Placements
Professional bodies describe what they expect of students before they are entered on a professional register. The placement programme ensures these requirements are fully met for each professional body and that students will be attractive to potential employers. Placements start early in programmes and are carefully organised with placement providers so that students gain a wide range of practice experience, whilst being fully supported. We have a network of support for students so that academic learning is integrated with practice education. Student progression through a series of placements reflects the focus of learning in taught subjects. All student learning is intended to positively influence the quality of student practice, which is the purpose of vocational programmes.
Aims and Objectives
Being part of a vocational university, our programmes aim to prepare students for employment within a very wide range of careers. Many of the programmes within HSC lead students to an academic award and professional registration e.g. nursing, midwifery, social work. The placement programme ensures that students are adequately prepared for professional work, that is that they are fit for practice.
Student Benefits
The placement programme is devised so that practice learning is sequential and cumulative. One placement builds upon the preceding experiences and widens the student repertoire of practice competence. With the close integration of theory and practice, the learning in one dimension adds to the other, and gives students a sense of ever growing competence and confidence.
Work Prospects
Successfully completing a programme within HSC means that graduates not only leave with an academic award but also they are well established on the ladder to success. Having spent time in practice settings, graduates are already well prepared for the world of employment and they may well have already met their potential employer before completing the programme.
Postgraduate Opportunities
Employment rates are very high and the sound relationships we have with placement providers means that they are keen to support their employees (our graduates) on our post-graduate programmes. We have collaborated with local providers of health and social care services, so that there is an extensive programme of Continuing Professional Development. HSC Graduates are fit for award, fit for practice and fit for employment.
Placement Providers
We have recently launched a new web–based system: Placement Environment Profile (PEP). It makes arranging placements easier than ever for Providers, and in the future will provide students with detailed information about their placement area, including geographical information, health and safety data, information about the learning environment and the learning opportunities available.
