Work-Based
Placements
2015/16
For Host Organisations
Student-led Projects
School of Social and Political Science & School of Law
[email protected]
+44 (0)131 6515 677
What is a work-based placement?
Selected postgraduate Masters students can apply to undertake a research project in
collaboration with external host organisations, as an alternative to a traditional desk-based
dissertation. Students will be based with the host organisation (in the UK or overseas) for 2
months, then will analyse and write up their findings for a further 1.5 months. The resulting
research paper will be submitted to both the host organisation and the University.
What are the aims of a work-based placement?
These projects provide excellent opportunities for students to think through theoretical ideas
in ‘real world’ contexts and to gain transferable skills through applied, practical experience
with host organisations. For organisations, WBPs offer the opportunity to host a student with
specialised knowledge in the field, who will contribute to a pre-arranged research project in
order to advance organisational objectives. The commissioned research paper will address a
real need within the host organisation, while improving the employability of our graduates; it
is key that placements are of mutual benefit to the host and the student.
As the project forms an integral part of the student’s degree there is no requirement to pay
them a salary.
Putting Learning into Practice
Output: the research paper
Using data collected during the placement, and based on the research question posed by the
organisation, the research paper will be 12,000 words (8,000 words for LLM students). The
paper will be an extensive piece of academic writing, and the exact format will be decided
between the host organisation, the student, and the University to ensure that all needs are
met. This format will be formally agreed with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all
parties.
What is the timeline?
The student-led timeline follows the standard work-based placement timeline within the
School, with the exception that project proposals can be accepted until February as students
need not go through the application process.
Date
October 2015 –
February 2016
31 March 2016
Early April 2016
Late April /May &
June 2016
August 2016
Action
Student approached host organisation. Project proposals
constructed by host organisations in liaison with the student and
University to ensure respective needs are met
Completed final project proposal submitted to Practice Programme
Manager ([email protected]). The project form is attached in
this document. (PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS CHANGED – 31
MARCH 2016 IS CORRECT)
Memorandum of Understanding signed by student, host
organisation, and University Programme Director. Student completes
other necessary paperwork such as risk assessments, ethics
application etc.
Students on Placement:
 The University will provide academic supervision, as well as
administrative oversight, throughout the placement;
 The host organisation will be asked to provide a named contact
for the University to liaise with on all placement matters
Report submitted to host organisation, dissertation submitted to
University
Putting Learning into Practice
Work-based Placement: Project Outline Form
This form should be completed by the key contact in the host organisation and returned to
[email protected] by February 2016. Thank you for your interest in the WBP scheme
and we look forward to working with you.
Name of your organisation:
Project Details
Research Question:
In one or two sentences, please tell us: What are the motivating questions? What is it, specifically,
that your organisation would like to know?
Objective and research output:
Please explain what you hope to get from resulting research paper, and how you might use the
student’s work to advance your organisation’s objectives?
Methodology:
Please detail how the students will be expected to answer the research questions, for example,
desk research, interviews, survey, review of internal document, etc.
Contact Details
Name of the key contact in your organisation:
Key contact email address:
Key contact telephone number:
Address of host organisation (including location of project): This should be the physical street
address where the student will be based, not a PO Box
Estimated accommodation and Travel costs (to be met by students): Not including return
travel to the host organisation from Edinburgh
Putting Learning into Practice
Further Details
Proposed start and end date of project:
Additional requirements
Specific skills the student should have, e.g. a particular language.
Local requirements
Including Protecting Vulnerable Groups [PVG disclosure], other checks required to be carried out
on the student’s background, or any paperwork required before the student can undertake their
research at your organisation.
Please contact the Practice Programme, if you have any queries or wish to discuss the Workbased Placement scheme in more detail. Please submit the form to the SSPS Practice
Programme email address [email protected]
Themes checklist
Please mark all themes that apply to your project.
Agriculture
Business Development
Community
Diaspora
Education
Gender
Health
HIV
Human Rights
Microfinance
Nutrition
Peace keeping
Poverty
Refugees
Reproductive Health
Sustainability
Technology
Violence
Youth
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
Putting Learning into Practice
Pre-placement Health and Safety Checklist
The pre-placement Health and Safety Checklist to be Yes
completed by the Organisation if the Student will spend
time on-site or conducting fieldwork in relation to the
WBP
Do you have a written Health and Safety policy?
Do you have a policy regarding health and safety training?
If so, will you provide all necessary health and safety
training for the Student?
Is the Organisation registered with Health and Safety
Executive or the Local Authority Environmental Health
Department?
Insurance
Is Employer and Public Liability Insurance held?
Risk Assessment
Do you carry out risk assessments of your work practices?
Are the results of risk assessment implemented?
Accidents and Incidents
Is there a formal procedure for reporting and recording
accidents and incidents?
Have you procedures to be followed in the event of serious
and imminent danger to people at work?
Will you report to the University all recorded accidents
involving students?
Will you report to the University any sickness involving
students which may be attributable to their work?
No