PM2PS: Placement Support

Module code: PM2PS

Module provider: Pharmacy; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 0

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Alex Bye , email: a.bye@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Gary Stephens, email: g.j.stephens@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: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This preparatory module aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical tools necessary for making successful placement year applications in your chosen roles and sectors. Building on your personal placement goals, action plan and development work undertaken in year one, this module will support you in navigating the recruitment process and preparing for interviews and pre-employment assessments. You will also explore the academic assessment requirements and professional behaviours and values expected during your placement year.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Analyse the roles, sectors and organisations for your chosen placement year applications and tailor your applications accordingly
2. Be prepared for recruitment tests​, interviews, and assessment centres 
3. Outline the academic assessment requirements for the placement year
4. Demonstrate a commitment to the professional values, behaviours and skills expected from 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students during the placement year 

Module content

Content provided, will include a range of online resources, briefings, tutorials, workshops and networking events including peer support, and will also include an element of self-guided personal study time in order to prepare and apply for placement opportunities.

This module provides students training on recruitment skills to secure a placement (CV, cover letter, professional profile, etc.); information about gaining work experience and networking; provides opportunities for networking including peer support; prepares students for searching and securing a placement, the application process and support during the placement year itself.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Placement support modules will mainly include briefings and interactive workshop style sessions, with the opportunity to engage with group work and peer support.

During workshops students will work on the development of their own material for placement applications, searching for placement opportunities or practicing for recruitment processes. This may also consist of Networking and Marketplace Events with employers, Placement Application Labs with staff and peers and Assessment Centre Simulations.

Online content will be made available to all students.

The final placement preparatory session is compulsory for all students to attend, prior to commencing their placements.

Small group and tutorial sessions may also take place for further advice.

Study hours

At least 10 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 summative assessment on this module, but students are required to submit the formative assessments listed below.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

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.

By the end of year 2 , students will be expected to submit a 1-page placement year preparatory profile:

1. Short reflection of their ambitions for their secured placement year OR any alternative work experience opportunity if a placement opportunity has not been secured
2. A reflection on any skills, experience and knowledge gaps they are hoping to gain during their placement year experience or from any other alternative work experience
3. Outline any interventions and or support they feel they would need from their employer and the University, during their placement year or any alternative work experience, in order to meet their placement/career learning outcomes (300 words)

Reassessment

Additional costs