PO2PLA: Placement Support

Module code: PO2PLA

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 0

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Mrs Amanda Gill, email: a.j.r.gill@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Kenton White, email: kenton.white@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides students with general and specific placement and employability related skills. It aims to develop students’ application and CV writing skills, knowledge of psychometric and video testing, interview and assessment centre techniques. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand how to find placement opportunities
2. Demonstrate CV writing and other application skills, including tailoring applications to particular schemes or employers
3. Show knowledge of a range of selection methods, including psychometric testing, common interview question styles, and assessment centre tasks

Module content

Topics will typically include: 

• GES application session 
• Your Placement timeline and how to update your CV 
• How and where to search for a placement 
• Making the perfect application 
• Psychometric tests and video interviews workshop 
• Interview and Assessment Centres 
• Pre-placement induction 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is based around interactive seminar sessions. Students should also book one-to-one meetings with the Placement Co-ordinator for tailored advice on their CV, cover letter writing and interview readiness. 

Study hours

At least 6 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

There is no assessment on this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

There is no assessment on this module.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

1:1 consultations on CV, cover letter writing and interview readiness. 

Reassessment

Additional costs