Professional Internship

Overview

The Professional Internship is a compulsory part of the academic programme.

Learning Objectives

The overall aim of the professional internship is to provide the student with experience in industry which complements the academic study in the University and contributes to their development.

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
• Understand the systems of communication, control and responsibility 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
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Applicants have the opportunity to complete a professional internship of up to 12 months as part of their studies on this course. Using the schools’ links to numerous related companies, many with international connections, students will be encouraged to apply and supported through the process.

Assessment

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