Placement learning

Documents

Placement learning

Policy and good practice

Forms

Assessing risk: resources

Other resources

Credit for extra-curricular activities

Policy and procedures

Forms

Imperial College allows undergraduate full-degree students* to gain formal recognition (ECTS credits) for specific types of academic work which is not part of the curriculum.  The academic work can be linked to research-based or curriculum-related work undertaken in vacations (for example UROP or structured external internships) but must be relevant to the student's degree discipline. The extra ECTS credit does not contribute to a student's degree at Imperial, and the scheme is voluntary.

* The following departments participate:

  • Aeronautics
  • Bioengineering
  • Computing
  • Electrical & Electronic Engineering
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

For some departments the extra-ECTS scheme:

  • is only pursued in relation to internal UROP research experiences.
  • supports the delivery of accredited development activities of professional institutes.

The Director of Undergraduate Studies is responsible for implementing the process.

The key features are:

  • the internship must be within the easter or summer vacation, and be for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks.
  • the internship (whether external or internal) becomes a "placement" and should be managed in line with Placement Learning Policy and Good Practice.
  • ECTS is calculated for attendance (1.5 ECTS per week of full-time work-place attendance) and is awarded upon successful completion of an assessment. 
  • Activities must be primarily academic in nature, with clearly defined learning outcomes and criteria for assessment.
  • A dept should approve an internship for extra-ECTS ahead of the internship commencing (the credit cannot be applied retrospectively).
  • A dept communicates successful awards of extra ECTS to the Registry.
  • The ECTS is highlighted on the student's next available transcript, and again in the student's Diploma Supplement at the end of the degree programme. 

Enquiries should be directed to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.