School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Directorate of Engineering

Placement Handbook 2021-2022

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Contents

Part 1: Introduction............................................................................................................................. 3

Part 2: Pre-Placement Information ..................................................................................................... 6

2.1 The Application Process ........................................................................................................... 6

2.2 Placement duration.................................................................................................................. 8

2.3 International student requirements ......................................................................................... 8

2.4 Placements outside the UK ..................................................................................................... 9

2.5 Placements and disability ....................................................................................................... 12

Part 3: Completing your Placement .................................................................................................. 13

3.1 Degree weighting ................................................................................................................... 13

3.2 Module specification .............................................................................................................. 13

3.3 Assessments ........................................................................................................................... 14

3.4 Using your placement towards professional qualifications .................................................... 14

3.5 Handling issues and where to find help ................................................................................. 14

3.6 Key contacts ........................................................................................................................... 15

1.7 Deadlines and key dates......................................................................................................... 16

3.8 Frequently asked questions ................................................................................................... 17

3.9 Useful Web Resources ........................................................................................................... 20

Disclaimer: The information in this document was correct at the time of publication and is subject to change (particularly
where it relates to financial or international matters). It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they have
identified and addressed all the relevant issues in relation to their own placement.

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Part 1: Introduction

This handbook refers to optional placements between second and third years of undergraduate
programmes for students on full-time courses in eligible subject areas within the Directorate of
Engineering in the School of Science, Engineering and Environment.

The industrial placement is a module with a value of 60 credits.

Students who successfully complete the module will be eligible to receive a degree endorsed as
including an industrial placement. The school recommends the placement to students who do not
have previous relevant industry experience.

This handbook acts as a guide to students undertaking the module, and covers the following aspects
of the placement:

• Methods of finding a placement

• Steps to follow once a placement has been found
• Using the placement towards gaining a professional qualification
• How the placement is assessed
• Support and procedures to be followed
• Important general information to be noted

Purpose of the placement

The industrial placement period is intended to provide the student with a broad understanding of
the professional workplace and the skills required to effectively operate within it. It also provides an
opportunity for students to work towards the professional development programmes of the relevant
professional institutions. In particular students should:

• Gain an insight and understanding of the industry, organisations, and professions appropriate
to the particular programme.
• Gain an insight and understanding of technical practices and management systems used
within the industry.
• Gain practical experience.
• Develop practical skills in relation to: interpersonal and problem solving skills; research and
reporting skills; and professional competencies.

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 • Establish the link between academic theory and practice.
• Apply previous academic learning to an industrial situation and bring relevant experience
back to the final year at University.
• Develop independent learning.
• Prepare for post-graduation employment and enhance career development.

Benefits to students:

• Enhanced employability: Give employers the confidence of knowing that you have relevant
work experience; proving your interest, reliability and ability to cope in that environment.
Good performance during your placement can lead to an offer of employment after you
graduate. Some organisations may even offer to sponsor students in their final year of study
as part of their graduate employment package.

• Networking opportunities: Create invaluable opportunities to make contacts in your chosen

industry, the chance to impress your colleagues and improve your chances of success if you
apply for a graduate job.

• Skill development: Learn new skills and develop those you have already attained through
your studies. Students’ organisational and time management skills are inevitably improved by
the disciplines imposed during an Industrial Placement.

• Improved grades: Students that have taken a work placement often achieve higher grades in
their final year of study due to the practical experience.

Benefits to employers:

• Cost-effective recruitment: Placements give you the opportunity to work with potential
employees and assess the way they fit into your organisation.

• Short-term option: Without the commitment of a permanent member of staff, you can
recruit for specialist projects, as needed.

• Manage expectations: If you employ the student after graduation, the student should know
what to expect from the role.
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 • Staff development: Enhance your team’s management skills by training and supervising a
placement student.

• Networking opportunities: Build links with our University and your organisation would gain
access to a pool of future graduates.

• Latest professional skills: Your organisation can benefit from students trained with up-to-
date knowledge and skills.

• Develop the future workforce: You can help to train future graduates in a way that benefits
your organisation – ensuring that the skills you need are available when you need more staff.

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Part 2: Pre-Placement Information

2.1 The Application Process

Searching for a placement

The University often receives notifications directly from companies who are offering placement
opportunities. All opportunities received will be posted on Salford Advantage
(https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/) and listed on the Employability Bulletin. You may also wish to
make speculative applications to relevant companies, by sending a covering letter and CV which you
adapt for each application. You should also discuss your plans with your Placement Tutor who may
also have some advice specific for your subject area.

Some organisations seeking placement students give lunchtime presentations within the School and
this is a good opportunity to talk to potential employers directly. Details of these presentations will
be posted on Blackboard. The University’s Careers and Enterprise Service can also be an important
source of help both in finding placements and in developing job-seeking skills.

Although the University will offer assistance in helping you find a suitable placement, it cannot
guarantee that one will be available. If you cannot obtain a placement you will still be able to
complete your degree on a three-year full-time basis.

Applications

Obtaining a suitable post is an important part of the placement experience. The ability to write a
good CV and good interview techniques are useful skills in the world of work.

Once you have found a placement opportunity that interests you, the Careers & Employability team
can help you to market yourself to potential placement providers. They offer help with all parts of
the process including: creating your CV; completing application forms; tackling psychometric tests;
and preparing for interviews.

Visit the hub for more information about applying for jobs:

Careers and Enterprise Hub

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Book workshops and appointments through Advantage:

https://www.salford.ac.uk/askus/work-and-careers/career-events

Interviews

Interviews should be taken seriously and preparation is important. Try to carry out some research
into potential employers: find out as much as possible about the kind of work they do and consider
how you might contribute to it. Most organisations now have their own websites and these are a
useful place to start.

Think also about how you will present yourself. Dress appropriately and arrive punctually for the
interview. Be enthusiastic but not overbearing. Good interview technique develops with practice so
do not be too disappointed if you are not successful at first. Try to learn from the experience and
use it to improve next time. Use the interview to find out more about the employing organisation.
For example, does it have experience in providing training for the professional development schemes
of the relevant institutions?

The University Careers and Enterprise Team can help you in preparing for interviews; once you have
an interview confirmed they will be happy to provide a mock interview. Contact
careers&enterprise@salford.ac.uk to enquire about this service.

Employment offers

In some instances, the student is informed of the result of the interview immediately, but often there
is a delay before the employer makes a decision. A verbal offer is sometimes made but this would
normally be followed by a formal letter, confirming salary, working hours, location, and the name of
the person you will report to, etc. Any letter from an employer, whether offering employment or not,
should receive an early reply as a matter of courtesy. Failure to accept or decline an offer within a
reasonable time, for any reason whatsoever, could result not only in the loss of your own training
opportunity but could also jeopardise the placing of another student. Any offer must be given serious
consideration and any doubts about accepting an offer should be discussed with the Placement
Tutor.

The School Office must be informed immediately when the result of an interview is known, by
contacting: SEE-placement-industry@salford.ac.uk

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2.2 Placement duration

Placements should be between 9-12 months in order to meet the criteria for a degree with an
industrial placement. It should be with a company, professional practice, or other organisation that
can provide professional experience within the engineering industry. If you have any doubts as to the
suitability of a placement you are offered, you should discuss the matter with the placement tutor.
There may be circumstances in which it does not prove possible to work for the complete 12-months,
e.g. in case of illness or the employer going out of business. If you find yourself in this position you
should discuss the matter with your Placement Tutor; each case will be considered individually.

Sometimes students are given the opportunity to work with more than one company or organisation
during their placement. If you wish to do this, you should discuss it with your Placement Tutor each
case will be considered individually.

You should also keep the University informed of any changes of employer, contact details, etc.

2.3 International student requirements

Tier 4 visa holders are able to complete a placement if it is an assessed and integral part of their
course. As your sponsor, the University will need to report the details of your placement to the Home
Office and you must continue to comply with the University’s Attendance Monitoring policy.
If you originally applied to study on a course without a placement but later change to the version of
the course which includes a placement, your visa will not cover you for the duration. Before you
can transfer to the placement version of your programme, you must apply for a new Tier 4
visa. You can apply for this visa inside the UK, but you must apply for this visa extension no more
than three months before your placement.
It is vital that you keep the University informed of any changes to your programme of study. Keeping
us informed will help us to ensure that your placement meets the terms of your sponsorship. If you
would like to undertake a work or study placement between your second and third years of study,
please inform the following departments:

• The Placement and Employability Co-ordinator: SEE-Placements-industry@salford.ac.uk

• The University’s Home Office Compliance team: homeofficecompliance@salford.ac.uk

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While on placement, you will need to continue to submit an Attendance Monitoring Record Form
(AMRF) to the University. This should be signed by your Placement Supervisor, scanned, and emailed
to your School office on a weekly basis.

For the latest information regarding this procedure, please see:

http://www.salford.ac.uk/askus/immigration-visas/attendancemonitoring

2.4 Placements outside the UK

Placements outside the UK can be considered; however, preparing for overseas placements will
involve more complex paperwork so applications should be started much sooner. This information is
intended as guidance only and should not be considered a comprehensive list.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office website

This is useful for health and security advice and should be thoroughly researched before your
placement commences: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-
office

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website can give up-to-date information about a wide
variety of subjects relating to the country you are travelling to, including: the current political
situations; practical transport planning; potential health concerns; and details of the British Embassy.
You should register with the FCO so they have a record of whom and where you are in the event of
a regional emergency. This will allow the FCO to contact or find you quickly and provide immediate
advice.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/travel-abroad/

https://www.gov.uk/search?q=travel+safe/

Visas

The following questions should be considered:

- Do I need a visa?
- How do I get a visa?
- How much will it cost?
- How long will it take to get a visa?

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This needs looking into as soon as your placement is confirmed as it can be a complicated and time
consuming process. Check the Government/Embassy websites of the country you are travelling to
for advice. Find out how much it costs and how long it takes to issue.

Please note: if you do not hold a British passport, getting a visa from within the UK may be more
complicated and time-consuming. If you are an International student, contact the University’s Home
Office Compliance team for advice: homeofficecompliance@salford.ac.uk

Insurance

Ensure you buy a good travel insurance policy to cover the entire period you will be away. Make sure
the policy includes repatriation costs and specifically covers the activities you will be doing while on
placement, e.g. working as a volunteer, working with animals, working in remote locations, diving,
etc. (i.e. anything and everything outside the normal travel insurance-type cover). An insurance policy
such as this must be bought in addition to the liability & indemnity cover we have asked the
placement provider for. These are two different aspects of insurance and must be used in conjunction
with one another.

Medical Provision

Once your placement is arranged please visit your doctor as soon as possible and arrange to get the
appropriate vaccinations for the country you are going to (make sure you think about the cost and
timing of any vaccinations you may need).

Identify specific health issues which might be evident in your placement and take measures to plan
for and address each. For example, make a good medical pack with sufficient supplies and
appropriate medicines for all common eventualities, e.g. mosquito lotions, rehydration solutions, etc.
If you are in need of prescription medication, ensure you have a sufficient amount to last the duration
of the placement; take spare medication and think about where you might buy this locally. You should
also ensure that any medication is legal in the places you plan to visit and carry documentation to
demonstrate that your medication is prescribed by a doctor.

Ensure you have adequate dental insurance; discuss the level of cover provided by your policy with
the supplier and if neccessary arrange specific higher- level cover. This is particularly important for
placements in the USA, because dental insurance from most providers will not cover you for any
procedure past a check-up. Check the information available on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
website.
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Finances

Before you go, investigate all possible sources of funding so you have a really accurate idea of how
much you will have, e.g. Student Finance, Erasmus funding, British Council funding, part-time work
before you go, and savings etc. Ask yourself if you have enough money.

Research how much the cost of living in your placement country is and forecast how much you would
spend considering the length of time you will be there. Make a budget and keep to it.

Before you go, make a ‘back-up plan’ in case you find you have spent too much or suddenly need
funds you hadn’t planned for. Put money aside in a UK account to be transferred to you in case of
unforeseen circumstances. Have you got, or are you going to have, a regular supply of finance
available whilst you are there? How will you pay the monthly bills and other expenses? Think about
the practicalities of getting hold of this money and keeping it safe. What are you going to do regarding
‘emergency’ funds?

For advice about managing your money and a budget calculator, please see the University’s Money
Matters webpage: http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/money

Cultural Awareness

Research the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of the country you are going to before you leave. It is important to
understand the basics of the culture and local customs of the country, to be polite, and not attract
problems by acting or speaking in a way that might offend people (even if unwittingly). This is
particularly true in some devoutly religious countries.

Emergency/Incident Planning

In all likelihood your placement will be one of the best periods of your life and will present you with
fantastic opportunities and experiences, but it is important to make preparations for unforeseen
events which could have the potential to become very stressful and difficult situations.

Make photocopies of all your important documents, e.g. passport, tickets, insurance policy, etc.,
before you go and keep them safe and separate from the documents themselves once you are on
placement. It is much easier to get your passport replaced if the embassy or local government offices
can view copies of your documents.

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Buy yourself a mobile with a local sim card so you can get in touch with others if needed. However,
be aware that mobile signal may not be available in some places. Take paper copies of all important
contact numbers and details so that you are not reliant on your mobile working if you need to get
hold of somebody.

Think about things like registering with a local doctor if you can. Do you need any dental treatment
before you go? It will be much less stressful for you if you have addressed these sorts of questions in
advance, rather than trying to sort them out when something goes wrong.

Please register with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) before you travel:

https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/travel-abroad/

https://www.gov.uk/search?q=travel+safe/

2.5 Placements and disability

If you are currently studying with a Reasonable Adjustment Plan and intend to undertake an
integrated work placement, you will be asked to complete an additional questionnaire to ensure you
are supported on placement, you may be asked to meet with a Disability Advisor. In this meeting,
you will discuss the type of work you will be doing on placement and recommendations will be made
to help you. During that discussion, where necessary, the Disability Advisor may recommend that you
would benefit from declaring your disability.

Whilst you are encouraged to fully disclose your needs to your placement provider to get the best
possible experience you can, the University will usually ask your permission before sharing such
information. Where there is a Health and Safety risk, disclosure is always advised.

For more information about this subject, please see the webpage below: Disability and Learner
Support Hub

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Part 3: Completing your Placement

3.1 Degree weighting

The placement module carries a University rating of 60 credits. The assessment of the placement
year does not contribute to your final degree classification; however, you must pass the module to
be awarded a degree with industrial placement.

3.2 Module specification

The overall aims and learning outcomes of the module as set out in the module specification are
outlined below.

Aims

1. To educate students into the workplace environment and to develop an appreciation of

their particular organisation.
2. To support the academic programme of study by applying techniques and knowledge
acquired during their programme of study.
3. To inculcate good working practices into the skills set of the students.
4. To give students the opportunity to practise their key skills such as personal communication,
time management and team working.
5. To allow the students to further develop their sense of maturity, confidence and responsibility
through access to a range of learning opportunities not available in an academic environment.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion the student will be able to:

1. Explain how their placement organisation works and how their role contributes to it.
2. Apply subject-specific skills to solve problems in a workplace.
3. Communicate effectively with others about their work.
4. Work with others: Plan and execute activities in a work team.
5. Manage their time and their own learning including the use of time management,
interpersonal and organisational skills
6. Reflect on, analyse and discuss their performance and development

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3.3 Assessments

Assessment is made on the basis of the following:

• Placement Visit Report (completed by the Visiting Tutor)

• Placement Provider’s Report (completed by the Placement Provider)
• Student’s log book (according to company policy)
• 15-minute Presentation about the work carried out on your placement followed by 10 minute
Q&A session (25% weighting)
• Submission of a Portfolio/Placement Report detailing all the work you have been involved
with whilst on placement – Turnitin submission is usually early October, approx. 5000 words
minimum excluding figures, tables etc (75% weighting)

The University is expanding its resources available to off-campus learners. A large number of
electronic books can also be accessed. Please see the web page at
http://www.salford.ac.uk/library/use for further details of library resources.

3.4 Using your placement towards professional qualifications

Using your placement experience towards a professional qualification is generally possible, however
it will largely depend upon the type of work you have been involved with during the placement and
also the level of support received from the placement provider. Discuss on an individual basis with
your Placement Tutor and your industrial supervisor.

3.5 Handling issues and where to find help

During your placement, please continue to check your University emails and log in to Blackboard
on a regular basis. The University will always use these as a first point of contact and you will risk
missing important information if you do not.

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Once you are out on placement, please make contact periodically to let us know that you are
progressing well. The Placement Tutor, or an assigned Visit Tutor, will be in touch to arrange a visit.
If this is not possible, telephone or online discussions may be arranged as an alternative. This is a
good opportunity to identify issues but please do not wait until this time if you have concerns.

Discussing the terms of your placement before you start will ensure that all parties know what is
expected of them. If you have any questions or concerns, please try to resolve them at first instance
with your Supervisor/Line Manager at your placement. Otherwise, assistance is available from your
Placement Tutor. If you need to make a complaint, your Placement Tutor will be your point of contact
within the University.

In the event of an emergency, where you need to contact someone outside of usual working hours
at the University, please contact:

University Security (available 24/7)

Tel: +44 (0)161 295 3333

3.6 Key contacts

It is important you remain in contact with the University during your placement and you must contact
the Placement Coordinator on SEE-Placements-industry@salford.ac.uk (or the Placement Tutor) as
soon as you accept a placement to provide initial details. Make sure that the forms are fully
completed including details such as postcodes, telephone numbers and e-mail for yourself and your
supervisor. Please inform the school immediately if you change location e.g. by moving to a branch
office or working on client premises.

a. Placement Tutor

Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering - UK Dr Farhad Zahedi f.zahedi@salford.ac.uk

Placements
Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering - Dr Abubakar Abbas a.kadir@salford.ac.uk
International Placements
Civil Engineering Dr Alireza Ahangar-Asr a.ahangarasr@salford.ac.uk

b. Placement Co-ordinator

The Placement Co-ordinators are based in the school office (Room 132) in Newton Building, and can
be contacted on 0161 295 5777 / 0161 295 3173 or by
email at SEE-placements-industry@salford.ac.uk.

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c. Visiting Tutor

Your Placement Tutor will be your main academic support and point of contact during the placement.
In addition to your Placement Tutor, you may also be assigned a Visiting Tutor, who may carry out
your placement visit as an alternative to your Placement Tutor.

d. Training Supervisor

On the industry side each company or professional practice will manage the placement in its own
way. You can expect to be allocated to a training supervisor or mentor who will be based at your
place of work and will normally be a senior member of the project/office team. He or she will be
responsible for your training and assessment whilst on placement. If lines of responsibility are not
made clear during the first few days of your placement you should ask for clarification.

1.7 Deadlines and key dates

Telephone contact
Your visiting tutor will make telephone contact during within the first few months but please take
the initiative and make contact yourself if you do not hear anything. The main purpose of this contact
is to ensure you have settled into your placement and are receiving satisfactory training. Your tutor
will also speak to your placement supervisor to make sure that all is well from the employer
perspective. If any issues need resolving it may be appropriate to arrange an early face-to-face
meeting.

Placement visit

Your visiting tutor will visit you at your place of work. If you wish the visit to take place at a particular
time please let your visiting tutor know. Generally, the most effective way of conducting the visit is
for you to organise either a site visit or tour of office facilities, so that you can demonstrate both your
work roles and your knowledge of your environment. You should also be able to discuss how you
envisage writing your placement report and show how you are recording your experience. There will
be an opportunity to discuss your plans for the final year e.g. your dissertation subject. The tutor will
also wish to speak to your placement supervisor to discuss your performance from the viewpoint of
the company.

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3.8 Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I start looking for a placement?

A: The Directorate Placements & Employability blackboard sites provides help and information you
will need to support your search. There is an additional list of websites at the end of this handbook
you may wish to try.

Q: Will I have to pay tuition fees to the University during my placement?

A: Students do not currently pay tuition fees during their placement year. For help and advice please
see: Money Matters

Q: I have a placement in mind, how do I find out if it is suitable?

A: Please contact the Placement Tutor to check that the placement meets the requirements of your
programme.

Q: Can I receive a Student Loan during my placement?

A: If you are a Home/EU student and currently receive a Student Loan, you may receive a partial loan.
Please submit an application to Student Finance (which ever part of the UK you reside) - even if you
do not wish to receive funding - as this will ensure that they have a record of your programme
extension. The University need you to have a record with Student Finance in order to process a
Change of Information. You will need to request evidence from the University that you will be going
on placement.

Q: Do I still need to register with the University during my placement?

A: Yes – you must register onto your programme as usual when you receive an email prompting you
to do so.

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Q: Will I have to pay Council Tax?

A: No – as a registered student, you will be exempt from paying Council Tax. An exemption letter will
be sent to all registered students to your University email at the start of term.

For more information regarding letters, please click here: Letter Requests

Q: Will my placement be assessed by the University during my placement?

A: Yes

Q: What happens if I fail a placement module?

A: The regulations governing the failure of a placement module are described in the Academic
Regulations for Taught Programmes. Please see the link below:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/qeo/StudentPolicies/student-disciplinary-procedure

Q: Can I study part-time and do a placement?

A: The option to study part-time and undertake an integrated work placement (assessed and
monitored by the University) is not currently available as an option.

Please email SEE-Placements-Industry@salford.ac.uk if you have been offered a part-time placement

so that we can advise you of your options.

Q: Is there any wellbeing support available whilst on placement?

Yes, you can access the University’s Wellbeing & Counselling services here

If you would you like immediate counselling support?

The University & Care First offer a free telephone counselling service with unlimited access 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. Call 0800 970 1080 for any support & practical advice.

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Crisis Support

• In an emergency or if you are at risk you can call 999 for an ambulance or go to the
nearest A&E
• University Security emergency number: 0161 295 3333
• Contact your GP
• Call the NHS on 111
• Samaritans (a free service to speak to someone about how you’re feeling, available 24
hours a day): 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• CALM (support for men, available 5pm – midnight daily): 0800 58 58 58 or chat online
at www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat
• Papyrus (support for people feeling suicidal, available 10am – 10pm weekdays, 2pm – 10pm
weekends, 2pm – 5pm bank holidays): 0800 068 4141, text 07786 209 697 or
email pat@papyrus-uk.org
• Shout A place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text SHOUT
to 85258 from anywhere in the UK, anytime, about any type of crisis.
• Crisis point (helpline for people in a crisis open from 9am – 5pm): 0300 003 7029
• Nightline (a confidential listening and information service run for students by students.
Available 8pm – 8am during term-time or you can email 24 hours a day, every day of the
year to nightmail@manchester.nightline.ac.uk

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3.9 Useful Web Resources

University of Salford:

• Salford Advantage – Most incoming placement opportunities are posted here. You will need
your network ID and password to log in: https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk

• Careers & Employability – Get help with your applications – everything from CV advice to
mock interviews: Careers and Enterprise Hub

• Blackboard Site: ‘Engineering – Placements & Employability’

• Erasmus – see if your placement is eligible for further funding: International Exchange Team

External sites:

• The Student Ladder http://www.studentladder.co.uk/

• Gradcracker
• Placement UK
• The Big Choice
• Prospects
• Rate My Placement
• The Student Room
http://www.gradcracker.com/
http://www.placement-uk.com/pages/index.php
http://www.thebigchoice.com/Placements
http://www.prospects.ac.uk
http://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/

Business directories:

• Yell.co.uk http://www.yell.com/

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