Industrial Studies

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand the importance of intellectual property rights and confidentiality issues related to industrial project work
• Demonstrate an understanding of the business practices and environment of the host company selected for your placement
• Demonstrate an understanding of role within the work organisation
• Evaluate health and safety risks associated with industrial work and identify procedures to keep them to an acceptable minimum
• Work successfully as a member of a diverse team

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• A deeper understanding of the relevance of the material studied in your degree to a successful career in industry
• Experience of applying your academic skills and knowledge to solving real problems in industry

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify, develop and demonstrate new technical and management skills acquired from host company
• Apply design and technical skills to analyse and provide solutions to real problems in industry
• Relate the academic knowledge and skills acquired in your studies to real industrial problems

Throughout the placement each student is contracted to their host organisation but remain enrolled on their university degree. The nature of the work undertaken by our students on placement is managed by the host organisation but we do ask that the following key aspects of the placement are recognised and accommodated.

(a) We are looking for placements on which our students work in a safe, supervised environment on activities that will use and develop their academic skills related to their degree programme.

(b) The students need to have the opportunity to demonstrate initiative and their ability to apply their knowledge and develop research and technical skills in the placement environment.

(c) The placement is assessed and contributes directly to their degree. Successful completion of the placement and assessments will mean that the title of the degree awarded will be appended ‘with Industrial Studies’.

Teaching and learning methods

An Introduction session will be held at the beginning of semester one in Part 3 for students who are planning to go on a placement at the next academic year. Applicants will be required to attend an interview training workshop and CV clinic with the Careers Hub or Module Leader. These activities aim to improve the students’ skills in placement application. A briefing session will also be held at the end of semester two, prior to the start of the placement.

After the students have started the placement. The day-to-day supervision and direction of the project is carried out by a designated Industrial Supervisor at the collaborating organisation for the duration of the placement. The Industrial Studies programme is an opportunity to demonstrate their independence working in a professional environment (while enrolled), which they will be receiving more guidance and supervision from their host line manager. However, we also expect at least monthly meeting/engagement throughout their placement with their Module Leader and/or academic supervisor for a brief update of their placement. The meeting could take place by email, phone call, Skype or in person depending on distance and availability. Additionally, they can contact their personal tutor and/or a Senior Tutor as required.

Assessment strategy

To evidence fulfilment of the learning outcomes, students are required to complete an end of placement report (~10,000 words) of their industrial experience. To support this report, students must also complete monthly summaries of their work progress by emailing monthly report to their respective industrial line manager and Industrial Studies module leader.

If a student fails the industrial placement, a referral assessment will be implemented by re-submitting the final placement report. The monthly report mark will not be carried over in the referral assessment.

If a student fails the referral assessment, the student will go on to complete the final year of their degree without earning the 'with Industrial Studies' title. There is no repeat opportunity for this module.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.