Embedding work placements in taught postgraduate programmes –

An Institutional response to PTES

Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Stirling

Sue RigbyAssistant Principal

University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh

Masters provision – why we care about it

A growth area as uncappedAverage student has work experience, a first

degree and is 24-30International potential

A poorly mapped set of degreesCapable of genuine innovation and development

University of Edinburgh

Work related learning – a Scottish driver for change

SFC seeks to embed work related learning and employer engagement into all taught programmes

Funding available to support such initiatives

University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh

Why PTES results made us act at Institutional level -

Table 19: Students’ views on skills and personal developmentQuestion % agree

The programme has developed my research skills 78%12b The programme has developed my transferable skills 78%12c As a result of the programme I am more confident aboutindependent learning 75%12f As a result of the programme, I feel confident in tacklingunfamiliar problems 67%12d The programme has helped me to present myself withConfidence 66%12e As a result of the programme my communication skills haveImproved 64%

Changing the typical pattern of a masters degree

180 points120 taught

60 ‘research’, May – August

Proposal will allow students to replace dissertation with a work-related independent project

University of Edinburgh

Focus of bid and potential

Focus – employment areas prioritised by Scottish Government

SMEs and other businesses new to Universities involved

Numbers – around 60 in year 1, rising to around 400 in year 3

Potential – improve employability of studentsPort out intellectual capital from Unis to companies

Create enduring links between individuals across the University ‘wall’

Make the Universities some functional friends

University of Edinburgh

Main elements of project

1. Get masters students working as ‘consultants’ to employers

2. Ensure that we can regulate this activity and assess results

3. Wrap reflection on PG attributes and employability around the placement, using taught materail and PDPs

Aims: Build masters students who know they can tackle unfamiliar problems, communicate effectively and be confident that they will thrive in the workoplace post

masters

University of Edinburgh