How does the placement for the Applied Project work?

We place students with external organisations for 10-12 weeks to work part-time on a self-contained project, defined by the organisation.  The students can collect data, do surveys, develop case study material, review forthcoming legislation - whatever is useful. 

What kind of students do a placement?

Third-year undergraduate students and Masters students in geography or environmental studies, so they have a broad range of skills and interests.

What does the external organisation have to do?

There is no direct cost involved, but we ask that someone provide guidance for the student on a part-time basis.  As a rough average, students spend ten hours per week working on their project but where and when will vary: some organisations like students to spend at least a day a week on-site, especially in the early stages, but others prefer students to work more off-site, in libraries or at home.  The external supervisor can organise a working pattern for the student that suits both them and the project.

When are the placements?

Placements run part-time twice a year, either from October to December (with final reports due in mid-January) or from February to May (with final reports due in mid-May).

What does the external organisation get out of it?

The student produces a report at the end of the placement for the organisation and this includes all their findings, data and case studies.  Placements have run successfully for years, with very positive feedback from both private and public sector organisations (see below) about the contribution to management decisions and practical initiatives.  Sometimes students produce outputs for the organisation in addition to the report, such as doing a presentation or making a poster: again, arrangements for this are up to the student and their external supervisor.

What do the student and the University get out of it?

The student’s report is copied to the Department of Geography to be marked by us as part of the student’s degree.  The student can learn through the experience of working in a ‘real world’ situation on a practical project outside the University, thus developing their transferable skills in project management in a workplace environment.  As well as enhancing student learning, the University of Hull can also build better links with external organisations and graduate employers. 

What kind of projects do students do on their placements?

Projects are usually suggested by the external organisation, in discussion with University staff. Students can do surveys, review material, compile data and assess land-use.  In the past, many projects have been related to planning and environmental policy, but we can also cover projects in social policy and public services.  Listed below are some examples of previous placement projects, with comments from external supervisors where available (quoted with permission).

Waste Management Opportunities for Social Enterprises in the Humber Sub-region (for Kingston-upon-Hull City Council in 2005)  Comments: “The management of this project and the resulting report show clearly that the student rose to the challenge and produced an excellent piece of work.”

Container Recycling Opportunities (for Smith and Nephew in 2005) “The quality of analysis and scope of argument are very good... A very relevant and useful document that reviews enquiries already made in the past (and largely forgotten) by S+N personnel but more importantly suggests some practical ways forward.”

Analysis of Recycling Habits of Hull Businesses (for Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce in 2003) Comments: “I was impressed by the way the student was able to synthesise my loose areas of potential interest into a cogent and relatively concise questionnaire for recycling and then by the speed and efficacy with which he was able to compute the replies of the questionnaire into the report format. Indeed, these twin characteristics of clear understanding and efficiency characterised all the student’s work for me.”

Preparation for IPPC licence (for Unilever, Hull, in 2003)  Comments: “The aims… were achieved to a high standard…  Relevance and usefulness, to me 100%.  Structure and presentation quality: fine.  Experience of working with the student was very pleasant and reassuring to know that the future is still bright.  The quality of the input from the student has left me in no doubt that the experience should be repeated.”

Barriers to participation in recycling and The current status of local waterways as wildlife corridors (both for Bransholme Green Enterprise in 2003)  Comments: “I would like to say what a pleasure it was working with both students.  They were both interested and enthusiastic in the areas of work that were put forward and I think that shows in the quality of the reports.  They both put a lot of work into the research and report production.  The reports are of a professional appearance with a good use of graphics.”

Review of environmental management (for Arco, Hull, in 2002)  Comments: “I found the report very well presented, easy to read and understand, the student had put a lot of research and thought into what she did.  It makes an excellent reference document, and many of the recommendations we intend to consider very seriously.”

Survey of Fairshare Programme for funding community networks and groups (for Kingston-upon-Hull City Council in 2003)  Comments: “The student handled this assignment extremely well.  He was able to take the project aims that we supplied and turn them into a practical exercise of collecting and analysing information…  I have enjoyed reading the final report.  I found the analysis both relevant and interesting and the document well structured and well presented.” 

Domestic waste recycling review (for Kingston-upon-Hull City Council in 2001)  Comments: “The report has provided Hull City Council with an excellent snapshot of mini recycling site usage.  The report could not be more relevant...  The report was well structured, clearly presented and easy to read.”

To find out more or request a placement student, contact:

Dr Sally Eden  (direct tel 01482 46 6067, email s.e.eden@hull.ac.uk)