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Placement Collaboration Agreement

This agreement sets out how we work together to create valuable placement experiences that benefit students, your organisation, and the University.

Factsheet

Benefits of hosting a Bath student

  • Access to talented students from a leading UK university, well-prepared with professional skills training
  • Dedicated university support with a named contact throughout the placement
  • Fresh perspectives, current academic knowledge, and a potential graduate recruitment pipeline

Placement overview

  • Placements typically start in July or September and run for nine to 12 months (three to six months for Architecture and BSc Business)
  • Students remain enrolled with full university support access
  • Students will have a named contact, regular check-ins, and prompt responses to concerns raised

Our commitment to you

Student preparation and development

We prepare students thoroughly before they start by offering:

  • pre-placement briefings on expectations, assessment, professional behaviour, safety, and equality and diversity
  • online module on equality, diversity, dignity and respect (#NeverOkayPlacements)
  • workplace skills development training on reflective practice, time management and presentations
  • clear understanding of how their placement learning will be evidenced and assessed

Monitoring, support and communication

We maintain structured communication between the University, provider, and student throughout the placement by providing:

  • regular contact with placement and academic staff
  • mid-placement review or visit
  • prompt response time

Students have ongoing access to university wellbeing, financial advice and disability support teams during their placement.

We investigate incidents, record outcomes, and take corrective actions where needed.

Support for international students

Our international students are authorised to work full-time during placement as it forms an integral part of their degree programme. We provide written confirmation of student status and monitor engagement to support visa compliance.

Please notify the relevant placement team immediately if an international student is unable to attend work.

Your role as a placement provider

Provide a formal job description and contract

You should provide:

  • a job description that sets out key roles and responsibilities
  • an employment contract or offer letter that includes:
    • dates
    • hours
    • location
    • remuneration
    • notice periods
    • holiday entitlement

Alternatively, if you don't typically issue contracts, we can provide a university placement agreement for you to sign.

Provide an induction

A thorough induction helps students settle in quickly. We expect this to cover:

  • overview of organisation and departmental structure
  • communication channels and key colleagues
  • office equipment and systems
  • hours of work, breaks, overtime, holiday arrangements and time off in lieu
  • sickness and absence procedures
  • expense claims, termination and grievance procedures
  • appraisal and feedback methods
  • employee clubs, activities or subsidised services

A handover period between outgoing and incoming placement students can be invaluable.

Provide supervision and a relevant learning experience

Quality supervision is central to successful placements. We ask that you:

  • appoint a named supervisor to monitor progress, hold regular reviews, and provide guidance
  • consider a mentor or buddy to provide pastoral support and support workplace transition
  • allow time for university requirements - students need time during working hours for placement reviews
  • enable learning - provide opportunities to apply academic knowledge, research and professional skills in context

Support student assessment

Students complete reflective assignments about their placement. We ask that you:

  • complete appraisal forms as requested during the placement
  • review assignments for confidentiality where they reference your organisation
  • support dissertation data collection, if applicable, with clear expectations

Your feedback contributes to the student's final placement mark. For detailed assignment information, contact your faculty team:

Health and safety, insurance, and risk management

  • Confirm suitable health and safety arrangements, such as policies and risk assessments, are in place and accept duty of care under relevant legislation
  • Report significant incidents to the University, including accidents, injuries, near misses, or unauthorised absence
  • Provide insurance

Insurance for UK placements

You must have employer's liability insurance. This is a legal requirement as placement students are classified as employees, including those in unpaid placements. It is also recommended that you have public liability insurance.

If you're a sole trader, you must obtain employer's liability insurance when taking on a placement student.

Insurance for overseas placements

If you have equivalent employer's liability cover, this covers the student. If not, students arrange their own insurance. Students going abroad can register for free travel insurance through the University.

Professional standards and student wellbeing

We trust you to treat students fairly as valued team members.

Equality and inclusion

Uphold Equality Act 2010 duties including:

  • preventing discrimination
  • making reasonable adjustments for disabilities
  • respecting diversity
  • accommodating religious or spiritual needs

Wellbeing support

Designate a staff member for wellbeing and safeguarding concerns and facilitate access to an employee assistance programme where available. Students will also have continued access to the University wellbeing service.

Disability support

Consider support needs and provide reasonable adjustments.

Data protection

Handle personal and sensitive data appropriately, complying with UK GDPR.

Working hours

Respect working-time regulations of a maximum of 48 hours a week average, unless students opt out.

Early communication

Contact the University promptly regarding concerns that could lead to disciplinary proceedings or placement termination.

What you can expect from our students

We hold students to high professional standards and expect them to act as an ambassador for the University of Bath.

Professional conduct

Every student commits to:

  • completing pre-placement training on professional skills, equality and diversity, and workplace expectations
  • conducting themselves professionally, respecting your working culture and representing the University
  • following all health and safety rules as required by your organisation

Professional communication and reliability

Every student commits to:

  • communicating promptly about any absence, with medical certificates for extended sickness where required
  • responding promptly to university communications and maintaining up-to-date contact details

Respect confidentiality

Every student commits to maintaining the confidentiality of your data and sensitive information in accordance with relevant policies.

NDAs should never prevent reporting of inappropriate behaviour such as harassment, abuse, or misconduct.

Meet academic requirements

Every student commits to:

  • completing all placement assessments on time
  • reporting any health and safety or equality concerns to both you and the University

Make practical and logistical arrangements

Every student commits to taking responsibility for accommodation, visa, and insurance arrangements.

Student visa holders must complete all actions required to maintain their visa status in a timely manner.

Working together

We recognise that occasionally placements face challenges. We're here to help, and early communication is key.

Please contact your placement team if you notice:

  • performance concerns
  • attendance difficulties
  • behaviour issues
  • health and safety incidents
  • wellbeing concerns

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