What will I learn on this module?
The Industrial Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module which is available on degree courses which include a Industrial Placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year of Industrial Placement at an approved placement partner. This broadens your overall experience of learning by embedding your current and future learning of your discipline within a regimented and target-oriented work environment. The course of Industrial Placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host, the student, and the home University (Northumbria). Your Industrial Placement year will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. It will not count towards your final degree classification but, if you pass, it is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Industrial Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format – “Degree title (with Industrial Placement Year)”.
How will I learn on this module?
Varies according to placement.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Pre-departure: students attend relevant presentations and meet with Placement Tutor / Personal Tutor / Faculty staff to satisfy their specific requirements.
On placement: Support will be provided by the host. Additionally, the Personal Tutor/Placement Tutor/Faculty staff will maintain contact with the student throughout the Industrial Placement.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• LO1.To acquire a broader, potentially international and interculturally informed understanding of their subject discipline, within the context of the requirements of a work environment.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• LO2 To provide students with the opportunity to record and reflect on their professional skills development whilst on industrial placement.
• LO 3To provide students with guidance on what types of scientific and transferrable skills are important in an industrial placement and thus important to future employment.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• LO 4 Act in a professional manner in a wide range of situations, often complex and demanding in nature; report and reflect on the skills developed.
• LO 5 Appreciate the importance of professional behaviours in an industrial environment, particularly legal, commercial, regulatory, and interdisciplinary communication skills.
• LO 6 Record and reflect on their professional development in terms of employability skills and identify any strengths or weaknesses in their professional development.
How will I be assessed?
1. Formative Assessment process: Students discuss the report with their supervisor during the visits.
Students can submit a draft of their report (subject to them completing confidentiality processes in time) to their supervisor before final submission.
2. Summative Assessment process: Assessment of this assignment has two components:
1. Your performance in carrying out your year in industry project – this is assessed by your industrial supervisor.
2. Your research report – this is assessed by your industrial and academic supervisors using the criteria shown in the attached guidelines. Where the academic assessor and supervisor disagree about the merit of the report, the coordinator will commission further independent assessors and/or arbitrate.
3. Feedback process: Varies according to host.
Pre-requisite(s)
• Attend pre-departure briefings and training workshops as required.
• Successful completion of Levels 4/5
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Host companies provide placement students with relevant professional experience, under supervision in vocational environments. Undertaking a placement, should allow students to use their existing academic knowledge, encourage them in developing professional attitudes, personal and key skills, and should improve their future employability. Students are normally visited at least during the year by appropriate academic tutors who monitor student performance. The placement is assessed through a written placement report, and also an employer’s report.
Course info
UCAS Code MF94
Credits 120
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Applied Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025 or September 2026
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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