Placement learning and learning outcomes   

Placement learning comes about through students’ engagement with experiences that they find interesting, varied and somewhat challenging; it is facilitated by supportive environments where students feel valued. Students are most likely to engage when they have their own work or project and when there is ample supervision initially, but more autonomy as they become experienced. Under such circumstances, they are able to develop academically, professionally and personally. Learning outcomes can include the acquisition of skills and competences specific to a discipline or profession, more general work-related and employability skills (time management, team working, communications skills etc.) and changed personal attitudes and behaviours.     

Where the placement learning is a required part of a programme of study, the university requires that this is set up as a unit/part of a unit, so that intended learning outcomes are clearly identified, that they are coherent with and contribute to the overall aims of that programme and are assessed appropriately.  

Responsibilities of stakeholders

Before the placement

  • Ensure that the placement is set up as a unit, or part of a unit, and that this unit is fully approved;
  • Provide a Placement Agreement and ensure that this is put in place and signed by all parties. The Placement Agreement must stipulate roles and responsibilities using a standard template with all providers while the student is on placement (placement organisers can liaise with the Industrial Liaison Office (ILO) and the Professional Liaison Network (PLN) to access existing Placement Agreement templates);
  • Appoint a placement organiser to ensure that the procedures set out in these guidelines are applied to each placement;
  • Establish that the placement content will fulfil the student’s learning needs, and is in alignment with the requirements of any professional, statutory or regulatory body (PSRB);
  • Agree intended learning outcomes with the placement provider;
  • Ensure any marks awarded for placement learning are transferable and correlate to the overall marking structure of the student’s programme;
  • Ensure the facilities available for students, and facilities specifically available for students who have support requirements due to a disability, are of an appropriate standard.
  • Ensure students are placed in an environment where they are treated equally, regardless of nationality, race, disability etc.;
  • Implement a risk-based procedure to assess the health and safety procedures in force at the placement as regards the student;
  • Be aware of, and ensure that students and placement providers are aware of, the health and safety issues surrounding placements and the necessity for appropriate insurance cover;
  • Ensure that placement providers are aware of the University's student intellectual property (IP) policy at the point of establishing the placement to ensure compliance. The policy provides that students registered with the University own the IP they create. If the placement provider is unable to proceed with the placement on the basis of the University’s student IP policy, then the University must seek an assignment of IP agreement from the student. The University must make the placement provider aware that the student will still own the IP of any written work created from the placement, in line with the student agreement;
  • Build and maintain constructive relationships with placement providers;
  • Provide a school handbook of information for placement providers and students.
  • Provide a briefing for the student before the placement commences to include health and safety and any information provided by the placement provider. The briefing should also highlighting the importance of professionalism, ethical engagement, constructive teamwork and punctuality;
  • Organise and fund/pay for any Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or other checks (where appropriate); 
  • Strongly encourage students who require support for a disability to declare their disability in good time, so that an appropriate placement and appropriate support can be put in place where possible;
  • Ensure that the student is aware how to access academic and wellbeing support whilst on placement.
  • Ensure that they have signed up to a Placement Agreement with the University and the student;
  • Agree a start date and pattern of work with the student, and assist the student to complete an induction;
  • Inform the University in sufficient time prior to the start of the placement if a DBS or other check is required;
  • Provide a main point of contact(s) within the organisation for the day-to-day supervision of the student;
  • Agree to the student IP policy. If the placement provider is not able to do this then an IP assignment may be required from the Student if the placement is to progress;
  • Acknowledge and agree that the University is not responsible for the way in which the student carries out work during the placement and accepts that the University shall have no liability to the placement provider for acts or omissions of the student during the course of and as a result of the placement.
  • Ensure that they have signed a Placement Agreement with the placement provider (the Placement Agreement will be provided by the University);
  • Agree a start date and pattern of work with the placement provider;
  • Engage with the induction process as organised by the placement provider;
  • Agree to the following in relation to intellectual property (IP):
    • That background IP required  for the purpose of the placement may be disclosed. Background IP will continue to be owned by the person who introduced it. Background IP may be shared for the  purpose of the placement by way of a non-exclusive licence (this will be stipulated in the Placement Agreement).
    • The student may be required to enter into an IP assignment in respect of any new IP (Arising IP) generated during the placement. This must be made clear to the student by the University in the Placement Agreement.
    • If an IP assignment is not required, the student will own any new IP they create during the course of the placement, in line with the University’s Student IP Policy.
    • IP rights in the student’s written work shall be owned by the student subject to any rights UoB may have under the Student Agreement.

During the placement

  • Contact the placement provider and the student during the placement to check on progress and any issues or problems that may have arisen, taking reasonable steps to resolve any problems or issues during the placement; 
  • Ensure that any assessment of students carried out by the placement provider adheres to the approved assessment methods for the programme, and that the placement provider has the capability and expertise to conduct any assessment;
  • Assess the student on placement based coursework undertaken by the student;
  • Keep the placement provider informed of any significant changes in the University’s policies, systems, operation, contact details or anything else that might impact on the work placement.
  • Provide a placement that meets the minimum requirements of the programme and confirm this is completed in writing to the University;
  • Inform the University of any changes to the nature of the placement activities or issues with the student that arise that may affect the student’s ability to complete the assessment related to the placement;
  • Behave in a professional and courteous manner and treat the student with respect whilst they are engaged in placement working; 
  • Provide the student with an opportunity to contribute positively to the placement setting and sufficient learning opportunities to allow the student to complete the assessment requirements of the unit;
  • Keep the University informed of any significant changes in the organisation’s policies, systems, operation, contact details or anything else that might impact on a student’s placement; 
  • Maintain appropriate insurance throughout the placement period, including but not limited to employers’ liability cover. If requested by the University in writing, the placement provider will provide evidence of the insurance to the University; 
  • Inform the student of all health and safety policies/procedures that apply to their particular placement activities. Be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the student while they are on placement;   
  • Give consideration to students who have support requirements due to a disability;
  • Ensure that the personal data and sensitive personal data (if any) pertaining to the student shall be processed in accordance with all applicable laws.
  • Manage learning and professional relationships while on placement and keep a record of progress and achievements;
  • Inform the University and/or Personal Tutor of contact details while on placement and those of the supervisor or line manager;
  • Adhere to the placement provider's policies, rules and regulations advised from time to time and behave in a professional and courteous manner as a representative of the University engaged in placement working;
  • Alert the placement provider and the University of any problems or other issues that might adversely affect the success of the placement;
  • Keep a record of all work hours, and complete required information by due dates providing details to the University;
  • Inform the placement provider and the University of any absence from agreed arrangements or expectations. In the case of sickness absence, a medical certificate may be required; 
  • Take reasonable care of own and others health and safety and follow the reasonable instructions of the placement provider at all times; 
  • Keep the placement provider’s data and sensitive or confidential information confidential (including any information relating to clients of the placement provider) in accordance with the relevant policies.

After the placement

  • Seek feedback on completion of the placement from student and placement provider;
  • Undertake quality assurance review of the placement and placement unit as part of the Annual Programme Review (APR);
  • Confirm outcomes of any assessment linked to the placement;
  • Implement any improvements to the placements scheme, as necessary.
  • Confirm completion of the placement in writing to the University;
  • The placement provider shall be solely responsible at its own expense for the filing and prosecution of any applications for intellectual property rights which it deems necessary with respect to any such intellectual property, any terms which either expressly or impliedly are intended to survive expiry or termination shall survive termination or expiry. 
  • Ensure completion of all assessment linked to the placement.

Further guidance for stakeholders: