Module manager: Rafe Clayton
Email: R.M.Clayton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module aims to give students assessed experience of working within the media or media related industries. By arranging and undertaking a work placement, students are then expected to reflect on the practical demands of a working environment and to critically evaluate their experience. In this period, they will develop and apply the skills and concepts they have studied during the course of their degree programmes as well as reflecting on the qualities necessary to develop and progress in a professional environment.
This module gives students the opportunity to "bridge" between academic study and a working environment, equipping the student with industry experience to allow them to progress into the working world. Interaction with the media industry will enable students to understand the professional processes required, and aquire skills and competencies for their future career development. After the placement, students will undertake an essay assessment critically evaluating their experience of professional practice through analyis and self reflection.
Subject specific learning outcomes:
A list of the subject specific learning outcomes that a student will have achieved on successful completion of the module. Learning outcomes relate to student achievement and should be specific, measurable, and attainable, and use action verbs. They need to correspond to the level of the module and will link to the key assessment tasks.
(Total combined character count for subject and skills LOs 16000 maximum)
On completion of this module, students will provide evidence of being able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of professional practice based on interactions with media professionals
2. Reflect critically on working in the media, exploring the current opportunities and challenges for media organisations.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement | 10 | 8 | 120 |
| Lecture | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Practical | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Private study hours | 74 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 126 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Most of this module is delivered via teaching and placement attendance but students are required to independently prepare for the placement by providing an industry-specific CV of professional standard to the placement provider; or by applying to the placement online (if necessary). Students may be required to undertake an interview prior to being offered a position. They are advised to keep a placement diary and a record of their work.
Prior to the placement, students have the opportunity to attend advice sessions on how to write a CV, apply for a placement, and understand the duties they will be required to undertake in a professional media environment
Students are required to independently prepare for the placement by providing an industry-specific CV of professional standard to the placement provider; or by applying to the placement online (if necessary). Students may be required to undertake an interview prior to being offered a position. They are advised to keep a placement diary and a record of their work.
All placements must have been agreed with the School of Media and Communications by the start of semester one, year 3.
Students will receive a briefing outlining how to prepare for a placement before embarking on their time in the industry.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Reflective essay | 100 |
| Coursework | Evidence of 10 days of media engagement in the creative industry | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Students will be expected to find their own placements. Prior to the placement, students are given advice on the skills required to working effectively in a media environment. Some locally based placements will be advertised but the majority of students will be expected to find their own placements. A student who undertakes the work placement year can reflect on a specific period of time or a key project undertaken during their placement year for this assessment on their return in year 4. More than one placement can be undertaken to reach the required time spent in the industry.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 12/05/2025
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