Guidelines for any organisation or company interested in offering a placement or internship to a University of Bath Language Student.

1. Guidelines for Placement Providers
Politics, Languages & International Studies

2. “IBT Partners has been recruiting
interns from the University of
Bath for several years. We have
always found them to be hard
working, reliable and eager to
learn more about what we do.
Bath has always facilitated the
recruitment process where
possible, and been supportive
throughout the placement period.
We have developed a good working
relationship with the University of
Bath and will consequently look to
continue recruiting their students
as interns in the future.”
John Worthington, Partner
IBT Partners
Paris, France
www.bath.ac.uk/polis

3. Guidelines for Placement Providers
BA (Hons) Modern Languages and culture and politics with a contemporary focus. There is
European Studies a strong focus on transferrable skills such as team work,
presentation, research and communication throughout
(French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian) the degree. This has led to our department achieving
consistently high scores in alumni employment rankings.
BA (Hons) Language and Politics
(French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian) BA (Hons) Language and Politics
(French, Spanish, German, Italian and Russian)
The degree enables students to master one European
language and acquire the knowledge and analytical
INTRODUCTION skills to understand the social, political and economic
changes affecting the world. The course has an
The Department of Politics, Languages and International interdisciplinary approach, including perspectives
Studies is renowned for its excellence in teaching from political science, international relations, political
and learning, and for producing internationally mobile economy and cultural studies.
students that are highly employable and equipped to
face the challenges of a placement year. In addition,
University of Bath is The Sunday Times University of the SKILLS THAT A STUDENT CAN OFFER
Year for 2011/12.
• All students will have completed two years of their
All students spend the third year of their degree abroad; degree, during which time they will have gained a
either on a work placement, as an Erasmus student or solid grounding in their chosen languages as well as
as a language assistant. Typical placements include: the politics and culture of the countries where the
marketing, HR, translation, teaching and administration. languages are spoken.
These guidelines are not intended to be definitive, but • All students are confident in working as a team in
incorporate ideas and feedback gained from placement order to prepare oral presentations.
providers and students as to what constitutes a
successful placement. We hope this information will be • They are able to demonstrate initiative to assimilate
useful, especially if you have not employed a placement information quickly and to take on an increasing
student before. degree of responsibility.
In some cases the placement may be the first ‘proper’ • They are effective communicators with good
job a student has undertaken, having previously only analytical skills, and are well accustomed to working
undertaken part-time, casual or vacation work. He or in teams.
she may not have been part of a formal organisation
before. The guidelines laid out below represent good • They have excellent research skills and communicate
employment practices and as such will probably be in written form at a high level in both English and their
followed anyway. chosen foreign language(s).
• Many students undertake a unit on Teaching
THE DEGREE PROGRAMME English as a Foreign Language or achieve the CELTA
qualification during the 2nd year of their degree.
BA (Hons) Modern Languages
and European Studies • They are prepared in depth before departure for the
(French, Spanish, German, Italian and Russian) challenges of living abroad.
Students study two equally weighted languages, taught
in the context of the countries in which they are spoken.
In addition they take a range of units related to history,
The Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies is part of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences 1

4. Guidelines for Placement Providers
STUDENT PLACEMENT OBJECTIVES RECENT PLACEMENT PROVIDERS
1. Near total immersion in the target language. Our placement providers range from large multinationals
to small companies of five people. These companies
2. To develop personal and transferable skills such as: operate in a variety of fields such as marketing and
• Communication – speaking/writing/listening PR, recruitment, political lobbying, finance, tourism,
advertising, translation and education.
• Planning and time management
• Problem solving and analytical skills France/Belgium:
• Decision making Capifrance
IBT
• Working as part of a team or responding to
TBWA
leadership
NDS
• Initiative and creativity Madame Vacances
Alcatel-Lucent
3. To develop business skills such as: Alstom
• Presentation skills CBI
Simmons and Simmons
• Computer packages and database knowledge
Lycée Saint-Marie
• Business correspondence iKONE
• Project management skills
Spain/Latin America:
4. The chance to learn from direct observation and Encarna School of English
experience how other communities live and function. Madrid and Beyond
Freshfields
5. The special study (dissertation) is a compulsory part American Airlines
of the year abroad. Some students may wish to base Rimontgo
their study on an aspect of their placement. It is Open House
much appreciated if they can be assisted with this Global Insurance Group
where possible. PWC
Germany:
Ernst and Young
“The CBI has offered placements to Comet Computers
University of Bath students for several Continental Teeves
Learnship Networks
years and our experience has been CMS Hasche Sigle
overwhelmingly positive. As the voice Siemens
of British business, the CBI seeks the Zanker und Kollegen
best talent to work in its fast-paced Italy:
and driven Brussels office. Bright, Nel-Blu Language School
enthusiastic and determined, the Previnet
Unilever
students become real assets to
the team.” Russia:
Levada Centre
Naomi Harris, Senior Policy Adviser The British School
CBI
Brussels, Belgium
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5. Guidelines for Placement Providers
WORK CONTENT OF PLACEMENT THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The work programme devised for students should Students start to seek their placement at the beginning
give them the opportunity to learn and develop, and to of their second year. The Placements Officer has
assume an appropriate degree of responsibility, so that an initial briefing meeting with the whole group and
they can maximise their contribution to the organisation. individual meetings with each student. The student
It is accepted that most placements will also involve discusses the type of placement for which he/she would
some more routine work. As much as possible students like to be considered and any general location choices/
should be working in the target language. requirements.
In past placements, students have conducted research, JOB DESCRIPTION
organised recruitment, taught English, organised
events and meetings, undertaken translations, set up Placement providers are required to supply a brief (single
and administered databases, liaised with customers page) job description and web links. It should list the
or clients and generally alleviated the workload where main duties and also the skills or attributes required. It
needed. might also describe the company/organisation and its
function. It will be emailed to the relevant students and
TIMING OF PLACEMENT displayed on the University placements website – the
student’s first point of call when seeking placement
The majority of our students study two languages and opportunities.
will therefore look to complete two separate placements
of six months each. There are some students who Students apply for those placements in which they are
are able to work for nine or twelve months. Students interested under the guidance of the Placements Officer.
start to apply for placements in October or November,
with a view to starting work during the following MAKING APPLICATIONS
summer (between July and October). Those looking
for a placement starting January to March start their There are two main methods of application:
applications about a year in advance. • Sending a CV and covering letter to the employer
by email. The Placement Officer can collect and email
FINANCE IN THE PLACEMENT YEAR all applications in one batch, if preferred. Please state
which language(s) you would like the students to
Students are currently required to pay a tuition fee of apply in.
£693 for the placement year. This will change to £2,500
for students starting degrees in 2012. They are eligible • Applying online through the employer’s website.
to receive a proportion of the student loan. They are also
eligible to apply for an Erasmus grant of around 200 INTERVIEWS
Euros a month although they may not receive this until
the end of their placement. Interviews are usually conducted via Skype or telephone
or at the company premises as this gives the students
REMUNERATION a chance to see the workplace. Interviews can be
arranged on campus if the employer prefers this.
Most employers offer the student remuneration
commensurate with age and experience. This Interview travel costs, if agreed, should be reimbursed to
remuneration varies depending on country and ranges the student(s) on production of travel receipts.
from unpaid to 1,500 Euros a month. Some companies
find it easier to compensate students by providing food
and accommodation and a lower salary. Please be
aware only a limited number of students will apply for an
unpaid placement.
3

6. Guidelines for Placement Providers
OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR & INDUCTION
Students selected by the employer can be contacted It is important that the student has an induction to the
by mobile phone initially. A written offer should follow. organisation in whatever form is appropriate. Aspects
Normally, the supervisor and student agree starting which have proved most useful in the past have been:
and finishing dates, holidays and a job description.
A placement agreement is then drawn up by the • A handover period between the existing placement
Placement Officer who can also liaise with the employer student and the new one, if possible.
to set up a suitable work programme.
• An overview of the entire host organisation,
explanation of departmental structure, an introduction
Placement Agreements
to members of staff and an explanation of their roles
A formal placement agreement, a three way contract
and the communication channels.
between student, employer and the University will
be in place before the student commences their • An introduction to the use of equipment, e.g.
placement. The agreement will outline start and finish computers, copiers, scanners, books, resources,
dates, remuneration, hours of employment and any telephone system.
other relevant information. It must be signed by all three • Expectations about punctuality, attendance and a
parties. clarification of working hours.
• Sickness and absence reporting, how to book any
Should you wish to use your own placement agreement
leave, appropriate dress and other practical issues.
or contract then please send a copy to the Placement
Disciplinary and grievance procedures should be
Officer, as well as the student.
explained. Most problems on placement arise
because expectations about such ordinary aspects
The job that a student does should match that in the job
of day-to-day behaviour are not made explicit.
description and should be a ‘real’ job or project of value
to you both. • Supervisors should, very early on, discuss with
students their expectations about the work
PRE-PLACEMENT BRIEFING programme, set aims and objectives with the
students and allow time for regular reviews.
Before going on placement the students are briefed on • Supervisors should integrate the student into project
their responsibilities to the employer, work etiquette, or teamwork, and facilitate contacts with colleagues
ethical issues, the correct use of internet and email at in related fields, providing a level of social contact.
work and areas such as confidentiality at work. The
• Often it is valuable for the supervisor (who may be
briefing also informs students about the reports we
the director of the project or unit) to delegate the
require from them, and how to keep in touch with the
day-to-day supervision of the student to another
University over the placement year.
member of the staff, with whom they may more
readily relate and who may be more available.
TRAINING
• It is good practice if the student and the supervisor
It is particularly useful if students can be helped to can meet on a regular basis to discuss progress
attend training courses in IT and other areas relevant to of the placement, any future plans, how the work is
the work they are doing. Visits to other departments, if developing and to monitor progress.
time permits, are also very useful, enabling students to • We do brief the students in detail on any cultural
see the wider context of the work. differences between the UK and their chosen
country. Any further assistance you can give them on
We appreciate your patience and time in communicating cultural expectations (form of dress, modes of
with our students where possible in the target language. speech etc) is always much appreciated.
We find that if they are immersed in this language their
confidence, fluency and productivity at work increases Students are expected to develop their own initiative
extremely quickly. and find out what is going on in the place of work, but
they may need help initially in their new environment.
4

7. Guidelines for Placement Providers
ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY WHILE STUDENTS ASSESSMENT OF PLACEMENT
ARE ON PLACEMENT
Special Study
All students should keep in regular contact with the The placement year is assessed by an academic essay
Placements Officer and Personal Tutor at University written in the target language. The student may choose
whilst on placement. Should any issues arise please do to base their essay on a topic related to their placement
not hesitate to contact the Placements Officer at in which case any support you can give them is much
the University. appreciated.
VISIT BY PLACEMENT OFFICER Employer’s Placement Appraisal
A few weeks before the student finishes the placement,
The Placement Officer may visit the student during their the Supervisor will be sent an Appraisal form. The
placement however this is only possible for a limited Supervisor is asked to set aside some time to go
number of students. Often in place of a visit, students through the appraisal form with the student. The
are contacted by telephone. student will benefit from this process and can also
add comments at the end in the student section. The
The Placement Officer will arrange the visit in advance employer’s appraisal will not form part of any quantitative
with both the student and his/her supervisor to ensure assessment or marking system at the University but
sufficient time is set aside for it, normally not more than it does provide evidence that a placement has been
one hour. satisfactorily completed. It will also be extremely useful
to the student’s Personal Tutor who may be required to
During the visit, the officer will usually ask to speak to write references to support graduate job applications or
the student separately first and will then, if appropriate, entry into a post graduate course.
also speak to the supervisor separately.
ACCOMMODATION
The visit is designed to help the student and placement
provider to identify opportunities for learning, and for It is the student’s responsibility to find suitable
doing useful work for the host institution. The visit is an accommodation. However, any help employers can
important means of keeping students in touch with the provide is appreciated. If you can put the in-coming
University and generally to offer advice and support. placement student in touch with the out-going
placement student this is always very helpful.
The main purposes of the visit are can be summarised
as: INSURANCE
For the Student For the purposes of Employment Law, students, whether
• To enable the Placement Officer to see how the paid or unpaid, should be deemed ‘employees’ and be
student has settled with the host institution. included on the Employer’s Liability Insurance Schedule.
The University of Bath carries indemnity insurance
• To check that a work pattern has been established,
which covers injury or damage to a third party caused
mutually agreed by the student and supervisor.
by any negligence of placement students. A copy of the
• To discuss the development of the work programme schedule is available on request. The University provides
over the remaining months. no cover in relation to the legal liability or negligence
of the placement company. Should you not be able to
For the Placement Provider insure the student please inform the Placements Officer
• To establish closer links with the University’s Politics, who will advise the student on how to purchase their
Languages and International Studies department. own insurance.
• To discuss whether the arrangement is progressing
satisfactorily and is one that maximises the student’s
contribution to the organisation.
• To identify any problems and discuss possible action.
5

8. Guidelines for Placement Providers
HEALTH & SAFETY
‘’For many years, students from the
The University has a duty of care to ensure that students University of Bath have joined the
are placed in environments that are suitable and that
conform to local health and safety standards. Students Comet team for several months.
must be informed about health and safety regulations The intelligent and motivated students
that apply to your premises; fire exits and emergency come equipped with specific skills as
procedures, first aid facilities, accident reporting
procedures etc. well as an up-to-date overview of the
industry’s developments and become
Any accident must be reported in accordance with your fully productive at an early stage.
organisation’s procedures.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES/ ANTI-HARASSMENT We have always benefited from their
valuable skills, knowledge and fresh
The University of Bath has an Equal Opportunities policy
which states that ‘It is the University’s aim that students ideas and appreciate their help in the
are treated fairly on the basis of merit regardless challenging projects of daily work or
of age, disability, family responsibilities, gender, projects which otherwise would not be
HIV status, marital status, mental health problems,
nationality, race, religious or political views or affiliations, done due to a shortage of resources.”
sexual orientation, socio-economic background or
transsexualism’. Karin Bracher,
Comet Computers
Further details are available at: Munich, Germany
www.bath.ac.uk/vc/policy/
The University also has an Anti-Harassment code of
practice. We ask that employers uphold these policies
with regard to placement students.
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9. THE PLACEMENTS TEAM
If you would like further clarification or any additional
information, please contact:
Vicky Hill
Faculty Placements Officer
Email: V.L.Hill@bath.ac.uk
Tel: 00 44 1225 383056
Department of Politics, Languages and
International Studies
University of Bath
Bath
BA2 7AY
www.bath.ac.uk/hss/placements
www.bath.ac.uk/polis 7

10. Department of
Politics, Languages &
International Studies
www.bath.ac.uk/polis