University of St Mark & St John

This section of the website is relevant to:

• Prospective and existing students wanting to find out more about placement learning at UCP Marjon.
• Prospective and existing placement providers.
• Placement learning practitioners.
• Anyone looking to find out more about Placement Learning at UCP Marjon.

If you would like to provide feedback on the placement pages on the UCP Marjon website or have a question about placement learning please contact us.

What is Placement Learning?
Placement Learning is different from work experience; it is a planned period of learning, normally outside of UCP Marjon, where the learning outcomes are intended as part of student’s degree studies. Credit is not awarded for undertaking work, but for the learning and skills achieved and demonstrated as a result of the experience.

Elaine Young from UCP Marjon Careers says:

"The value of placements cannot be over-stated. Placements provide you with invaluable opportunities to develop skills, which are demanded by graduate employers and will dramatically enhance your employability.

The policy recommendations of the Wilson Review are that “ideally, every full-time undergraduate student should have the opportunity to experience a structured university approved undergraduate internship during their period of study.” (Wilson Review, 2012, p. 40). Research shows that students who undertake placements improve their academic performance, because students become more involved with the learning process and, therefore, better motivated (Andrews, Higson, Green and Jones, 2012).

Placements show employers that you are able to take responsibility; Placements increase your confidence, time-management, personal organisation, project management, communication, team work, and networking skills. They also provide you with an insight into professional career paths and opportunities and help you to make informed choices.