FA5023 - Industrial Placement Option

What will I learn on this module?

This Industrial Placement module offers you the opportunity to complete a placement/s in the fashion industry, gaining experience in one or more placements. This opportunity affords you a broad insight into how industry operates, its differing market levels and consumer profiles. Being part of a team in a Fashion Company means a greater understanding of design processes; product development and range planning, price points, production processes and lead times. Through your industrial work experience, you potentially gain an understanding of the importance of comparative product analysis; brand image, packaging and labelling, traditional/digital retail, marketing and promotion. By undertaking placement(s), you develop a greater awareness of fashion, contemporary culture and trends, and to be able to advance your visual and verbal communication skills. The experience of applying your academic studies in a real work environment will help you to develop a confident and professional attitude and to make informed decisions about your future fashion career. In the Industrial Placement module you will keep a digital diary of your learning and professional experience; documenting your new skills and knowledge acquired from your Placement(s).

During this period you are expected to complete a minimum requirement in industry. The weeks can run consecutively or as a series of individual placements throughout the module period. If you are unable to complete or secure an industrial work placement an alternative industry-focused placement brief will be set.

How will I learn on this module?

The skills you potentially learn and develop from Industrial Placement will be through being an integral part of a professional team. Working closely with your Line Manager and colleagues you will develop a greater understanding of company structures and processes. Undertaking a responsible role and working to critical deadlines will help you acquire time management skills and a professional attitude. Being part of a team will help you become more proficient in communicating your ideas, both visually and verbally. This type of experiential activity engages critical self-awareness and encourages reflection and autonomy.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

• The project is introduced at a briefing session, where it is fully explained and explored by both staff and students.
• The lead Module Tutor will be available to answer queries in relation to the module via email and opportunities to meet you virtually whilst on industrial placement. Further formal academic support is provided via information posted on the eLearning portal, which can be accessed on a range of devices.
• Administrative and Academic Placement Co-ordinators will aid your transition from university to the work place and offer support throughout your placement.
• During this period of study you will be required to maintain regular contact with Academic staff through telephone tutorials or visits.
• Learning materials for this module are available on the university eLearning Portal, including the module documentation, announcements, assessment information, presentations, online resources, reading list and timetable.
• Additional study skills materials and workshops, that are available through Skills Plus at http://nuweb2.northumbria.ac.uk/library/skillsplus/topics.html?l3-0.
• Academic Language Skills support is available for international students.
• Students requiring additional support are advised to contact their Guidance Tutor for advice, who will be able to refer them to the relevant university services for specialist support regarding their personal circumstances

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?

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:
7. Demonstrate a progressed knowledge of Fashion Industry Practice principles through the undertaking/completion of an industrial placement experience(s).

9. Understand the relationship between creative and commercial requirements through completion of your industrial placement.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
8. Produce and communicate a digital presentation of your placement(s) experience with distinguishable skill, application and presentation.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
2. Evaluate your own progress; exercise an enhanced level of self-criticism and analysis in respect of completing an industrial placement experience(s).

5. Demonstrate effective employability skills including organisational and project management through the completion of an Industrial placement(s).

How will I be assessed?

This is a Pass / Fail module.
• You will receive regular virtual formative feedback on your reflective digital diary through the course of the placement period from tutors.
• By collecting a variety of evidence/outputs from the learner via evidence of:
• Your Placement Employer(s) will be asked to provide documented feedback on your internship.
• Completion of your placement will be reviewed in conjunction with the MLOs to assess the learning achieved during your placement experience.
• Upon return to University you will communicate your experience in a presentation to your peers that captures your placement learning (100%). Tutors will assess the learner’s overall performance holistically with a pass/fail.
• Verbal feedback will be provided following summative assessment.
• If a student is unable to complete an industrial placement an alternative industry-focused project brief will be issued.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

During the placement year, students may complete a full 120 credit Industrial placement module or choose to study abroad for one Semester. If they select to do this, they must do this module Industrial Placement Option (60 credits) AND AD5007 Study Abroad (60 credits) to total 120 credits. These two 60 credit modules can be taken in any order over Semester 2 of 2nd year and Semester 1 of 3rd year to best suit the arrangements for the study abroad and placement.

The Industrial Placement Option (60 credits) module offers the student insight into how the fashion industry works and aims to inform and support the student’s individual career plan through their first-hand experience of one or more roles within the fashion workplace. Students are supported in their research, selection and application for role(s) that align with their career interests and aspirations, and for the duration of their Industrial Placement (IP).

The module supports the development of Industry specific skills, employability skills, and enables the student to understand what it means to be a fashion professional, and to build their own professional network.

The skills acquired during the IP will underpin the remainder of the students’ study at Levels 5 and 6, offer inspiration for their creative practice, and help them prepare for employment, self-employment or post-graduate study.

Course info

UCAS Code W230

Credits 60

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years with placement

Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

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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