Sandwich - Year of Professional Experience

Overview

The Professional Experience Year is a compulsory part of the academic programme for students on seven of our degree courses:

BSc/BEng in Computer Sicence including Professional Experience
MEng in Computer Science including Professional Experience
BEng/MEng in Electronic & Software Engineering including Professional Experience
BSc Business Information Technology including Professional Experience
BSc Computing and Information Technology including Professional Experience

Learning Objectives

The overall aim of the industrial placement period is to provide the student with experience in computing which complements the academic study in the University and contributes to their development as a fully educated computer scientist or information technologist.

Precise objectives to achieve this aim vary from placement to placement. Ideally the students should:
Understand the operation of industrial, commercial or government service organisations and the nature and importance of the computing dimension within them.
Understand the systems of communication, control and responsibility within the organisation.
Understand the systems of software quality control within the organisation.
Acquire experience of working with other people at all levels.
Have an appreciation of the organisational and administrative principles of running a business, particularly in the areas of financial control, costing and marketing (where appropriate and possible).
Further develop their personal communication skills; good use of language, accurate writing and appropriate style and manner are required.
Learn how they can best contribute to the organisation and develop their potential and self-management; appropriate application of initiative should be encouraged.
Gain experience in carrying out computing tasks and thus acquire confidence in applying their knowledge to the solution of real problems; in keeping with this, they should be given progressively increasing responsibility.

Understandably, students on placement will engage in widely differing activities, However, the great majority of placements allow achievement of the objectives above to a greater or lesser extent. Flexibility in arranging the placement programme is an essential requirement of many employers and the University recognises this, aiming for the maximum benefit to student and employer.

Skills

This module provides an opportunity to exercise aspects of the following QCA Key Skills (at proficiency Level 4): Communication, ICT Improving Own Learning and Performance, Problem Solving, Business Awareness, Project Management, Team Work.

Assessment

Students must, unless exempt spend the year preceding their Level 3 year in obtaining professional experience in a manner approved by the Placement Team.

The placement normally lasts for a period of twelve months, during which time the student is a full employee and subject to all the requirements of the employer. Students must complete a minimum 9 month placement to satisfy University requirements.