Work Placements

The Level Five module ‘Work Placement: Applied History in the Workplace’ allows students to gain understanding of the issues involved in working at museums and other heritage sites. Equally, they apply to their placements the intellectual and subject-specific skills they have acquired as part of their history degree, thus making a valuable contribution to their chosen work sites as ‘specialists’.

For the duration of their six-week onsite placement, each student is allocated a particular task designed to benefit the work placement provider as much as themselves. Over the past few years, they have worked on such important and varied projects as recording medieval and early-modern graffiti in Chichester Cathedral, researching 18th-century bedrooms for displays at Petworth House, making educational powerpoints on 16th-century children’s games for the Mary Rose Museum, designing leaflets on the Iron Age for Butser Ancient Farm, planning interpretative strategies for the new visitor centre at Bignor Roman Villa, and designing displays on the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in the Second World War, for Tangmere Aviation Museum (see www.chichester.co.uk). Like many others, the latter two students used the research they had carried out for their projects as the basis of their Level Six dissertations.

The course is a joy to co-ordinate because it fires students’ enthusiasm, they frequently do exceptionally well in their assignments, and they consistently rate it among their most favourite modules. Many of them stay on as volunteers at their placement sites, and some have gone on to gain employment in the heritage sector.

Future Prospects: Student Case studies.

This module doesn’t only take those who wish to follow a particular career path. It is open to everyone! However, for those considering a future in the museum or heritage fields, the experience gained and its inclusion on their CV is a very positive outcome. Natalie Savage, National Trust Visitor Services Manager, Arlington Estate, Devon

Natalie took the module in 2006, researching an 18th-century tollhouse for the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum so that they could update their display board. After graduating, she secured successive employment with the National Trust as Manager of Tintagel Old Post Office (Cornwall) and as Visitor Services Manager for the Arlington Estate (Devon).

Peter Symonds, Visitor and Volunteer Co-ordinator, Petworth House, Sussex (National Trust)

Peter’s placement in 2010 involved designing an educational trail for Petworth House. The placement rep. said that his enthusiasm for history made him very popular with both volunteers and visitors, and accordingly he was offered a part-time position at Petworth from June 2010, assisting with volunteer co-ordination and conservation. When the house re-opened the following year, Peter was employed full-time as Visitor and Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Student Comments on the Module

The module is extremely popular, and students often gain excellent grades for their assignments due to their enthusiasm for their tasks. Over the past few years, their comments have included:

I think everyone should take the work placement module – it’s an amazing experience and has added to my degree in so many ways!
Best module I've done so far done at Uni – helped focus interests and discover what I want to do for a future career
I have learned a lot from the experience, including whether or not to follow a career in heritage
This module is very well thought out and a great experience. The project was fun and interesting
Fantastic - introduced me to many different historical themes. Will prove useful for dissertation!

Selected Work Placement Partners (n.b, these may not be available every year)

Placements are also normally available in the university’s two archives departments, and Otter Gallery, which may suit those who find it less easy to travel.

Arundel Castle http://www.arundelcastle.org
Bignor Roman Villa http://www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk
Butser Ancient Farm http://www.butser.org.uk/
Chichester Cathedral www.chichestercathedral.org.uk
Chichester District Museum www.chichester.gov.uk/museum
Fishbourne Roman Palace http://www.sussexpast.co.uk/property/site.php?site_id=11
Mary Rose Museum http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/maryrose/
Petworth House http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth/
Portsmouth City Museum http://www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk/
Royal Marines Museum http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/
Tangmere Aviation Museum www.tangmere-museum.org.uk
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum http://www.wealddown.co.uk/
West Sussex Record Office www.westsussex.gov.uk
Worthing Library www.westsussex.gov.uk (then click on Education & Libraries)