(Case Study) End on Placements

College
College of Health & Science
School / Department
School of Chemistry
Lead(s)
Professor Tasnim Munshi, Professor Ian Scowen
Start and End Dates (where applicable)
September 2014 - ongoing
Innovation Case Study Categories
Employability
Learning gain

The School of Chemistry offers an innovative ‘end-on’ full-year placement programme for all students in the fourth year of MChem programmes. The students can undertake a placement either within a research group at the University of Lincoln or an international HEI, or with a company.

This provides the opportunity for students to develop original and independent research corresponding to the standards required of industrial regulations and/or of publishable standard for the peer-reviewed academic literature. Placements are conducted alongside advanced academic study focusing on research frontiers in Chemistry. Our global links mean opportunities for overseas placements are available with European, American, Australian and Japanese institutions. Over 60% of our students undertake an industrial placement in year 4 and all are salaried. Our students have secured placements with major internal companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, GSK, RB, De la Rue, Jaguar LandRover, DSTL, AWE, Merck. The ‘end-on’ placements gives students a seamless transition into employment and many students stay on with their placement company to enter graduate-level jobs.

Confirmation of the student placement involves direct liaison with the hosting company by the School’s Employer Engagement Officer and the MChem Tutor to ensure that the proposed placement programme has suitable scope to include an investigative project and facilitate release for short-course study on campus.

Students on placement are supported by a named academic tutor and the Placement tutor. Prior to the placement, students receive help in choosing an appropriate training opportunity and assistance in gaining a placement. Within the placement, their academic tutor monitors the student’s academic progress and personal development.

A separate Director of Studies supervises the design and execution of a student-centered learning portfolio, which is assessed as part of the CHM9007 Personal and Professional Development module.

Students have commented favourably about the placement opportunity:

Placement in Master’s year is a fantastic stepping-stone to future employment,” (NSS student quote)