The study programme follows a transparent, efficient work placement policy. It guarantees that every student (a) has the opportunity to undertake a high-quality work placement linked to the curriculum, and (b) receives adequate coaching throughout the process.

What? 

If you want your students to practice their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a realistic professional environment, you can include a work placement in the curriculum. 

During the work placement, students learn to work autonomously in professional practice and participate in the host institution's daily operations. While students usually undertake a work placement individually, small groups of students can do so together too.   

In the Curriculum 

A work placement is either a mandatory or an elective part of the curriculum and always yields credits. Voluntary work placements also exist, but they are not part of the student's curriculum (and do not yield credits). If a faculty chooses to allow voluntary work placements, they fall within its competence. 

What is the Role of the Programme Committee?   

Together with the lecturer-in-charge, the Programme Committee monitors each type of work placement (mandatory or elective) within the curriculum. It implements a suitable policy to ensure that every student can undertake a high-quality work placement and receive appropriate guidance.  

Together with the lecturer-in-charge, the Programme Committee is responsible for:  

• choosing work placements 
• preparing and monitoring students during their work placement 
• giving (interim) feedback to students on their performance during the work placement
• assessing the work placement.  

The Programme Committee clearly informs work placement supervisors about:  

• the learning outcomes
• the expectations regarding supervision and interim feedback  
• the assessment of the learning outcomes

If a Programme Committee chooses not to implement a work placement, it must justify this decision in the Education Monitor. 

Why? 

A work placement is a valuable investment in the curriculum and the students' future. Students benefit from a work placement in various ways:  

• they become acquainted with the professional field at home and abroad and experience a real-life professional environment first-hand;  
• they build a valuable network;  
• they grow both personally and professionally; 
• they apply their acquired knowledge and skills, which improves their understanding of the relevance of their study programme;  
• they come to understand their learning process and identify opportunities for growth—an important step toward an attitude of lifelong learning.  

For study programmes, the work placement is an added value, too: 

• it strengthens the social relevance of the programme; 
• it fosters active involvement from external partners, including companies, organisations, and alumni;  
• ultimately, it helps the Programme Committee keep abreast of and adapt to today's and tomorrow's challenges.