Study information

Workplace Learning

Module titleWorkplace Learning
Module codePSY1208
Academic year2025/6
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Hazel Mycroft (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

40

Module description

All students are encouraged to pursue work experience during their time at university; it adds an invaluable element to your CV and enhances your employability skills. The module is structured so you have a mixture of interactive lectures and workshops in conjunction with the mini placement (which may be virtual depending on how the COVID pandemic progresses) and finally written and oral assignments.

Both the lectures and workshops are designed to enhance your employability by assessing your current skills and developing further skill competencies. You are expected to prepare for some sessions and workshops in advance.

There will be departmental and careers service support for those taking this module. You will also have to be registered for the Exeter Award and My Career Zone (www.mycareerzone/exeter.ac.uk). 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module will give you an opportunity to link your academic study with developing work related skills, enhancing your employability while also delivering assessed coursework.

The module assessment will include a cover letter and mock interview. You will have the choice of four different jobs vacancies. You must choose one and write a cover letter. You will attend a ‘mock-interview’ based on this job vacancy. This assessment will allow you to practice how to make a professional impact via written communication in the form of the cover letter. It will also be invaluable experience of a job interview.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. With some guidance, identify and secure appropriate work experience
  • 2. Prepare a graduate level cover letter and with the mock interview, enhance your preparation for future job hunting, employability and career development.
  • 3. Apply knowledge to a work situation in a task or problem-solving context
  • 4. Reflect on your learning during the work experience

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Describe your learning process and reflect on some key issues arising from the workplace

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. Communicate ideas and arguments through written and oral presentation
  • 7. Collect information for yourself, managing information and selecting appropriate relevant information about the companies you have chosen to review
  • 8. Focus on issues and assess priorities, taking responsibility for your own learning with minimal direction
  • 9. Produce information to make you attractive to future employers within your CV and cover letter and LinkedIn profile
  • 10. Manage time and resources to achieve the aims of the module

Syllabus plan

The introductory sessions will be held during Term 1. These sessions will cover:

  • Introduction to the module
  • Identifying work placements – what’s appropriate (this will depend on the status of the pandemic)?
  • What makes a good presentation?
  • How to ‘sell’ your skills and experience to an employer

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
1512015

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching6Lectures covering introduction to module, expert careers talks from industry and team building exercise with reflective group work, session on how to find and carry out work experience (6 x 1 hour)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching9Tutorials covering reflexive practice, assessments and placements, and review of progress (3 x 1 hour); A practical session on how to effectively use LinkedIN (1hr) ; How to be professional whilst using social media(1hr); CV and cover letter session (2hr)
Guided independent study120Researching suitable work opportunities, research on the relevant organisation, and your role within it. Guided development of written report skills.
Placement15Suitable work experience (possibly virtual) approved by the module convenor

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Host evaluationPerformance during work placement 1-4, 6, 9-10 Oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
75025

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
0
Cover letter40500 words2, 4-5, 8, 10-12Written
Mock interview2520 minutes2, 4-5, 7-8Oral
Reflective diary351000 words2-12Written, oral
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Cover letterCover letter2, 4-5, 8, 10-12Deadline to be set in August of year of assessment
Mock interviewMock interview2, 4-5, 7-8Deadline to be set in August of year of assessment
Reflective diaryReflective diary2-12Deadline to be set in August of year of assessment

Re-assessment notes

Four assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in any assessment you will have the opportunity to resubmit in the August/September re-assessment period. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%; deferred marks are not capped.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Finding work:

There is a lot of information on the University’s Careers and Employability Service (CES) webpages about careers and the help that can provide, as well as job opportunities at:

There are also numerous other websites which advertise internships, placements and other work opportunities:

You may also want to join the Exeter Psychology Alumni LinkedIn group, which includes hundreds of graduate students from our Psychology programmes who may be able to advise you about what work might be available. However, please bear in mind that they will not be able to find you graduate work, as this requires a degree, but they may be able to offer some guidance:

Other topics:

Further CES general guidance is available on specific topics, as follows:

  • Careers and Employment Service Guide – available from CES
  • Your Job is online - DVD available at CES
  • Looking Good on Paper - DVD available at CES
  • Making an Impact - DVD available at CES

Personal development

CVs and Making Applications

Interviews

Teaching

The changing workplace

Students at Work (University of Warwick video)

Key words search

Employability, work experience, team building, placement, organisational psychology, personal development

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

PSY1205

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

17/08/2017

Last revision date

02/08/2024