This module offers students the chance to undertake a 50-hour placement in a field relevant to education. Placements might include a policy think tank,...

Education Studies Placement Module  (EDPS0246)

This module offers students the chance to undertake a 50-hour placement in a field relevant to education. Placements might include a policy think tank, government department, charity or NGO, museum, gallery or heritage site. Some of the placements may be within UCL, and others with external organisations. This is a 30-credit module that runs across all three terms and gives students the opportunity to test out a career field they are interested in, as well as provide a space for critical and intellectual reflection on the possibilities of using an Education Studies degree in different education-related career strands.

In term one, students are introduced to key academic debates and contemporary issues in policy, heritage and the voluntary sector through lectures and seminars. Term two begins with ‘key skills’ workshops to prepare students for their placement work designed in collaboration with placement organisations to ensure students are prepared sufficiently for the work they will undertake. In term two/three students will undertake a 50-hour placement, supported by regular classes to support their professional development and continue intellectual reflection on the work they are undertaking. The module aims to support students to reflect on their skills, interests and knowledge and how to apply these to a workplace context and develop a professional development plan to better prepare for the labour market after graduation.

At the end of term one, students are assessed by a 2,500-word essay on one of the themes covered in the lectures and seminars. In term three, students submit an assessed 2,000-word reflective report on the placement.

NB: The module is limited to 30 students. Each student is asked to write a 200-word expression of interest telling us why you want to take the module, and which areas of work you are most interested in.

It is not possible to take both this module and the Educating and Organising for Social Justice module.