Work Experience Guide

for Students & Host Companies

MKT2054
Entrepreneurship In Practice
Contents
Section 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Practice work experience.......................................2
Overview...........................................................................................................................................2
Module Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................3
Assessment Information....................................................................................................................3
Section 2: Information for Students................................................................................................3
Work experience requirements.........................................................................................................4
Finding a host organisation................................................................................................................5
Teaching support...............................................................................................................................6
International Study Trip.....................................................................................................................6
The process to follow........................................................................................................................7
Confirming your work experience.....................................................................................................7
During your work experience............................................................................................................7
Getting the most out of your opportunity.........................................................................................8
Documenting your progress..............................................................................................................8
Gathering Feedback...........................................................................................................................9
Support during your work experience...............................................................................................9
Cost of work experience..................................................................................................................10
Expectations of during work experience.........................................................................................10
Health and Safety............................................................................................................................11
Code of Conduct For Students.........................................................................................................11
Dealing with Problems.....................................................................................................................12
Section 3: Information for Host Companies...................................................................................13
What does offering a placement involve?.......................................................................................13
Your responsibilities as a host.........................................................................................................13
What are the objectives of work experience?.................................................................................13
The Benefit for Host Companies......................................................................................................14
What is the cost for host companies?.............................................................................................14
Health and Safety............................................................................................................................15
University Contact Information.....................................................................................................16
Appendix A: Host Company Check Form.......................................................................................17
Appendix B: Host Feedback Form.................................................................................................22
Section 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Practice
work experience
Overview
The role of this module is to enable students studying both routes on this degree
programme to gain invaluable work experience during their degree programme. The
opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a commercial or third
(charity/not for profit) sector setting whilst experiencing the atmosphere and pace of the
workplace to develop confidence, define future career goals and enhance employability.

By observing and participating in work experience and work shadowing, students can
develop their own professional practices within the Entrepreneurship and Small business
sector. Students will be required to reflect on their experience and build a portfolio of
understandings to critically evaluate their own performance and make recommendations to
the host organisation.

The purpose of the work experience is to:

 Build confidence in key areas

 Develop the link between academic studies and work activities

 To apply problem solving in a real business environment

 Help students to make educational and career decisions

 Improve students’ future employability

 Facilitate and encourage students to recognise and identify quality learning from
work experience

 To build networks and identify potential future job opportunities

 Develop skills in working as part of a team

 To identify possible placement year opportunities for enhanced work experience

In addition to work experience, students will also be supported by their module tutor via 20
hours of timetabled teaching time, delivered both face-to-face and online.
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of work experience and assessments students will be able to:

Module Learning Outcomes

On sucessful cmpletion of the module with detailed guidance, students will be able to:

Subject-Specific Knowledge, Understanding & Application

a) Apply a wide range of subject specific practical skills and knowledge within a real practical
environment
b) Reflect and evaluate on experiences during work-based placement(s) and identify your
own future development needs
c) Develop a knowledge of, and evaluate, key issues relating to your subject specific industry
as part of the development
d) Demonstrate an ability to analyse and articulate a business opportunity

Employability & Changemaker Skills

e) Independently plan SMART self-development targets based on self-reflection and

feedback from valued others to improve performance
f) Develop creative and innovative ideas to engender positive change within your field of
industry or wider community issue.

Assessment Information
This module is worth 20 credit, and learnings during work experience will be assessed via
the following methods:

Assessment Activity Learning Weighting

Outcomes (%)
Assessment
Code Assessment Deliverables
Type

PS1 Presentation 10-minute host presentation c, d, f 50%

AS1 Reflective 2000 words a, b, e 50%
portfolio

Full assessment briefs and feedforward advice will be provided during the module teaching.

Section 2: Information for Students

Work-based learning is a central feature of this degree and should enable you to put your
studies into context, but more importantly should allow you to access work-related
environments and permit you to develop skills and knowledge that may benefit you and
future employers. It is essential that you plan this with care and foresight. You must
maintain a regular contact with the module tutor. You should think carefully about potential
hosts and whether or not they can help you develop the skills you feel you will need, or the
interests you have for working in the future.
Employers increasingly want new recruits who will add value immediately to their
organisations, people who are adaptive and adaptable and who have learned how to be
analytical, and critical reflective team players. Most employers especially within the
Entrepreneurship and marketing sectors now look for evidence of some form of work
experience when recruiting new graduates and want them to have some commercial
understanding. If you approach this is the right way this learning should shape your future
career path and who knows...it is not unheard of for students to prove so valuable
on placement that they become employees of the future!

Work experience requirements

As part of your degree, set within the module MKT2054 you are required to complete 120
hours work experience. These hours can be comprised of a range of activities, however,
must include at least one host company.

For example, the 120 hours can be done in a concentrated blocks of 3 days a week for 5
weeks or alternatively 1½ days for 10 weeks. The activity needs to include at least one host
organisation.

The full 120 hours does not need to be completed within one organisation or
activity and can be comprised of various activities. A maximum of 50 hours of the 120 can
be via work shadowing or observation.

To gain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in a real work environment, we

advise you to shadow different types of professionals and participate in several interviews.
Stay active in activities that are meaningful to you, such as volunteering.

Activities may include:

 Event management

 Exhibition engagement and attendance

 Approved paid employment within the Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle sector

 Approved unpaid internship within the Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle sector

 Third sector volunteering

 Engagement with convergent media in Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle context

 Study tour to observe international practice, or alternative provided in UK by

exception for any students unable to join the international study tour (max 30
hours).

For your host organisation, you are required to work within an organisation connected to
Entrepreneurship, marketing or promotion, or with ties to the Entrepreneurship and lifestyle
industry.

This could include:

  Entrepreneurship/lifestyle retailers (I.e., clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellers,
personal care/cosmetics, homewares)

 Local independent retailers (i.e., local shoe factory shops, boutiques, vintage shops
or sustainability/lifestyle shops)

 Health or beauty retailers (i.e., nail salons, hairdressers, beauticians, barbers)

 Charity shops with Entrepreneurship/lifestyle products

 Entrepreneurship, beauty/cosmetics/personal care, homewares brands

 Entrepreneurship designers / tailors

 Entrepreneurship/ lifestyle manufacturers / factories (i.e. clothing manufactures,

shoe factories)

 Marketing or PR companies

 Photography/ videography studios

 Event companies

 Press or media companies

Additional routes may be to gain experience through an organisation you are already
working with part time. This might include investigating opportunities for being exposed to
different parts of the business and for work shadowing colleagues/superiors.

Finding a host organisation

Students are encouraged to seek out and apply for work experience themselves. This
process of looking for employment and securing a position is valuable for building
confidence and employability skills.

Visiting the Changemaker Hub regularly is highly recommended. We have a dedicated staff
who are there to advise you on:

 Where to find work experience

 How to apply for it
 How to negotiate the terms and conditions of the work experience contract
 How to write a covering letter for the work experience contract application
 How to prepare for an interview
 How to conduct yourself during work experience.

You are encouraged to book a 1-2-1 appointment with the Changemaker team here:
https://changemakerhub.northampton.ac.uk/u/j4rdyall

University Resources:

FBL Undergraduate Placement Year Nile Site (while you are not participating in the
placement year, some information on this NILE site will be of use for your work experience)

Changemaker Hub
Unitemps

External Resources:

Prospectus Information & Job Board

Creative Access Opportunities Board

Entrepreneurship Workie Opportunities Board

Indeed.com

Volunteer Opportunities: Do It

Voluntary Impact Northampton

Teaching support
The first three weeks of study on the module will prepare you for the work experience
phase.

 Workshop week 1: Sourcing a placement & personal branding

 Workshop week 2: Securing a placement & communication skills

 Workshop week 3: Essential work-based skills

However, this does not mean you need to wait until completion of the above teaching
before you can begin searching for your work placement. We actively encourage you to start
this as soon as possible.

Following completion of the first three weeks of teaching, you are expected to attend a
weekly tutorial session for 1½ hrs with the module leader to share experiences with others
on the course and to ensure the work experience is progressing smoothly. Assignment
feedforward will also be provided during the online sessions.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity for 1-2-1 tutorial support from your module
leader. Please see NILE for details on how to contact them.

International Study Trip

Embedded within this module is the opportunity to participate in a university-funded
international study trip.

A maximum of 30 hours can be counted towards your work-experience for this trip,
comprising of:

 Pre-trip researching study tour companies and industries

 Pre-arranged industry tours/talks during the trip

 Own observations of retail and marketing environments during free time (I.e.,
comparing the difference between a store’s merchandising in different areas of the
city).
 For those students who choose to opt-out of the international study trip, a UK-based
alternative activity equating to 30 hours will be advised.

This would be a self-facilitated activity, where you will need to arrange your own
transportation and activities. More information will be provided by your module tutor via
NILE.

The process to follow

Confirming your work experience

Once you have sourced a host company, you are required to arrange a 1-2-1 tutorial with

Attend your
work
exprience Complete Reflect on
Schedule
Approval required your
Source host tutorial with Check-in weekly
from Module with your hours & experience
company module tutor
Tutor module tutor obtain Host & complete
for review Record your Report Form assignments
progress

your module tutor to approve your placement. To arrange this, please contact your tutor by
email and provide a completed copy of the Host Company Check Form (See Appendix A).

In this document your host company will be required to provide specific details such as who
the main contact will be, and that your work experience activities are in line with the
University’s expectations. This is to ensure that your work placement is going to provide a
safe and valuable experience.

During your 1-2-1 tutorial, your tutor will confirm the details and approve your placement.

During your work experience

As part of your work experience, you will be entering a professional setting, so you should
conduct yourself accordingly. Make sure you understand the organization's policies and
procedures regarding human resources. Throughout the program, you will have to
demonstrate skills and behaviours such as reliability, punctuality, attention to detail, and
effective communication, as well as developing interpersonal skills. During the work
experience, you may also be expected to complete assignments.

In addition to the above, attending a weekly 1½ hour online tutorial session with the
module leader is essential to share experiences and raise any issues earlier on. Managing
your time effectively will allow you to do both your coursework and your work experience
placement at the same time. Having time management skills will make you more efficient
with your time. Setting goals, creating a schedule, and being mindful of how you use your
time are just a few of the ways you can cultivate good time management skills. Be sure to
keep in touch with your module tutor and supervisor on a regular basis. It will help you gain
real-world experience, receive feedback, and grow as a person.

Getting the most out of your opportunity

Giving the right first impression will get things off to a good start. Show you are
professional by being punctual. Research on the company for your interview should have
given you an insight onto the right dress code. Ensure you have a note pad or device to
keep records on – this could be for important dates or meetings.

Contribute to the company as much as you can, you will be expected to behave like a
regular employee so once you have had some training you will need to take the initiative
and work out what is needed by who and by when.

Key skills to be developed:

1. Communication
2. Commercial awareness
3. Learning how to learn
4. Prioritising
5. Working with others

You should let your employer/team know when you will be absent from work, regardless of
whether it's for a leave of absence or a medical condition. Ensure that you keep a consistent
level of communication with your team - this will help you to ensure that you all work
toward the same goals. If you are receiving any training, make sure you are actively
participating in the sessions and making the most of the opportunity.

Documenting your progress

As part of your module, you must complete at least 120 hours of work experience and
record your activities in a logbook/reflective portfolio. Work experience notes should be kept
up to date during the work experience period, and should include relevant observations,
tasks, and feedback. These should be recorded on a dedicated Padlet that is shared with
your module tutor.

The purpose of a work experience is not simply to tick a box; it is a valuable learning
experience that will guide you in choosing your future career.

Each student must submit a reflective portfolio at the end of module in which you describe
the most important lessons you’ve learned, the challenges they faced, the skills they
developed, and their goals for the next internship or job. Further information will be
provided during assessment feedforward.

Key questions for the end of each week:

 What went really well this week?

 What have I learned or experienced that is new to me?
 What achievements am I proud of this week?
 What challenges/difficulties have I had to deal with during the week?
 How did I handle these situations/issues?
 What might I have done differently?
 What actions can I take to improve?
 What skills have I developed this week?
 What do I hope to achieve in the coming week?

It is worth reviewing the University of Northampton’s advice on Reflective Writing and

specifically the Gibbs model of reflection: https://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk/reflective-
writing/

Gathering Feedback
It is also important to gain feedback from your employer/supervisor/manager to identify
how you are progressing and to ensure that you are working according to their
expectations.

Try to take any negative feedback as a positive – you now know what you need to work on
to improve. Try to ensure you are keeping a good level of communication and that you are
responsive when asked to do something. Identify if you feel you need additional training –
the expectation is that you are there to learn as well as contribute to the organisation.

Ensure you are actively seeking out feedback and asking questions if you are unsure. If you
feel you are not making the most of your position or not learning as much as you would like,
you can approach your manager/supervisor and discuss how you can improve and what you
would like to focus on. You can also view this as an opportunity to try something new and
see if you would like to pursue it further with another organisation.

At the end of your work experience, your host is required to complete a short final report,
confirming your hours and an overview of your experience. While this is not graded, it is
required to be included and reflected upon within your reflective portfolio assignment. (See
Appendix B).

Support during your work experience

Your module leader will be your point of contact at the University and should be contacted
should any problems arise. See the NILE site for full contact details.

Host supervisor

Your employer will be asked to nominate someone to act as Host supervisor. They are
usually a line manager who is responsible for you on a day to day basis. You may also be
allocated a mentor – someone to give advice and who themselves may have recently joined
the organisation. Ensure that you are keeping in regular touch with your host supervisors
and if any problems arise put them in touch with your module tutor to assist in resolving
issues.

Timetabled teaching

While you are completing your work experience, you are still required to attend and engage
in your other timetabled modules. It is essential that you make your employer aware of
these existing timetable commitments so that they can work with you to schedule your work
experience.

This module comprises 3 set up sessions then weekly online tutorials (1 ½ hrs) with the
Module Leader. It is important that you organise your schedule to be able to attend the
online tutorials. This mechanism is used to keep you in touch with your tutor and the
assessment work but also to raise any concerns regarding your work experience. The online
tutorials are a great opportunity to ask any questions regarding workplace activities and how
to best approach your assignments. It is also a great place to network with other students
and build a group of friends who are all going through the same experience. This will
hopefully make the whole process a lot easier and enjoyable.

It is expected that you have completed your work placement hours by the time you
completed this module and in time to complete your assignments.

Cost of work experience

You the student are required to cover any costs of transport to and from your placement
host. You may choose to identify a host company closer to your home rather than the
University if you are not from the area, however it is up to you to accommodate all your
other modules and the financial costs that this may incur.

Most hosts are well aware of the costs involved in being a student. Most of them once were
students themselves. Many students have often arranged car-shares with other employees
of their host organisation, and this might be a good question to ask about if you go to an
interview.

When considering costs try to see the ‘Big Picture’. The costs you are incurring now may
well be the difference between investing in yourself now, rather than having to do so later
when you find it more difficult to gain employment.

Students are not required to pay any monies to a placement host!

Expectations of during work experience

It is your responsibility to find your placement, while we have contacts, the University
does not “place” you. You have already been provided with guidance in previous modules
where you should now have a relevant and up to date CV but we will continue to provide
help with arranging placements, interviews and developing your skills for the work place.

There are certain expectations of each student. You will be entering into the real-world
workforce. Lateness, lack of enthusiasm, non-attendance and a general unwillingness to
abide by the principles and procedures of the organisation will result in serious problems for
you as the employer will not have the time to chase you up and may can decide to
terminate the placement. You must be flexible and adapt to their environment. Don’t forget
that in addition to your responsibilities as an employee, you must also remember your
responsibilities as a student, particularly with absence, lateness etc. Remember this
opportunity should be a reflection of your professional self, and strong placement
performance can lead to future employment, opportunities to network and a potential
reference for future job applications.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety guidelines are to be met in conjunction with the University guidelines for
placements and the host organisation. All students going on placement must ensure that
hosts complete and sign the Host Company Check Form (see appendix A) in this booklet
before they start their placement. Insurance for students is covered by the University and
the host.

Students will need to read and abide by the code of conduct outlined below.

Code of Conduct For Students

As a student on placement, it is extremely important that you behave in a professional
manner at all times. You represent not only yourself as a potential employee, but also the
University. As such you are required to continue to abide by the University’s student code of
conduct which can be accessed here.

Specific work experience guidelines and key principles for you to follow are:

 When contacting your placement provider please remember to be polite and

courteous at all times.

 Arrange to meet to introduce yourself and discuss placement activities with your host
prior to the beginning of your placement. Remember that placement providers are
very busy and do not want to have to chase you.

 Arrive before the allotted time to allow for helping and other issues such as traffic.

 If you are going to be late or you are unable to attend a session always phone the
contact number you are given at your placement, and also let your module tutor
know.

 Never allow yourself to be put in a compromising situation – for example, under no

circumstances should you be left alone with a child.

 Develop a relationship with those you are working with based on openness, honesty,
mutual trust and respect.

 Demonstrate proper personal behaviour, hygiene and conduct at all times.

 Maintain professional dress standards and that means dress appropriately to the
environment and circumstances you are in for the placement. If in doubt ask your
host the expectations of your dress code.
Dealing with Problems
If you are unlucky enough to encounter problems with your placement post observe the
following:

 Any issue arising should initially be discussed with the Host Supervisor, mentor or
other appropriate individual within the host organisation. It is useful to be able to
provide examples of how issues have made you feel, or to provide evidence of
anything you wish to discuss. Resolution is usually possible if a discussion takes
place between the individuals concerned with the problem.

 Should resolution not occur as a result of the discussion, try to arrange an

appointment with someone else from the host organisation - your contact within the
HR department, or another appropriately responsible individual.

 If you are still unhappy, contact your Module Tutor. Your Tutor will discuss the
problem with you and may offer advice for action over the phone. Alternatively, your
Tutor may decide to visit you and your Host to discuss the problems you are
encountering. Such visits are organised as soon as possible after discussing the
problem with you.

 The visit will give all parties the opportunity to discuss the issues relating to the
problem and to consider possible solutions. Your Tutor will advise you with reference
to further steps, which may be necessary from this stage.

 Even if the placement is not appropriate for you, there may be others in your year or
in later years for whom it would be ideal. On no account, therefore, are you to do
anything that might jeopardise the University’s relationship with your employer.

 On no account are you to resign or leave a placement post without the advice and
support of your Tutor. Resignation from a placement job is the absolute final action
and if it is necessary to do so, your Tutor will advise you how to handle this in a
professional manner
Section 3: Information for Host Companies

What does offering a placement involve?

At the University we value the importance of gaining work experience alongside academic
studies, in order to provide students with the skills and knowledge to enhance their careers.

As a placement provider, you can accommodate a student from anywhere between a few
hours a week to 3-5 days a week. Students continue to have taught lessons during their
level 5 study and their work-based learning must be built around their study commitments.

We encourage students to partake in different placements (to maximise their opportunity for
gaining wider industry experience) but this is not compulsory.

Students are required to complete up to 120 hours of work experience during Semester Two
(approx. Jan -June), however this can be made up across several host organisations or
experiences.

The student will ideally experience a combination of shadowing experience (max 50 hours)
and practical hands-on experience according to the demands and opportunities within your
organisation. A description of the skills you can expect student to hold can be found later in
this document but if you are unsure on what please do not hesitate to contact the module
tutor to discuss further.

Your responsibilities as a host

Whilst the student is on placement you would be expected to:

 Develop a learning plan / goals with the student for the period of their placement

 Complete a brief health and safety document (see Appendix A)

 Complete a short final report on student performance at the end of the placement
(see Appendix B)

 Liaise with the university representative when appropriate

 Provide appropriate supervision and guidance for the student

 Provide a positive environment for the student to learn

 Provide a copy of your insurance certificate

What are the objectives of work experience?

The purpose of this experience is to provide students with an opportunity for them to apply
their knowledge and skills in a commercial or third (charity/not for profit) sector setting
whilst experiencing the atmosphere and pace of the workplace to develop confidence, define
future career goals and enhance employability.
The purpose of the work experience is to:

 Build confidence in key areas

 Develop the link between academic studies and work activities
 To apply problem solving in a real business environment
 Help students to make educational and career decisions
 Improve students’ future employability
 Facilitate and encourage students to recognise and identify quality learning from
work experience
 To build networks and identify potential future job opportunities
 Develop skills in working as part of a team
 To identify possible placement year opportunities for enhanced work experience

Please refer to Section 1 of this document for specific information relating to the objectives
of this activity.

The Benefit for Host Companies

As well as helping the student to develop their skills, knowledge and application it has been
repeatedly shown that taking on a placement student can also benefit the placement
provider! You have the opportunity to tap into the student’s wealth of knowledge, skill and
recourses to help develop your service / organisation.

It is expected that the student will operate when possible as a member of your team and
should prove to be a valuable asset throughout the placement.

In MKT2054 Entrepreneurship in Practice, the student is also expected to produce an

analysis of the host organisation and identify potential marketing/promotion opportunities.
This could be guided by yourself to provide research into new ideas / services or potential
new piece of equipment for example. The opportunity is endless.

And who knows...it is not unheard of for students to prove so valuable on

placement that they become employees of the future!

What is the cost for host companies?

There is no financial commitment required from the placement host, all we ask is for some
of your time. We ask that you provide a named contact within your organisation who will
help the student settle, oversee the learning programme/ activities, and be able to liaise
with the Module Tutor at the University. We do not anticipate that this will be a time-
consuming task.

The student will receive no payment whilst working with you from the University, however if
you choose to offer remuneration you can discuss this with the student directly. Travel costs
etc. will all be covered by the student.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety guidelines are to be met in conjunction with the University guidelines for
placements and the host organisation. All students going on placement must ensure that
hosts complete and sign the Host Company Check Form (see appendix A) in this booklet
before they start their placement. Insurance for students is covered by the University and
the host.

Students will need to read and abide by the code of conduct outlined in section 2
of this document.
University Contact Information

General Contact Information:

The University of Northampton

Waterside Campus

University Drive

Northampton

NN1 5PH

Tel: 01604 735500 (Main Switchboard)

Module Leader details:

The Module Leader is responsible for overseeing and supporting students throughout their
work experience. You can reach them via the details below, however, please be aware that
they may not be instantly contactable due to working hours and teaching commitments,
however they will endeavour to respond to emails as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact:

Adeboye Dada

Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship

email: Adeboye.dada@northampton.ac.uk
Appendix A: Host Company Check Form

Part A – Completed by employer

Student Name
Company name

Company address

Supervisor/Mentor
(name)
e-mail (Supervisor/Mentor)

Telephone
(Supervisor/Mentor)

Please ✓ where appropriate

Ye No Comment (if
s necessary)
1 Have you been provided with the
University’s objectives for work
experience?

2 Can the objectives be met?

3 Will you introduce at an early stage the

student to the resources and people
necessary to complete the objectives of
the placement?
4 Do you consider your business to be
compliant with Health & Safety law?

5 Do you have a written Health & Safety

Policy and will you provide a copy of this
to the student?
6 Have you, in the last year, had a
reportable event (within the meaning of
Health & Safety legislation) in the area
where the student will be working?

Please ✓ where appropriate

Ye No Comment (if
s necessary)
7 Do you have in place Public Liability/Employers
liability Insurance that would cover the student
against a foreseeable risk and with a minimum
cover of £2 million? Please attach a copy of
this certificate
8 Will you, at the beginning of the placement
inform the student of all emergency
procedures, who their supervisor is, where to
go for First Aid and what the Health & Safety
reporting procedure is?
9 Will you ensure that the student is made fully
aware of safety requirements and point out any
specific dangers e.g. relating to chemicals,
machinery, ionizing radiation or gases?
10 Will you report to the University all accidents
involving the placement student?

11 Have you allocated one employee who

understands that it is their responsibility to
supervise the activities of the student and be
responsible for the student’s safety?
12 Have you taken into account that in assessing
appropriate levels of safety and supervision
that the student is unlikely to be familiar with
the working environment and will not have
relevant experience?
13 Will you provide any necessary training to
ensure that the student can conduct proposed
activities on the placement safely?
14 If protective clothing is required will you
provide this?

15 Are there any occupational difficulties to

accepting disabled students?

16 Has the student made you aware of their other

University timetabled commitments and can
this be accommodated?
Please confirm details of the working arrangements that you have agreed with the
student:

Role/ Title

Start Date

Hours per week

Working arrangements
(I.e. times/ days etc)

Signed by employer

Name Position Signature Date

Part B – Completed by University of Northampton

Note that this checklist is intended to outline common types of information that it is
necessary for the University to check in advance of any work placement activity. You may
need to add further categories depending on the needs of your subject area/students.

Check Comment (if

ed ü applicable)
Placement  Has the student and/or
suitability host identified the
activities/tasks to be
undertaken?
 Will the placement offer
sufficient opportunities
for fulfilling the learning
outcomes
Roles and  Is the placement
responsibilities supervisor aware of their
responsibilities?
 Is the student aware of
their responsibilities?
Supervisory  Does the academic
arrangements course team have up to
date contact information
for the placement
supervisor?
Health and  Has the placement
Safety supervisor been briefed
on Health and Safety
responsibilities?
 Has the organisational
checklist form been
completed (this form
contains a short Risk
Assessment)
Site access and  Has the student arranged
accommodation travel to and from the
placement site?
 Has provision been made
for students with
disabilities (if applicable)
 Does the student have
suitable accommodation
(if applicable)
Insurance  Does the employer have
both Employers and
Public Liability
insurances in place?
  For overseas placements,
does the employer have
appropriate insurance?
If not, the student may
need to be advised to
take out additional
personal accident
insurance, making clear
the purpose/nature of
their travel
International Where applicable:
students  If the student is studying
on a Tier 4 visa, has the
University been informed
of the placement host
and the placement
dates?
 Has the student obtained
any necessary visas for
an overseas placement?
Assessment  Have students been
informed of assessment
deadlines and
procedures, including
marking criteria?
 Has guidance and
mentor training been
provided to the
placement supervisor if
they will be involved in
assessment/awarding of
marks leading to part of
an award?

Signed by University of Northampton

Name Position Signature Date

Appendix B: Host Feedback Form
Please complete the below feedback form on completion of the work experience and supply
directly to the student. We encourage hosts to discuss this in-person with the students.

To be completed by the employer

Student Company
Date of work Hours completed
experience

Employability / Poor Average Excellent Notes

Skills Feedback 1 2 3 4 5
General behavior
(politeness and
courtesy to others)
Punctuality &
timekeeping
Relationships with
others (colleagues,
customers)
Working as part of a
team
Communication

Digital literacy skills

Problem solving &

analytical skills

Creativity

Specific industry skills

Commercial awareness

Please provide any specific feedback below

Signed by Date

Role

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form and for providing this work experience
opportunity.