© 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires,the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

INS1GHT Opportunities 2009It’s good to explore. Particularly when it comes to your career. That’swhy we’ve developed a number of Work Experience programmes togive undergraduates like you a better feel for who we are and what we do. Our INS1GHT Days and week-long INS1GHT Academy willgive you a useful introduction to the world of business. We can also open up the wider world to you. As well as six to ten-weeksummer internships, we have an International Internship which will see you spending time in one of our UK offices before heading off for a placement overseas. And our six and eleven-month sandwichplacements can also be arranged to include an international element.Whatever INS1GHT path is right for you, visit our website to find outwhy we’re the one firm for all inquisitive individuals.

pwc.com/uk/careers/

Text: PwC to 85792(Texts charged at your standard network rate.)

We value diversity in our people.

AssuranceTaxFinancial AdvisoryActuarialConsulting

Requirements:280 - 340 UCAStariff or equivalentdepending onentry route

D SCOVER

This handbook is available on www.BathStudent.com/placements and in other alternative formats for students who require it.

Contact 01225 (38) 6612 to request an alternative format.

This Publication was produced by University of Bath Students’ Union

Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY 01225 386612

fax: 01225 444061

Contents

3

4 5 6 8 1012 14 17 18 1920 2122 24 2526 27

© 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires,the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

INS1GHT Opportunities 2009It’s good to explore. Particularly when it comes to your career. That’swhy we’ve developed a number of Work Experience programmes togive undergraduates like you a better feel for who we are and what we do. Our INS1GHT Days and week-long INS1GHT Academy willgive you a useful introduction to the world of business. We can also open up the wider world to you. As well as six to ten-weeksummer internships, we have an International Internship which will see you spending time in one of our UK offices before heading off for a placement overseas. And our six and eleven-month sandwichplacements can also be arranged to include an international element.Whatever INS1GHT path is right for you, visit our website to find outwhy we’re the one firm for all inquisitive individuals.

pwc.com/uk/careers/

Text: PwC to 85792(Texts charged at your standard network rate.)

We value diversity in our people.

AssuranceTaxFinancial AdvisoryActuarialConsulting

Requirements:280 - 340 UCAStariff or equivalentdepending onentry route

D SCOVERWelcome Message

University Commitment

Being a Student on Placement

Code of Conduct for Students

Going Abroad

Starting Your Placement

Being prepared for your Placement

Your Health Money Matters

Access to Funds

Checklist Before You Go

While on Placement

Health & Safety at Work

Know Your Rights

Returning to University

Sponsors Message (PwC)

Useful Contacts

Discrimination & Harassment

Your Sabbatical Officers

Going on placement can be one of the best experiences of your life, but may be quite daunting at first. This handbook will give you advice and information on how to best prepare and organise yourself beforehand, and some useful guidance for when you are settling into your placement.

Whilst away on placement and registered with the University, you remain as much a part of the Bath University Students’ Union as when you were studying on your campus. You can keep up to date with what’s happening here through BathStudent.com and getting in contact by phone or email.

If at any time whilst you are away you experience a difficulty that you need help with, whether it be academic or welfare related, don’t hesitate to get in contact with the Academic and Welfare Centre (AWARE).

Placement Handbook 2009

AWARE is here for all students and can advise you on a whole range of issues.

AWARE Centre (Academic & Welfare Advice & Representation)

01225 386906 aware@bath.ac.uk

Geoerge Charonis Vice President (Education 09/10)

Katie Mabery Vice President (Education 08/09)

sueducation@bath.ac.uk

Scarlett Seager Vice President (Welfare and Diversity 09/10)

Helen Sawyer Vice President (Welfare and Campaigns 08/09)

sucampaigns@bath.ac.uk

During your time on placement your union will keep in touch with you through a series of newsletters from your SU President. However, in between newsletters it is a good idea to keep an eye on BathStudent.com

4

As a student of the University of Bath, you

can expect a certain level of commitment

from the University in assisting you to

organise the work and to support you during

your placement year. This has been written

into a code of practice for both Placement

Officers and students.

You can expect that the University will:• Provide full information about the requirements of the placement to you.

• Provide (if possible) job descriptions of vacancies, deadline dates, methods of application and background information about the employer.

• Ensure that prospective employers meet appropriate health and safety standards.

• Inform you of the support you will receive, including tutor visits or campus weekends.

• Ensure that your progress is monitored.

• Arrange debriefings and collect reports from visiting tutors.

• Coordinate any placement assessment processes.

The full version of the code of practice can be found on the University website at: www.bath.ac.uk/placements

If you feel that any of these commitments are not being upheld, speak to your Placement Tutor or contact the AWARE centre in the Students’ Union.

University Commitment to Placement Students

5

Being a Student on Placement

BathStudent.comYou can keep up to date with everything that is happening here at Bath by registering with BathStudent.com. This can be done from any computer that is connected to the World Wide Web. On BathStudent.com, you will find news and headlines that will be of interest to you.

You can also find out what is going on in Students’ Union meetings and what is happening in each department. You can access welfare advice and information through the AWARE pages, find out what clubs and societies are up to, and what is happening in the Plug and Elements.

By selecting your interests on your BathStudent.com profile, you can opt in to receive lots of information and details of opportunities that you may be interested in directly to your email account or mobile phone.

Union/Library CardThe University of Bath Students’ Union is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). Your NUS card will be combined with your library card - all students who registered last year will have a card that will be valid this year and throughout their studies.

NUS ExtraThe NUS Extra is a premium discount card for students. Packed with offers and vouchers designed to save you money, the NUS Extra card helps you to make the most of student life.

For more information on current discounts deals visit: www.nus.org.uk

Whilst you are on placement you remain a registered

student and a member of the University. You are as much a

part of the Students’ Union as when you were studying on

your campus. You are also as much a part of the University

itself as when you were studying full time.

6

7

Clubs & SocietiesYou are still able to join as many or as few societies as you like while you are on placement.

Please note though that the membership fee is still applicable and at the same rate.

ISIC CardsStudents going abroad may also want to consider purchasing an International Student Card (ISIC) as this will give them student status in many countries. Cards are available from the STA Travel Shop on campus on production of your NUS card.

You will still need to register with the University, visit: www.bath.ac.uk /student-records/getreg/index.html or contact 01225 383127 or email: registration@bath.ac.uk

ElectionsWhen you are on placement you still have a right to vote in the Students’ Union General Elections in March. You will also have the right to vote in any by-elections, or referendums that might occur during the course of the year. All details of elections can be found on BathStudent.com or you can email sabbs@bath.ac.uk if what you want to know isn’t there.

You can stand for a Sabbatical Officer post while you are on placement. It is more complicated if you are away from Bath, but it is possible and it has been done in the past! You will need to arrange for someone to campaign on your behalf in Bath and to speak for you at hustings if you cannot attend yourself.

Contact the Students’ Union Reception on 01255 386612 for more information.

Students should:• Attend ALL required placement briefings and debriefings organised by individual and central University departments,

• Behave appropriately at ALL times (before, during, after, in and out of work) acting to enhance the reputation of all parties involved.

• An appropriate learning experience,

• Be aware of their responsibility to find a suitable placement by the due date,

• Be aware that their responsibility to prepare for and show commitment to the placement begins upon enrolment,

• Make full use of individual departmental and central University assistance and support,

• Understand and adhere to any assessment requirements for placement,

During recruitment, students should:• Ensure that all applications are well researched, presented and meet specified requirements,

• Contact their Placements Tutor and/or potential placement provider with reasonable notice should they wish to withdraw their application or are unable to keep an appointment for a valid reason,

• Be prompt in replying to communications from potential placement providers and departmental Placements Staff,

• Inform Placement Staff of any speculative applications and obtain approval for any placement offered PRIOR to acceptance,

• Recognise that both the offer of a placement and its acceptance – including a firm verbal acceptance via Departmental Staff – form a contract.

Code of Conduct for Students

Students should be aware of their rights to:

•A safe working environment •Be treated in accordance with applicable legislation

8

5 10

15 20

After placement, students should:• Submit all required assessment materials by the due date and attend any organised debriefings,

• Reflect on and evaluate their placement and share their experiences with potential new placement students,

• Comply with any terms and conditions that still apply after the placement has ended.

Students should be aware of their rights to:

•A safe working environment •Be treated in accordance with applicable legislation

Once placed but prior to commencement, students should:• Submit promptly all requested details and paperwork to the department,

• Recognise that it is their responsibility to find suitable placement accommodation,

• Clarify the contact they will have with their department whilst they are on placement, including frequency and whether or not they will receive visits.

During placement, students should:• Submit properly all requested details and paperwork to the department,

• Recognise that it is their responsibility to find suitable placement accommodation,

• Comply with all reasonable requests from the employer and inform Placements Staff of any changes,

• Take every opportunity to optimise their learning experience,

• Return required contact details and paperwork within the timeframes set by the department,

• Act within the terms and conditions laid down by their placement provider and comply with relevant Health and Safety regulations,

• Not give notice to their placement provider without first consulting their Placements Tutor,

• Inform their Placements Tutor of any problems that cannot be resolved at a local level,

• Before finishing the placement, ensure all requirements of both placement provider and department have been met.

This document is intended to provide guidance to all students

undertaking a placement as part of a programme of study, regardless of subject, format or department. It has

been approved by the Placement Tutors Forum.

9

AccommodationOne of the most important things to find out before you go on placement is where you will be living, what accommodation is available and how much it will cost.

When you are investigating placements include this as one of the things to find out at your interview or visit.

If you intend signing a housing contract in the UK, staff at AWARE are able to check this through with you.

If you are going abroad, ask your company or organisation whether or not they can arrange for some short term accommodation for your arrival until you have a chance to find your own place. If you will be in Britain, try and visit the area you will want to live in before you start to find your accommodation.

Council TaxIn the UK, under the current legislation, houses occupied only by students are “exempt dwellings” and are therefore NOT liable for Council Tax. Students on placement will be exempt.

You should contact the Council Office when you move in to inform them of your student status. They will need to see written evidence of this - send a photocopy of your University Registration e-mail or a confirmation letter together with a letter explaining your circumstances, and your names and address. You can get proof of your student status by contacting the Registry Enquiry Office at towhom@bath.ac.uk

If there are students and non-students living in your property it is more complicated. If there is only one non-student living in the property, a 25% sole occupier discount is applicable. This is because the students are treated as invisible. A property with more than one non-student living in it will qualify to pay the full amount of council tax.

It is very important that if you are going to be living with one or more non-students that you decide who will be paying this bill. Students are treated as invisible when calculating the tax, but your housemates may find it unfair for you not to contribute.

It is worth remembering that non-students may be able to claim Council Tax Benefit if they are on a low income.

Being prepared for your Placement

If you intend signing a housing contract in the UK, staff at AWARE are able to check this through with you.

10

11

Contents InsuranceIt is always necessary to insure your property irrespective of what country you are in. Investigate a range of policies and get the one that suits you best. Be honest about costing up your property so you can be sure to have the right amount of cover should anything be damaged or stolen.

Personal InsuranceWherever you go on placement, it is essential to take out insurance as it is not safe to assume your employer will always be responsible for insurance. In the case of injury at work in the UK, if it can be shown that you have not followed the Health and Safety at Work Act despite all reasonable attempts by your employer to train and inform you of how to work safely, you may not be covered by an insurance policy. Furthermore, if you injure yourself during your leisure time while on placement, you are unlikely to be covered by an employer’s policy.

When you begin your placement, check with the Personnel Department to see if they have extra insurance or any scheme that you could join to cover you at work. It would also be prudent to investigate this before your placement to help you with budgeting for the year.

Health InsuranceOutside the UK, health insurance and personal liability insurance are regarded as necessities. You are advised to take out additional medical cover, since medical treatment is unlikely to be free if you are working abroad.

Read the leaflet “Health Advice for Travellers” - pick one up free from the Post Office. This is a country by country guide to obtaining medical treatment. For most EU countries, you can apply for a refund of most of the cost of emergency treatment, providing you were treated in a state hospital or clinic, or visited by a doctor operating a state-aided service. The system is similar to entitlement under the Health Service in the UK.

Making a claimBefore buying a policy, check how you would go about making a claim.

Are you allowed to get private treatment, as not every doctor or hospital will accept state-funded patients or insurance restricting cover to the same as provided by the state? A good policy will include travel home for medical treatment and possessions insurance. For those studying abroad, your LEA may contribute to the cost of insurance if the placement is an essential part of your course.

ExclusionsRead the small print - make sure that the policy is suitable for placements. Exclusion may be on the grounds of pre-existing medical conditions. Endsleigh have agreed to cover people with asthma, diabetes or epilepsy under certain conditions, so do check. Another exclusion is cover for anything that happened whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Please be aware that many annual travel insurance policies (such as the one that may come with your credit card) will probably not cover placements. Although they may be annual policies, most of them have a limit on the maximum continuous duration of cover, eg not more than one month at a time, which would exclude most placements.

Personal LiabilityGreater importance is placed on having cover in countries where medical treatment is chargeable.(Be careful in France and Germany, where your employer will not give you liability cover, but expect you to get your own.)

As a condition of your placement, you need a policy as much for the protection of other employees as anything else. Policies sold in Britain exclude liability cover in connection with your occupation. Endsleigh Insurance can offer cover for administrative work to students on placement.

Your Health

12

13

Free prescriptions: UK ONLY

To get free prescriptions (e.g medicines) and other health service benefits you need to be on a low income.

You will need to complete HC1 forms to claim free prescriptions, help with dental treatment and the cost of eye tests. These forms are available from the Post Office, and from the AWARE Centre. You may get some costs paid so it is worth filling it in and sending it off.

DoctorsREGISTER WITH A LOCAL GP. Don’t wait until you are ill.

Names and addresses are held at the main post offices, or see www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk to find a GP in the UK.

You don’t need a doctor’s certificate for the first seven days of illness, but after that you will need a certificate. Follow company guidelines on illness and their procedures for reporting absence due to illness.

Dental TreatmentRegister with a dental centre. Don’t wait until you have a problem with your teeth. Try to find a dentist who provides NHS treatment. If you don’t do this, you may be treated as a private patient and asked to pay the full cost. As a student you may

be able to get help with the cost of dental treatment, complete and send away an HC1 form as you might be able to get help with the costs.

Sick PayAlmost all employees should receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they are absent from work due to illness for 4 consecutive days. If for some reason you do not qualify for SSP, you may be entitled to claim incapacity benefit. However, this benefit depends on your work history, and so you may not be entitled to it if you have not worked before.

If you have not worked before you may be able to claim Income Support.

Contact AWARE for information and advice from the DSS, but this needs to be done quickly in order to claim your maximum entitlement.

Your Health

Placements abroadBefore you leave Britain, you ought to find out what the country’s procedure is for medical and dental treatment. It will depend on whether you are there as a student in full-time education or whether you are working. If you are not paying compulsory national insurance contributions in the country you are able to use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card. An EHIC is the document that confirms entitlement to health care across all member states, further information is available from the website, www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.

BenefitsPart of the legislation that heralded the introduction of the Student Loans Scheme in September 1990 also took most students who are in full time education out of the benefit system completely. This means that most students are not allowed to claim housing benefit or income support for the duration of their course.

There are certain students who can claim, these are:

• A single parent who has a child under 16. • A student aged over pension age. • Some students with a disability.

On placement, you may be entitled to some other benefits and other financial support. Overseas students working in Britain are unlikely to be eligible for any benefits and if you or your family claim, it could affect your right to stay in the UK.

Tuition FeesWhilst on placement, you will still have to pay course fees. You will need to complete the Student Loan form PR1, there are separate sections if you are on a paid or unpaid placement. You may face difficulties if you fail to apply to your LEA well in advance of your placement.

For more information about paying fees when on placement visit:

www.bath.ac.uk/students/ money-service/

Student LoansThe Student Money Service strongly advises you to take out your student loan entitlement in a placement year, think of it as an ‘insurance’ against future need. If you don’t require it immediately, deposit the money in a savings account which pays interest greater than the loan interest. Remember, the maximum Student Loan is around £300 less for final year students. Check that your department has advised the Registry of the first day of your placement. If the Registry has not informed the SLC of the actual date, the first instalment of the Loan will not be paid until the first day of the University of Bath term.

Money Matters

14

15

Income TaxIncome Tax is paid on all taxable income and is worked out for the tax year, which runs from 6th April to 5th April each year. If your income is less than your combined tax allowances and reliefs in any tax year, you will not have to pay Income Tax.

For information on tax allowances, contact the Student Money Service on 01225 38 6968.

Your employer will deduct the tax before paying you. You may be able to claim back all or part of the tax you have paid. If you earn less than your tax-free allowance in the tax year (April to April), you will be able to claim back all the tax you have paid.

You should usually claim back your tax after the end of the financial year by submitting a P60 and a P45 (you will need to supply a covering letter requesting the Inland Revenue to consider the possibility of a tax refund). However, if you can confirm to the tax office that you are not going to undertake further paid employment before April, you can request a P50 form and submit your P45 issued by the employer at the end of employment in order to receive your tax back for your placement.

www.studenttaxadvice.org.uk

Tax abroad & UK tax on earnings overseasEach country has its own method of dealing with the earnings of non-residents. Overseas earnings are liable to UK tax in most circumstances other than complete absence from the UK for a whole tax year.

It may be the case that you will have to pay tax both abroad and in the UK, depending on the tax laws and treaties between the two countries. Most countries have arrangements that allow you to pay tax once only, but we advise that you check the facts before you go.

You can get details from the Revenue Authorities of the countries involved. The UK Inland Revenue Office may be able to help, or you can go to the Student Money Service here on campus in Bath.

National InsuranceNational Insurance contributions give entitlement to some social security benefits known as contributory benefits. If you are earning in excess of £95 per week you will have a percentage of your wages deducted by your employer to pay National Insurance contributions. These contributions will make it more likely that you will be able to receive certain benefits in the future. Both you and your employer make contributions and the percentage varies according to your earnings. You can expect to pay 10% and your employer will pay 12.2%.

If the firm you work for has an occupational pension scheme and you are part of this, you may be able to pay a lower percentage. However, the contribution to the company scheme and NI is likely to be higher than NI alone. Retirement benefits earned in one year of contributions to a company scheme are unlikely to be high: check carefully to see whether joining the company scheme will be worth while, as you will be able to “opt-out” if you wish.

If you are financed by an LEA grant while on placement, you will not have any tax or National Insurance to pay.

Student Money ServiceIf you have any financial trouble at all while away on placement, you can go to or call the Student Money Service (SMS) here on campus in Bath. They offer confidential help and advice on issues such as budgeting, debt management, negotiations with LEAs and banks and help in maximising income. The SMS also produce a leaflet specifically for placement students - remember to pick one up before you leave (also available online via the SMS webpages).

If you are having financial difficulties before you go, then don’t let the problem escalate - go and see the SMS as soon as you can.

Money Matters

16

Learning FundsThe Access to Learning Fund is administered by the University and exists to help students with financial difficulties. The amount available is limited and priority will be given to students with exceptional needs, eg single parents who require assistance with child care, mature students with dependants, emergency expenditure etc. Money from the fund is available to UK undergraduate students, including placement students. EU/overseas students can apply to the University’s Hardship Fund.

Undergraduate UK students must apply for the full amount of Student Loan available to them before they can be considered. You can apply for part of this fund at any time, but please be aware that administrators of these funds are not very sympathetic to situations that could have been sensibly foreseen. Contact one of the advisors at the Student Money Service for advice if you are in any doubt about your funding before you fully commit to a placement.

Student Money Service Wessex House 2.33 01225 386968 studentmoney@bath.ac.uk

International AwardsIt is possible for you to use your placement as an opportunity to study abroad in a European University. There are exchange agreements between our University and others in Europe, so that it is still formally recognised as part of the degree. The scheme is called SOCRATES. If you choose to do this, you may be able to receive a supplement to your LEA grant to contribute to the extra costs arising from studying abroad.

This award is not automatic, but to apply for it, or to find out more details, contact the Study Abroad Administrator on 01225 386766.

Access to Funds

17

• Make sure that you have contact details for your friends before you leave, e-mails, addresses, phone numbers.

• Talk to students in the year above you about their experiences on placement - pick up helpful tips!

• Attend your departmental briefings.

• Prepare in advance of your placement and think about what you want to get out of it, what skills you want to develop and what you want to learn. An excellent starting point is keyskillsonline, which is available via the careers service website.

• Send your Placement Officer your contact details ASAP, so they can keep in touch with you.

• Complete and send back any forms or information required to your Placements Officer promptly.

• Check that you have had a Health and Safety induction before starting work.

• Make sure that you register for the correct course programme and have told your LEA. For information on how to register, visit www.bath.ac.uk/registration-on-line

• Make sure that you are familiar with your programme requirements (eg assessments).

• Have any dental or medical treatment and eye tests before you go and renew any prescriptions.

• Pack this handbook!

Checklist Before You Go

18

• Make sure that you have contact details for your friends before you leave, e-mails, addresses, phone numbers.

• Talk to students in the year above you about their experiences on placement - pick up helpful tips!

• Attend your departmental briefings.

• Prepare in advance of your placement and think about what you want to get out of it, what skills you want to develop and what you want to learn. An excellent starting point is keyskillsonline, which is available via the careers service website.

• Send your Placement Officer your contact details ASAP, so they can keep in touch with you.

• Complete and send back any forms or information required to your Placements Officer promptly.

• Check that you have had a Health and Safety induction before starting work.

• Make sure that you register for the correct course programme and have told your LEA. For information on how to register, visit www.bath.ac.uk/registration-on-line

• Make sure that you are familiar with your programme requirements (eg assessments).

• Have any dental or medical treatment and eye tests before you go and renew any prescriptions.

• Pack this handbook!

TravelMake sure that you have a valid passport (and work permit, if required) and if applicable have obtained an EHIC. If you are travelling by car, keep your license and insurance with you at all times to avoid on the spot fines. If travelling by air, make sure that you keep valuables and an extra set of clothes in your hand luggage. Do take out travel insurance, as baggage has a tendency to go missing.

Resident’s PermitOn arrival, check with your employer or tutor how to go about getting a resident’s permit as many countries outside the UK require you to have one. There is often a small amount of bureaucracy attached, but nothing that a good phrasebook and a bit of patience can’t solve!

AccommodationIf you are living in a large city, be careful of the high cost of accommodation. Ensure that you have good access to public transport and that the area is well lit at night. Do not pay people or an agency to look for accommodation for you. Often they will only come up with the properties that are advertised in the local papers and you could end up losing quite a lot of money.

Look out for local newspaper accommodation sections, English language newspapers, adverts in bookshops and around university buildings. Some towns also have websites where you may be able to find accommodation lists.

Bank AccountsIt’s not always necessary to open a bank account overseas, but it is more convenient. If your wages are paid into your UK account, you could use your switch facility to withdraw cash from overseas at a small charge. It sometimes works out cheaper than arranging for international transfers from your UK to an overseas account. Check this out with your bank.

Going Abroad

When you go abroad on placement, you will have lots of extra things to remember. Not only will you have to adjust to a new place of work or study, but you will also have to adapt to a new culture and way of life. You should try as far as possible to adapt your own behaviour to local culture.

19

Safety & SecurityIt is advisable to avoid areas around railway or bus stations after dark and to take a taxi whenever you return home late. In big cities you should certainly exercise caution at night and beware of pickpockets. Never keep your keys and wallet together.

UniversityIf you are studying at a university, you should be able to have access to the equivalent Students’ Union, which will entitle you to everything from welfare support to sports facilities and discounts. Remember that you still remain a full member of the University of Bath Students’ Union and are entitled to receive support and access to facilities here where appropriate given the distance involved.

Starting Your Placement

CommunicationAlthough your department will do their best to visit you on your placement, it is quite costly to fly staff all around the world, so it’s vital that you stay in close contact with your Placement Tutor

When you arrive at your place of work there will undoubtedly be a number of things about which you are unclear. Everybody gets that feeling of being the new person, but try not to be too anxious. Someone at work should be appointed as your supervisor. They will be the person to answer any queries and help you settle in.

It is recommended that you meet with your supervisor or manager when you begin your placement and set objectives for yourself. Also, agree that you will meet regularly to review your progress and to receive feedback. Make sure that you get a final review before you leave.

You will also have a placement tutor in your department at University, who should be your point of contact if there is a problem that cannot be resolved with your supervisor. You can also contact the AWARE centre in the Students’ Union for advice if you feel unable to contact your department.

Ensure that some assessment and a debriefing occurs with your Placement Tutor. It is always a valuable exercise to review your time on placement and to assess its relevance to your academic work. Some departments ask you to do a presentation and/or report, so collect information while you are still on placement and don’t leave it until the last minute!

20

While on Placement

Getting out thereWherever you go on placement there will probably be lots of clubs, societies or community/social groups to join. Check out notice boards in libraries, community centres and shopping centres – social groups and churches often advertise on these and would welcome new members.

Ask at your local tourist information centre for local attractions and places of interest, so that you can explore the area and get the opportunity to meet new people. Your place of work might have an active social side, which you can join in with.

Don’t be afraid to try out new things, remember if you don’t like something, you don’t have to do it again, but there is absolutely no harm in trying it out!

London Travel Discount If your placement is in London you can get a student travel card valid on all London transport. You need to get a letter confirming your placement status from your department and then

Call 0845 330 9876 for more info or visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/2974.aspx

• Behave appropriately at all times (during, after, in and out of work) acting to enhance the reputation of all parties involved.

• Inform your Placements Officer of any problems that cannot be resolved at a local level.

• Do not give notice to your placement provider without first consulting your Placements Officer.

• Before finishing the placement, ensure all requirements of both placement provider and Department have been met.

• Take reasonable safety precautions – do not travel alone or on foot if it’s dark or late. Carry a mobile phone, identification and a personal alarm with you. A small, high-powered torch is useful. Let someone know your whereabouts.

21

Action to be taken in an emergencyBecause of the wide variety of workplaces attended, it is not possible to produce a set of emergency instructions to cover every situation, so each employer has its own emergency instructions relating to particular buildings. There should be a notice in every building setting out the procedures to be adopted in case of a fire. Make sure that you read these instructions and understand them, as you will not have time to read them in an emergency.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974This Act introduces the concept of duty care for all those associated with work activities. It aims to secure the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, as well as to protect the safety and welfare of those persons who may be affected indirectly. The main provisions of this Act are to place various duties upon employers, employees and providers to create a safe environment to work in.

Health & Safety at Work

Safety RepresentativesIf you have queries or concerns about health and safety on your placement you can seek advice from your supervisor, a more senior manager, a safety representative (possibly from a trade union), or the safety officer employed by the organisation. Alternatively, contact your Placement Tutor or the Safety Unit at the University on 01225 386834 or email safety@bath.ac.uk

You have a right to know how you may be harmed by your work, and you have a right to a safe workplace.

For more information, visit the Health & Safety Executive website at: www.hse.gov.uk

The employer must, as far as is reasonably practicable:• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others

• Provide safe plant and system work

• Ensure safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances

• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision

• Maintain a safe place of work and safe means of access and exit

• Provide Health and Safety equipment free of charge

22

23

As an employee you must:• Take reasonable care for yourself and for others

• Cooperate with your employer and use safety appliances provided

• Not recklessly and wilfully interfere with safety appliances or equipment

General Safety at WorkThe prevention of accidents at work is everyone’s duty. Ensuring the safety of others is as important as the avoidance of personal injury.

You should familiarise yourself with:• The layout of the building – getting out of the building in an emergency may be different to the way you normally use or different from the way you came in.

• The location of telephones and first aid arrangements.

• Who to contact, and how to contact them, in case of emergency.

Health & Safety on Overseas PlacementsThe legal standards for Health, Safety and Welfare should be similar within most of Europe, Australasia and North America. However, outside these areas the standards may be less strict, and it may be necessary to take greater care for your own safety and welfare within the workplace.

Rights

Sexual HarassmentSexual harassment can include suggestive or derogatory remarks; unnecessary and unwelcome physical contact; displaying offensive material (eg pornography); unwelcome requests for sexual encounters; written abuse; indecent exposure; sexual/ physical assault.

Associated with sexual harassment is explicit or implicit promised rewards for cooperation; explicit or implicit threats of punishment or penalty; intimidation creating a hostile or offensive environment.

Racial HarassmentRacial harassment can include verbal or written abuse; racist graffiti or symbols; derogatory name calling, insults or jokes; racist assumptions; exclusion from social conversation or events; ridicule of an individual for cultural differences, threats or physical attack.

Other forms of discrimination or harassment include persistent teasing; homophobic remarks; comments about personal characteristics; comments about disabilities; unfounded criticism of performance; or persistent phone calls, electronic mail or letters.

This can be because of the religious beliefs; age; health; past criminal record; physical/ mental disability; being diagnosed as HIV positive; or responsibilities for dependants.

The defining features of harassment are that the behaviour is unwanted by the recipient and would be regarded as harassment by any reasonable person.

Discrimination & Harassment

If you encounter any kind of discrimination whilst on

your placement, do not assume that there is nothing you can do

about it. The Students’ Union or the University’s Human Resources

department Equalities Unit can support you and help you to sort out the situation. It may be well worth asking for a copy of the company’s

equal opportunities statement and policy when starting your

placement.

Contact the Equalities Unit on 01225 383098 or email equalsdiv@bath.ac.uk

24

Rights

Rights

If you have a problem at your place of work, first consult your placement tutor; if they are unable to help seek advice from the AWARE centre here in the Students’ Union. However, if you have a problem at work, it is only your trade union that can fully represent you.

The NUS and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have set out an action plan to inform students of their rights at work.

The TUC is an organisation, which represents over seven million working people in the country. You can call the TUC Know your rights line to order information leaflets on your rights and for information on other workplace issues.

Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities should consult the Learning Support Service regarding their placement support when they are arranging their placement. UK students who have a Disabled Students Allowance can update their assessment of needs for requirements on placement. Non UK disabled students will be also receive advice and information. The Disabled Students Allowance is not paid during a paid full year placement. If this affects you seek advice from the Student Money Service.

The Learning Support Service can also advise on the disability related aspects of your work for reference, if needed.

Some students may develop or have a disability identified when on placement. If this happens, you should contact the Learning Support Service as soon as you can, in order that your needs can be assessed and arrangements made to support your return to university.

Know Your Rights

Contact TUC 0870 600 4882

(national rate) www.tuc.org.uk

Learning Support Unit

learningsupport@bath.ac.uk

25

On your return to Bath, you will be expected to find your own accommodation. However, it is recognised that for some of you, this will not be easy, especially if your placement ends late or you are working abroad.

The University tries to help a proportion of returning finalists, and priority is given to those who have been on placement abroad, especially if the placement finishes very late into the summer. However, demand for these limited spaces is high, and it is strongly recommended that you submit the relevant application form (obtainable from the Accommodation Office) before the end of February. University Accommodation is not normally available to returning students, especially during the Autumn session. Flexibility can improve after Christmas, so if you are returning from placement in January or February, you should make contact with the Accommodation office to see what is available.

For those needing to find private sector accommodation, don’t forget that you can access the University’s Private Sector Lettings Database via the Accommodation web page.

Contact the Accommodation Office: 01225 383111 accommodation@bath.ac.uk or visit: www.bathstudentpad.co.uk

LEA FormsEnsure your Local Education

Authority (LEA) sends you forms to complete about your tuition fees, student loans and grants in Spring. The University should also send you details of the next academic year before you return. If you do not receive these, contact

Student Records at the University.

Returning to University

House Hunting EventThe Students’ Union AWARE Centre organises a house hunting event in August. It’s a chance to view private accommodation available for the following academic year. The AWARE Centre is open throughout the summer to help with accommodation issues or for information about the house-hunting event.

Contact AWARE on 01225 38 6906 or email aware@bath.ac.uk with any queries.

26

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC)

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) is the one firm for all talented graduates. As one of the world’s largest professional services firms we have a lot to offer. With an enviable range of clients - from public and private companies to governments and charities – with whom we work in partnership to create leading-edge solutions. This makes PwC the ideal employer for any budding business professional.

Whether your degree is art or science related, we offer breadth of career opportunity where you can build on the skills and experience you’ve gained at university, and develop your career within a supportive business environment. We believe in investing in our people and provide the tools you need to enable you to drive your career forward.

To find out more about the firm that is proud to have been voted the UK’s number one employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey for the last five years, visit www.pwc.com/uk/careers/

Useful contacts

www.BathStudent.com/placements

AWARE Centre (Academic & Welfare Advice & Representation)

01225 386906 aware@bath.ac.uk

University of Bath Students’ Union Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY 01225 386612 fax: 01225 444061

Nightline 01225 383030 20:00-08:00 Wednesdays to Sundays (term-time)

Student Money Service 01225 386968 studentmoney@bath.ac.uk

University Accommodation Office 01225 383111 International Office 01225 386832 Student Records & Examinations Office 01225 383127 Learning Support 01225 383241

Vice President (Education)

01225 385064

sueducation@bath.ac.uk

Vice President (Welfare and Diversity)

01225 384223

sucampaigns@bath.ac.uk

01225 4633330845 3454345