Chapter 16 - Placement/Work Based Learning

1. 16.1.1
   These guidelines apply to all taught programmes offered by the ifs School of Finance, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
2. 16.1.2
   These guidelines may be varied in the case of programmes which form part of a dual or joint award delivered collaboratively with a partner institution.
3. 16.1.3
   Any programme offered by the ifs School of Finance which includes placement / work based learning is operated in line with the QAA Code of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Education, Section 9: Placement Learning.
4. 16.1.4
   In its own Code of Practice, the QAA defines placement learning as:

   ‘A planned period of learning, normally outside the institution at which the student is enrolled, where the learning outcomes are an intended part of a programme of study. It includes those circumstances where students have arranged their own learning opportunity with a placement provider, with the approval of the institution’.
   (Glossary, QAA Code of Practice, Section 9: Placement Learning)

   This definition can be taken to include work based learning which, for the purposes of these guidelines, can more precisely be defined as learning that involves the development of knowledge and skills, and their assessment, within the workplace with the formal agreement and active support of the employer.

5. 16.1.5
   The procedures relating to the approval, design, implementation, monitoring and review of any work based/placement learning module within an ifs School of Finance programme mirror those applied to standard programme module through the Programme and Validation Committee. Further details of these procedures can be found in Chapters 7 and 10 of this code covering Programme Design, Approval, Monitoring and Review and Assessment of Students.
6. 16.1.6
   The procedures relating to student complaints and appeals for work based/ placement learning modules mirror those applied to standard programme modules, which can be found in Chapter 13 of this code covering Academic Appeals and Student Complaints.
7. 16.1.7
   The procedures relating to the approval, monitoring and review of providers of work based / placement learning opportunities within an ifs School of Finance programme mirror, as appropriate, those applied to academic centres approved to deliver standard modules within ifs School of Finance programmes.
8. 16.1.8
   The procedures relating to disabilities for work-based / placement learning modules, mirror those applied to standard programme modules which can be found in Chapter 4 of this code, Students with Disabilities.
9. 16.1.9
   When designing a programme which includes work based / placement learning modules, consideration is given to effective and appropriate integration of the opportunities provided into the programme’s overall aims and learning outcomes.

   As far as possible, the work based / placement learning modules are integrated with the rest of the programme and not designed as a separate, bolt-on element.

10. 16.1.10
    The inclusion of work based / placement learning modules within a programme provides opportunities for the development and assessment of a wide range of knowledge and skills, with the potential to use non-standard assessment approaches.

    These opportunities are considered at both a holistic (programme) level as well as from the perspective of the individual work based / placement modules in terms of both learning outcomes and assessment strategy.

11. 16.1.11
    Any programme requirements for students to participate in work based / placement learning are made clear and explicit to students prior to commencement of the programme. Registered students must normally fulfil any work based /placement learning requirements associated with any programme.
12. 16.1.12
    The nature of certain assessment activities, and the potential to use non-standard assessment approaches, may require adjustments to established assessment procedures.  However, the principles of reliable and valid assessment supported by appropriate quality management processes continue to apply.

Given the multi-partite nature of work based / placement learning, it is essential that there is a common, shared understanding of its nature, purpose and implementation within a programme, and that the responsibilities of all stakeholders are well understood and carried out appropriately.

1. 16.2.1
   The ifs School of Finance , through the procedures it implements with regard to work based / placement learning, assumes responsibility to ensure that all programmes which involve such elements are consistent with both the QAA Code of Practice as well as the ifs School of Finance Code of Practice for Quality Assurance.
2. 16.2.2
   In addition, the ifs School of Finance ensures that providers of work based/placement learning opportunities are:
   1. fully briefed on, and kept up-to-date with regard to, their roles and responsibilities within the programme;
   2. appropriately resourced and prepared to provide the opportunities required for students to achieve the identified learning outcomes;
   3. committed at the appropriate levels to support student learning activities;
   4. alert to the need to have in place appropriate health and safety provision;
   5. committed to support the assessment of students as required and agreed and in accordance with the agreed timetables and regulations.
3. 16.2.3
   Those ifs School of Finance staff involved in the approval, implementation, monitoring and review of work based / placement learning activities are appropriately trained.
4. 16.2.4
   In respect of students enrolled on work based / placement learning modules, the ifs School of Finance ensures that they are:
   1. fully briefed on, and kept up-to-date with regard to, their rights and responsibilities with regard to work-based / placement learning;
   2. provided with information regarding the contribution of the work based / placement learning components to their overall programme of study;
   3. able to access guidance and support during their work based / placement learning beyond those opportunities provided by the placement provider (eg through ifs tutors and student advisers);
   4. provided with clear and unambiguous information setting out their responsibilities and obligations;
   5. advised to keep a record of their learning activities and their consequent achievement of identified learning outcomes during the course of their work based / placement experience;
   6. provided with a template document, developed in line with current approaches to progress files and personal development plans, to use to keep a record of their learning activities;
   7. provided with opportunities to give feedback on their work based / placement learning experiences;
   8. advised that they may use the standard procedures for submitting complaints and/or appeals to the ifs School of Finance regarding their work based / placement learning experience – as defined in Chapter 13 of this code.
5. 16.2.5
   Providers of work based /placement learning opportunities are responsible for:
   1. fulfilling their agreed commitments with regard to the work based / placement learning modules within the programme to both students and the ifs School of Finance ;
   2. having sufficient and appropriate resources/support available both to provide the learning opportunities required for students to achieve the identified learning outcomes and for monitoring such provision to ensure its ongoing adequacy and appropriateness;
   3. ensuring that they have in place appropriate health and safety provision;
   4. ensuring that students are appropriately and adequately trained on health and safety matters in the workplace;
   5. conducting the assessment of students as required and agreed and in accordance with agreed timetables and regulations;
   6. allowing reasonable access to staff from the ifs School of Finance for the purposes of assessment and/or monitoring;
   7. feeding back to the ifs School of Finance on the work based learning content and processes.
6. 16.2.6
   It is the responsibility of students enrolled on work based / placement learning modules to:
   1. understand and meet all health and safety requirements;
   2. act in an appropriate and professional manner towards their work based/placement learning provider;
   3. keep a record of their learning activities and their consequent achievement of identified learning outcomes using the template provided by the ifs School of Finance ;
   4. communicate with either the provider and/or the ifs School of Finance regarding any issues or difficulties which they encounter that may interfere with their ability to achieve the learning outcomes;
   5. assume appropriate responsibility for security, health etc and any associated need for personal insurance.
7. 16.2.7
   Students have the right to:
   1. clear unambiguous information regarding the specific aims, learning outcomes and any other requirements associated with work based learning /placement modules;
   2. appropriate levels of support (including in terms of pastoral care and encouragement) from both the provider and the ifs School of Finance to enable them the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes for their work based / placement learning;
   3. a safe learning environment;
   4. access to a contact at the ifs School of Finance whom they can approach if they encounter any difficulties or problems during their work based / placement learning;
   5. be made aware in advance of any financial implications associated with the work based / placement learning.