BSc Psychology / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Short Work Placement

Course unit fact file
Unit code PSYC22000
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Full year
Offered by Division of Psychology and Mental Health
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Students will produce a CV that is tailored to their actual work experience position or a suitable alternative and accompany this with an appropriate cover letter. Having secured a short work placement, students will fulfil the role expected by the placement organisation; completing a minimum of 30 hours’ work. The unit is assessed in two ways: Completion of working hours must be verified by a placement supervisor; students complete four online reflective blog entries including description and reflection on the work experience.

The unit also requires students to manage their time across the academic year to meet a target for collecting SEPS credits. Allow students to demonstrate professional courtesy and conduct in arranging and participating in research projects.

Aims

This unit aims to:

* Develop students’ appreciation of their own career related confidence and digital capabilities in readiness for their future post-graduation.  

* Provide students with the necessary skills to complete graduate level applications by exploring CV preparation, writing cover letters, practising interview and other recruitment techniques and reflecting on personal experiences related to employability. 

* In particular the unit will: Provide students with experience of applying for roles that are commensurate with the students’ level of education and skills (e.g. UG internship); 

* Provide students with opportunities for work experience by using the resources of the Faculty Work Experience Team and Careers Consultants. 

* Provide students with the opportunity to conduct a short work placement (minimum of 30 working hours) for course credits. 

* Develop reflection and digital capabilities.

* Provide support for students to create a web based, reflective blog to build or enhance confidence in using digital media for communication.

* Facilitate the academic and career counsellor staff-student interaction by supporting students with feedback on assignments and advice on employability related activities. 

* Encourage active engagement with careers consultants and the careers service resources. 

 

Teaching and learning methods

This unit will be taught via lectures and workshops, as well as completing the 30 hours of work experience.

 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the industry/business environment in which the employing company or organisation operates
  • Describe the purpose of their role within the context of the business and the contribution it makes to the organisation as a whole
  • Demonstrate career planning, including occupational awareness and judgement, awareness of work-related personal values, interests and skills, application and selection process skills

Intellectual skills

  • Apply their understanding to given work based tasks or problems
  • Apply relevant business skills and knowledge in a work context
  • Produce effective written documentation to meet the needs of the role
  • Evaluate their contribution and generate creative suggestions for continuation or development of the given project
  • Reflect on learning experiences and the fit with personal objectives and development both short and long term
  • Demonstrate use of initiative in dealing with issues/problems in the working environment
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of specific training undertaken (where appropriate)

Practical skills

Digital Capability

Use software tools to create online blog; Use software designed to produce attractive and engaging presentations; demonstrate information, image and media literacies; demonstrate awareness of safeguarding your digital identity; make effective use of digital communication and collaboration software. 

Professional/workplace skills 

Take direction and supervision and work within defined guidelines; Be able to confidently communicate skills and experiences in an application for work; apply outcome of reflection to revising action plans 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate ways of thinking and acting like a professional
  • Demonstrate professional communication skills (oral and written)
  • Demonstrate core sector competencies (vary depending on work placement)
  • Articulate competencies (vary depending on work placement) to evidence skills for future applications and  interviews
  • Demonstrate time management and the ability to prioritise effectively
  • Demonstrate self-motivation, independence/autonomy and adaptability
  • Demonstrate the ability to reflect on thoughts and feelings, to evaluate them and to learn from the process

Assessment methods

Curriculum Vitae - 30%

4 Reflective Blog Entries - 70%

Work Placement, 30 hours - Pass/Fail

Completion of Career Self Efficacy and Self-rated Digital Capability Scale - Pass/Fail

SEPS - Pass/Fail

Feedback methods

CV and Reflective Blogs are graded and feedback is provided by employability tutors and/or unit lead

 

Recommended reading

All materials provided on Bb or via weblinks. 

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 91

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Doron Cohen Unit coordinator

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