Placements are an integral part of the student's education. Whether you are training to be an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or podiatrist, you will undertake around 1000 hours working in a range of practice placement settings during your time at the university.
Placements are carried out across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Podiatry students also have the benefit of learning in our own specialised clinical setting (at the Leaf Hospital) from their first year of study. In the Leaf Clinic students are supported by academic tutors and by other specialist practitioners.
During placements, students work alongside senior practitioners. Our practice education teams work closely with senior practitioners and managers from Health and Social Care trusts, charitable trusts and the independent sector to ensure that students gain excellent support and experience during their practice education.
The school's staff have a strong commitment to ensuring that the learning experiences of students in the practice environment are of the highest quality. We are proud of the excellent reputation of our graduates.
Support for students on placements
- All students have designated practice educator(s) for each placement.
- Academic tutors visit students during their placement.
- Discussion groups on studentcentral enable students actively to discuss their placement learning.
- Members of the academic team are in close contact with practice sites.
- Students are prepared for placements during a series of workshops with academic staff and attend regular debriefing sessions following placements.
- Senior students participate in group discussions during placement preparation to enable them to share their valuable experience.
- Practice educators are specially trained by the university to provide a high quality and dynamic learning experience for the students.
