All students, no matter which course they are taking, and whether part-time or full time, are required to undertake the Work Placement module.
We have developed a network of contacts within the museum, gallery and heritage sector, not only in the UK, but also internationally. Previous students have been on placement, for example, at museums in Kenya, Portugal, Germany and Greece, at most of the national museums and galleries in the UK, at prestigious galleries in the United States of America and at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris. We aim to offer approximately 100-110 placements each year.
Placements are organised by the ICCHS Placement Manager, Iain Wheeldon, who works with students from their arrival in September to find the most suitable, productive and practical venue. Please note: while every effort will be made to meet the student's first work placement choice, this will be dependent upon availability of suitable projects and adequate supervision at the various venues.
The placement provides students with the opportunity to experience the working environment of a museum, gallery or heritage organisation. It helps them to put into practice the skills, knowledge and understanding gained on the taught part of the course.
Placements also increase student employability by providing students with the opportunity to develop high level skills, knowledge and understanding required by potential employers. Students will acquire subject-specific skills and develop a range of key skills, including:
They will begin to understand the missions and functions of their organisation, analyse workplace structures and identify a range of line management and reporting arrangements, systems and procedures. Students also become familiar with workplace legislation, regulations and standards, and develop the ability to critically analyse the performance of the organisation in relation to its aims and objectives.
ICCHS has a track record of succesful work placements outside the UK. Placements outside the UK are subject to the host country's own visa restrictions and employment legislation. In addition, some venues operate their own internships or placement schemes (for example, UNESCO, and most North American organisations.) The Placement Manager will advise the student on these matters but students are also encouraged to research these issues thoroughly if they have a placement venue in mind when applying.
Erasmus is a funding scheme that is intended to encourage exchange between Erasmus-participating countries by funding periods of study overseas in universities in Erasmus-participating countries. The scheme has recently been expanded to include work placements and 2007-2008 was the first year in which students from ICCHS undertook Erasmus-funded placements.
Only students from Erasmus-participating countries, who have not previously received Erasmus funding can take part in these placements. Erasmus placements last a minimum of 3 months, rather than 2, but it is still possible to do this and graduate with the rest of your year. Due to the timetable of the Erasmus process, students will be given a list of Erasmus funded placements at the beginning of the academic year and asked to submit an expression of interest. There are only a limited number of such placements. The process will be completed in the first semester, so it is worth deciding whether you are interested in this before starting the course.
Most students attending the taught courses have acquired some preliminary experience of work in museums, galleries or a heritage organization, (usually as a volunteer), and this is recommended, though not a prerequisite for acceptance onto our courses. It is worth remembering that some placement venues will require prior relevant work-experience. For more information on how to gain voluntary experience at museums, galleries and heritage sites, please take a look at our Voluntary Experience advice (PDF file).
Please note that the programme fee does not include accommodation and travel costs (including visa costs) incurred while on placement. In view of this students are advised to consider the financial commitment when choosing a placement venue.
Placements are hosted by a range of organisations.
BALTIC, The Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
mima, middlesbrough institute of modern art
National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh
National Glass Centre, Sunderland
Side Photographic Gallery, Newcastle
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Museums, Sunderland
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
BALTIC, The Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Centre for Contemporary Art, Glasgow
Hatton Gallery, University of Newcastle
middlesbrough institute of modern art
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland
Northern Print, Newcastle
Shipley Art Gallery, Tyne & Wear Museums, Gateshead
University Gallery, University of Northumbria in Newcastle
Victoria & Albert Museum, Word & Image Dept., London
Gibside, The National Trust, Newcastle
Historic Environment Section, Newcastle Civic Centre
Northumberland National Park Authority with College Valley Estate
North East Regional Museums Hub Education Office, Newcastle
Northern Architecture, Newcastle
PLB Consulting, North Yorkshire
York Archaeological Trust
Dalarnas Museum, Falun, Sweden
Ford & Etal Estate, Northumberland
Heritage Lottery Fund, Newcastle
Holy Jesus Hospital, The National Trust, Newcastle
BALTIC, The Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Beamish Open Air Museum, Couty Durham
Borders Arts Council, Scotland
Dalarnas Museum, Falun, Sweden
Historic Royal Palaces - Hampton Court, London
Segedunum Roman Fort, Tyne & Wear Museums, North Tyneside
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Museums, Sunderland
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon
Centre for Life, Newcastle
National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh
Victoria & Albert Museum, Word & Image Dept., London
Fountains Abbey, The National Trust, Ripon
Discovery Museum, Tyne & Wear Museums, Newcastle
Museum in Docklands / Museum of London, London
The Bowes Museum, County Durham
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
York Castle Museum, York Museums Trust
The Hunt Museum, Limerick, Ireland
Museum of Stratigraphy, Knossos, Crete
Bede's World, Jarrow
Seven Stories, Newcastle & Gateshead
Hartlepool Arts & Museums Service
Portable Antiquities Scheme, Museum of Antiquities, University of Newcastle
Museum of Te Papa Tongaewera, New Zealand
Souter Lighthouse, The National Trust, Sunderland
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Tyne & Wear Museums, South Shields
The Hancock Museum - Great North Museum Project, University of Newcastle
The Light Dragoons Museum, Newcastle
The Oriental Museum, Durham