Lancaster University

•  To provide students with a basic theoretical knowledge and understanding of organisations, their management and the environment in which they operate.
• To provide students with a first-hand experience of a managerial and/or management-related role and of how organisations operate in practice.
• To provide students with an integrated understanding of the important functions within management and the way in which they interact.
• To develop students’ critical analysis of and reflection upon management issues and their ability to undertake serious, deep and well-rounded research in selected areas.
• To develop students’ adaptability and flexibility of approach and the ability to initiate and respond positively and appropriately to change.
• To prepare students for a career in management or management related fields and develop their capability to contribute to society at large.
• To enhance students’ lifelong learning skills, communication skills and personal development.

• Benefit from the integration of university study and work experience in ways that facilitate critical reflection on each in the light of the other.
• Experience the responsibilities, tasks and relationships involved in managerial work at a level appropriate to a third year undergraduate student of management.
• Gain greater practical understanding of their chosen area, where they are specialising in a particular functional or professional area.
• Gain an understanding of the ways in which their placement organisations operate and how this might relate to other organisations and management processes.
• Build personal awareness of their interests, competencies, values and potentials.
• Develop important skills, such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, team working skills, IT-related skills (where appropriate), etc.
• Develop the ability to share their work experiences and evaluations with their peers and with academic staff in order gain more from their final year of study and to assist others to do likewise.
• Increase their ability to make informed career choices.

In addition, the University expects that having students with diverse practical experiences will enhance final year modules for other students as well as those for those who have experienced a placement.

The scheme is also expected to be of value to employers of students for their work placement year.  As well as having the student to do a useful job during the year, the employer has the opportunity to see whether the student is suitable for recruitment on graduation. 

It is also expected that there will be many cases where the employer can benefit from the contact with the University, which may lead to developing relationships in research or consultancy.

See dissertation module ENTR350b

See dissertation module ENTR350b