Placements and Work-Based Learning

Attendance and engagement requirements continue to apply while you are on placement or undertaking work-based learning. 

However, the way attendance and engagement are monitored may be different from students who are attending teaching on campus. 

Different arrangements may apply depending on whether you are undertaking: 

If you are unsure what attendance or engagement requirements apply to your placement, seek advice from your Placement Team or course team.

Yes. 

Placements and work-based learning activities remain part of your course, and you are expected to continue engaging with your studies throughout the placement period. 

Attendance and engagement remain important whether you are studying on campus, undertaking a clinical placement, completing a sandwich placement or participating in work-based learning. 

The University must be able to demonstrate that students remain engaged with their course and continue participating in the learning activities associated with their programme. 

Next Steps: 

  • Attend placement activities as required. 
  • Participate fully in learning opportunities provided through the placement. 
  • Maintain engagement with your course and placement provider. 
  • Follow any attendance and engagement expectations communicated by your Placement Team. 

The way attendance and engagement are monitored will depend on the type of placement you are undertaking. 

For clinical placements, attendance is normally monitored through the submission of timesheets via the University's placement management system. Engagement and attainment are monitored via placement supervisors and course teams. 

For sandwich placements and work-based learning, engagement is normally evidenced through placement monitoring arrangements, employer feedback, progress reviews and University check-ins rather than through regular campus attendance recording. 

Students on placement do not normally need to complete weekly attendance swipes unless specifically advised otherwise. 

Next Steps:

  • Follow the attendance and engagement arrangements provided by your Placement Team. 
  • Complete any required placement reviews, monitoring activities or hours records. 
  • Respond to communications from your Placement Team and course. 
  • Seek advice if you are unsure how your attendance is being monitored. 

You should notify the appropriate placement contact as soon as possible and follow any absence reporting arrangements that apply to your placement. 

Placements often have specific attendance and absence reporting requirements that apply in addition to University processes. 

Prompt reporting helps ensure that the placement provider and University understand your circumstances and can provide support where appropriate. 

Next Steps: 

  • Follow the absence reporting process for your placement. 
  • Inform the relevant placement contact as soon as possible. 
  • Follow any additional guidance provided by your course team or placement services. 
  • Seek support if circumstances are affecting your ability to continue with the placement. 

You should contact your Placement Team as soon as possible if your placement ends early, changes significantly or you experience circumstances that affect your ability to continue. 

Examples may include: 

  • a placement ending earlier than expected; 
  • concerns raised by the placement provider; 
  • changes to your working arrangements; 
  • personal circumstances affecting your ability to continue; 
  • a break in placement activity. 

Changes to placement arrangements may affect programme requirements, attendance monitoring arrangements and academic progress. 

Next Steps: 

  • Inform your Placement Team as soon as possible. 
  • Explain any circumstances affecting your placement. 
  • Follow any advice or instructions provided. 
  • Continue engaging with any agreed replacement arrangements or alternative activity. 

Attendance and engagement requirements continue to apply while you are on placement. 

However, these requirements are normally demonstrated through placement monitoring arrangements rather than weekly attendance swipes. 

The University must continue to demonstrate that international students requiring visa compliance monitoring remain actively engaged with their course while undertaking placement activity. 

Continued failure to engage and attend on placement could lead to withdrawal and this would result in your student visa being curtailed. 

Placement reviews, employer feedback, placement attendance records and engagement monitoring arrangements will normally provide this evidence. 

Next Steps: 

  • Follow all placement attendance and engagement requirements. 
  • Participate in required reviews, monitoring activities and check-ins. 
  • Respond promptly to communications from the University. 
  • Seek advice if you are unsure what attendance or engagement requirements apply to your placement.

The most appropriate contact will depend on the nature of your enquiry. 

Questions may relate to placement attendance, absence reporting, engagement monitoring, academic requirements, visa compliance or personal circumstances. 

Next Steps: 

  • Contact your Placement Team regarding placement attendance and engagement queries. 
  • Contact your Course Team regarding academic requirements. 
  • Contact the Immigration and Compliance Team at immigration@hud.ac.uk if your query relates to visa or immigration matters. 
  • Contact the Student Engagement Team if circumstances are affecting your ability to engage with your placement.