Micro-Placements Programme

Micro-Placements projects:

• Are self-contained projects with the aim to solve a business problem for you
• Result in the creation of a deliverable of benefit to your organisation, for example a report, whitepaper, presentation, one pager, database etc.
• Are of sufficient complexity and have clear learning outcomes
• Develop students’ employability skills including project management, communication, team work and initiative
• Help students explore different sectors
• Are small-scale: for completion in 140 hours.

Projects can cover a wide variety of topics and can come from any department in your business. Examples of projects our students worked on in the past include:

• Marketing and content writing project with Pulse Social
• GDPR compliance review project with Octopus Community Networks
• Credit analysis project with Ask Inclusive Finance
• Competitor analysis of the Corporate Responsibility Consultancy Space with Business In the Community
• Website analysis and a paper of recommendation for the House of Commons
• Higher Education research report for Parkhouse Bell
• Marketing Campaign project with Sky UK
• Training gap analysis project with Save the Children International
• Human Resources and Employee Engagement projects with Tata Consultancy Services

You can host any number of projects, with a recommended maximum of two students per project. However, more can be allocated if there is enough work to be done to fulfil the students’ learning objectives. Please provide clear, distinct objectives and deliverables for each student to ensure a valuable learning experience.

Please submit one form per project as this will help us match the most appropriate student candidates for each opportunity.

How detailed does the project description need to be in the project form?

Please provide as much detail as possible in the project form so we can best assess whether the project is a good fit for the scheme.

We particularly ask for detail in the following areas:

• Business question the student will answer
• At least three tasks the student will complete
• Deliverable the student will produce for you e.g. report, research paper, presentation etc
• At least three learning outcomes/objectives for the student.

Please see the example project description tasks, objectives and deliverable sections to gain an indication of the detail required. Please note you will be asked for more information in the project form you will submit, for example, the address where the project will take place, person specification, confirmation of employer’s and public liability insurance.

You will need:

• Employer’s liability insurance and Public Liability insurance
• London-based office space (zones 1-4) and equipment needed to complete the project
• Ability to convert the project to be completed remotely if necessary
• Ability to cover lunch and travel expenses
• Provision of a daily supervisor for the student
• Provision of training if necessary
• A health and safety policy in place, ensuring the office complies with government guidelines.

Historically, we have found that our hosts and students prefer to undertake placements in person. In the office, students can maximise their learning and exposure to other elements of the organisation, as well as expanding their professional network.

Therefore, where it is safe to do so and as per government guidelines, students will complete their project in the host’s office, subject to the relevant health and safety measures being put in place by the organisation. We also offer a blended approach where at least 50% of the student’s work is completed from the office, but they can work the rest from home.

The Micro-Placement team does all the recruitment for you, from a pool of students whom have gone through a rigorous process including an application form, assessment centre and interview.

Students undergo a highly competitive recruitment process to be successful on the Programme. The application process includes the following:

• A mandatory workshop on CVs, applications, and Cover Letters prior to submitting applications
• Virtual Assessment Centre (run by our partners Gradcore) and Interviews for shortlisted applicants
• Students will also be attending a pre-placement webinar and health and safety briefing prior to starting their Micro-Placement to help them make the most of the experience.

Micro-Placements are offered to students as a 15-credit module as part of their course. For students to pass the module, they must complete 140 hours of placement (minimum four weeks full time to eight weeks part time).

A benefit of having credits attached is that it further increases the students' responsibility to complete the placement and thus the module in its entirety.