Work based learning is considered to benefit the student in a number of ways, by allowing the student to:

• consolidate many of the techniques, skills and practices taught and to enable the student to relate theoretical concepts to practical situations
• encourage a mature approach to problem solving and to develop the student’s ability to evaluate issues and situations critically and propose well-considered options and solutions
• broaden the scope of the student’s experiential learning beyond that which is possible within the University courses and to develop the student’s communications and time management skills;
• provide experiences that will form a framework or agenda for the student’s final year project
• provide an opportunity for the student to improve post-graduation employment potential by acquisition of specific training and skills
• create and enhance the student’s awareness of the needs and methods of industry/commerce technical, commercial and managerial
• encourage the student to accept responsibility and discharge duties conscientiously and in a professional manner
• work experience may contribute to the period of post graduate training and experience necessary to qualify for full membership of appropriate professional institutions

Potential benefits to the placement provider include:

• two-way knowledge transfer between industry and the University
• use of an additional resource that is not necessarily directly tasked with daily operational work
• an opportunity to tackle problems by someone without preconceived solutions or company history
• an extended evaluation period for a potential new employee
• an opportunity to develop collaborative work with the University

Potential benefits to the University include:

• student recruitment to the University is encouraged by the high employment rate of its graduates which is positively affected by the professional placement experience
• placement visits provide an excellent opportunity for academics to directly liaise and discuss with company staff mutual areas of interest for collaboration and research
• placement visits can provide an opportunity for staff development