Module Information

Module Identifier
PHS0160
Module Title
Year In Industry
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Co-Requisite
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Written report on Industrial Year  5000 Words  50%
Semester Assessment Report from employer  (Form to be filled in by Employer.)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Note  In accordance with Academic Registry guidelines there is no resit assessment for the Year in Industry. Students who fail the conditions of the assessment will be transferred to a scheme that does not involve a Year in Industry.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Negotiate and secure a work placement, agreed with the Work Experience Co-ordinator.

2. Demonstrate the ability to fulfill a working role.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the activities and performance of the business/organization/place of employment.

4. Assess personal development during the work experience role.

Brief description

This module gives students the opportunity to acquire and develop the necessary personal and subject specific skills, establish a link between training and industry and to prepare and plan for their future careers. The module aims to develop student ability to recognize and reflect upon the skills they build in the working situation and enhance their ability to capitalize on that experience. Students will be assessed on their reflection based on the work experience as well as the work itself.

With the assistance of Careers Service and Physics Department staff, students will be expected to seek and secure appropriate full time employment (paid or unpaid) equivalent to a minimum of 36 weeks. During this time they will be expected to gain extensive experience of the workplace and of undertaking a working role. Specific targets will be set at the outset and students will be monitored and guided by means of email and telephone communication (or electronic means such as Skype) and visits (mainland UK only) from an academic supervisor.

The work experience should be equivalent to at least 36 weeks of full-time, approved employment completed over a 12 month period following completion of level 2 and prior to commencing the final year.

At the end of the working period, students will submit a report (more details below) in which they reflect on their experience, identify skills which need to be developed (and opportunities for this), aimed at further enhancing their employability during the final year and beyond.

Content

During year 2, all students planning to take a Industrial Year will be briefed about the module, and helped to prepare themselves to apply for employment via a training weekend. The Careers Service and Physics Department Work Experience Co-ordinator will provide advice and help, as required. These opportunities will need to be approved by the Work Experience Co-ordinator (and appropriate checks made on health and safety aspects and insurance cover), but the aim is to accept as broad a range of opportunities as possible in line with the stated academic aim. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Work Experience Co-ordinator (and in consultation with academic staff if required), based on the student’s programme of study. Students will complete the equivalent of 36 weeks of full-time work experience in an approved organization and location.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Describe the structure and organizational environment of the company.
• Describe experience of working in a professional (commercial) working environment.
• Describe and critically analyse experience of working in a team and/or working towards part of a larger strategic endeavour, or company objectives.
• Discuss and evaluate the management culture of the company.
• Develop and appreciate the need for time keeping and planning skills.
• Describe their technical experience in industry.
• Critically analyse the technical and non-technical aspects of their working environment.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Ability to communicate in writing and orally in the workplace.
Improving own Learning and Performance Ability to work independently and in teams.
Information Technology The use of industry led approaches, concepts, skills, methods and theories in a work based context.
Personal Development and Career planning Valued transferable and professional skills during a work placement, providing a competitive edge in the graduate job market.
Problem solving Analytical and problem solving skills.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5