Information for Students
About
The third year of Faculty of Arts degree programmes at MIC's Limerick Campus is dedicated to Off-Campus Placement. This enables students to expand their knowledge and skills through study abroad and/or work placements. Students undertake either one placement for the full academic year or two placements of one semester each.
Benefits of the Off-Campus Placement
- Explore career paths and identify your future goals
- Gain valuable work experience to strengthen your CV
- Develop transferable skills that employers value
- Apply your learning to real-world situations
- Build your knowledge and confidence in your chosen field
- Experience different cultures through travel
- Improve your language and communication skills
- Expand your professional network and make valuable connections
Work Placement in Ireland
Work Placement in Ireland Objectives
- Build valuable employability skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and initiative.
- Put what you've learned in your degree into practice while gaining new knowledge and experience relevant to your studies.
- Experience life in a professional workplace and develop the confidence and skills needed for your future career.
- Learn more about your strengths, interests, and career options, helping you make informed decisions about your future.
Bachelor of Arts Students
- Liberal Arts
- Drama and English
- English Language & Literature
For the above programmes, Off-Campus Placement takes place in Year 3 and comprises either:
One full academic year placement
or
- Two separate placements, one for autumn and one for spring
Please note:
- Students taking Psychology as one of their BA subjects to degree level are on placement for the autumn semester only and return to MIC in the spring of third year to complete their Psychology modules.
- Language students (French / German) are required to spend at least one semester undertaking a placement in a location where the language is spoken.
- Gaeilge students are required to spend at least one semester in a Roinn na Gaeilge approved Gaeilge placement or undertake a residential College-organised Gaeltacht programme during the Summer of third year.
- Other (non-languages) students may also study and/or work abroad (e.g. TEFL placements) through English.
BSc Psychology
Placement takes place over Years 2 and 3 (i.e. the spring semester of Year 2 and autumn semester of Year 3), comprising of two separate placements.
For BSc Psychology students, study abroad is possible only in autumn of Year 3.
Work Placement Abroad
Work Placement Abroad Objectives
Work Placement Abroad provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in an international setting while developing their academic, professional, and personal skills.
Benefits of Work Placement Abroad:
- Build valuable employability skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, adaptability, and initiative.
- Put what you've learned in your degree into practice while gaining new knowledge and experience relevant to your studies.
- Experience life in a professional workplace in another country and develop the confidence, independence, and skills needed for your future career.
- Develop your language and intercultural skills by living and working in an international environment.
- Gain a greater understanding of your strengths, interests, and career options while experiencing a different culture and way of life.
- Develop greater independence, confidence, and adaptability through living and working abroad.
Work Placement Abroad Opportunities
Students may undertake their Off-Campus Placement abroad through a range of opportunities, depending on their degree programme, interests, language skills, and placement requirements.
Opportunities may include:
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) placements
- Language assistantships in schools and other educational settings
- Becoming an English-language monitor for children and young people
- Other international work and study opportunities relevant to students' degree programmes
Some placements may involve teaching, classroom support, language learning, administration, or other professional activities. The nature of the placement will depend on the individual opportunity and the requirements of the host organisation.
Students should consider the type of work they would like to undertake, the country and language environment in which they would like to live and work, and whether they wish to avail of one semester of placement abroad or a full academic-year placement abroad.
Preparing for Work Placement Abroad
The application and placement process for Work Placement Abroad follows the same procedure as Work Placement in Ireland. Students are supported by the Placement Office before, during and after the placement process and should consider their preferred type of placement, location, duration, and any language or programme-specific requirements when preparing their application.
Students interested in working abroad should also consider whether they are prepared to live independently in another country and adapt to a different cultural and professional environment.
Bachelor of Arts Students
For Bachelor of Arts students, Off-Campus Placement takes place in Year 3 and comprises either:
One full academic year placement
Or
- Two separate placements, one for autumn and one for spring
Students may undertake their placement abroad where this is compatible with their degree programme and placement requirements.
Please note:
- Students taking Psychology as one of their BA subjects to degree level are on placement for the autumn semester only and return to MIC in the spring of third year to complete their Psychology modules.
- Language students (French / German) are required to spend at least one semester undertaking a placement in a location where the language is spoken.
- Gaeilge students are required to spend at least one semester in a Roinn na Gaeilge-approved Gaeilge placement or undertake a residential College-organised Gaeltacht programme during the summer of third year.
- Other (non-language) students may also undertake a placement abroad, including opportunities such as TEFL placements through English.
BSc Psychology
Placement takes place over Years 2 and 3 (i.e. the spring semester of Year 2 and autumn semester of Year 3), comprising of two separate placements.
For BSc Psychology students, study abroad is possible only in autumn of Year 3.
Study Abroad Placement
Study Abroad Placement Objectives
Study Abroad provides students with the opportunity to undertake part of their studies in an international setting while developing their academic, personal, and intercultural skills.
Benefits of Study Placement Abroad:
- Gain valuable academic experience by studying in a different educational environment.
- Develop greater independence, confidence, adaptability, and intercultural awareness.
- Experience a different culture and way of life while building an international perspective.
- Develop language skills by studying and living in an environment where another language is spoken.
- Meet students from different backgrounds and develop international networks and friendships.
- Gain a broader perspective on your area of study by experiencing different approaches to teaching and learning.
- Enhance your personal and professional development through an international experience.
Students are provided the opportunity to develop a great sense of self-confidence and achievement, master living and studying overseas, and be away from the security of familiar surroundings.
The opportunity to meet students from various backgrounds and cultures, to see amazing sites and experience fantastic adventures informs the perspective of the global citizens our students will become.
Employers immediately recognise the value of the skills developed by a graduate who has studied overseas, including;
- Adaptability
- Determination
- Ability to take risks
- Communication skills
- Independence
- An open mind
Click the box below or contact the International Office for further information on Study Abroad Placement.
Study Abroad Placement Opportunities
Students can choose from a large range of study abroad partner universities in Europe, the United States, Australia and further afield. Students opting to study at one of our European partner universities can avail of EU funding in the form of an Erasmus+ grant. Full details regarding study abroad options and destinations, as well as Erasmus+ funding are available on the Study Abroad page.
Preparing for Study Abroad Placement
Students interested in studying abroad should consider their preferred destination, the duration of the study period, and any academic or language requirements associated with studying in another country.
The application and placement process for Study Abroad Placement is managed by the International Office, and supported by the Placement Office to ensure students are satisfying academic and Off-Campus Placement requirements.
Students should also consider the practical aspects of living abroad, including adapting to a different academic and cultural environment and becoming more independent while away from MIC.
Students of Languages
Please note:
Students of languages (e.g., French, German) are required to undertake a minimum of one semester of study or work placement in a country where the relevant language(s) is/are spoken and a placement abroad is an integral and mandatory component in order to graduate.
FAQs
See below for a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Off-Campus Placement (OCP).
OCP takes place in Year 3 of the Faculty of Arts degree programmes (MIC Limerick Campus). Most students will be out on placement for the full academic year with the exception of students studying Psychology, who undertake their OCP in Semester 1 only and are required to take modules at MIC in Semester 2.
Students undertake either one placement for the full academic year or two placements of one semester each. Placements broadly align with the academic calendar i.e. September–December/January, January to May or September to May.
OCP provides students with opportunities to discover the world and experience working environments which may also provide future employment. Students will build valuable experience to include on their CVs, thereby giving them an edge over graduates from other Bachelor of Arts programmes.
Through both work and study abroad placements, students will gain/improve upon key transferable skills such as communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork and initiative, all of which are highly valued by employers.
Students can choose from the following three main placement categories:
- Work placement in Ireland: The MIC Placement Office is connected to a vast network of organisations, across a broad range of economic sectors that facilitate student placements including: Education; Heritage and Tourism; Arts and Culture; Irish Language Organisations; Higher Education; Media Organisations; Financial Services; Public Sector; Psychology and, Social and Pastoral Organisations.
- Work placement Abroad: These options are mainly education-related placements such as TEFL and Language Assistantships in Europe. Students can avail of EU funding in the form of an Erasmus+ grant for traineeships undertaken with eligible host organisations/enterprises.
- Study Abroad: Students can choose from a large range of study abroad partner universities in Europe, North, South and Central America, Australia, China, Africa and Japan. Students opting to study at one of our European partner universities can avail of EU funding in the form of an Erasmus+ grant. Full details regarding study abroad options and destinations as well as Erasmus+ funding are available from the International Office.
Note that it is possible to combine options e.g. one semester work placement and one semester study abroad.
OCP enables students of languages to fully immerse themselves in their language(s) of study through study and/or work placements.
Students of Gaeilge are required to spend a period of time in an approved Irish language setting. Work placements for students of Gaeilge are organised in a variety of settings such as Irish language organisations, Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht organisations. Furthermore, students of Gaeilge also have an opportunity to undertake an academic semester, living and studying in the Gaeltacht.
Students of French and/or German are required to complete at least one semester in an environment where the relevant language(s) is/are spoken. Typically students would spend a minimum of one semester studying at one of our Erasmus+ partner universities or a full academic year on a Language Assistantship placement in France, Germany or Austria.
International placements are offered as part of Off-Campus Placement. This unique opportunity provides an added cultural and linguistic benefit to students, fostering adaptability, independence and a global outlook. Students of languages will have opportunities for full language immersion through work placements in Ireland, for students of Gaeilge, and for students of French and German, through participation in work and/or study placements abroad.
Study abroad and overseas placements provide an opportunity to experience and understand other cultures, and, in the case of placements in continental Europe, to improve foreign language skills. Students are encouraged to make full use of the consequent opportunities for further travel, fostering adaptability and a global outlook to enable them to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world of work. Furthermore, travel abroad provides students with more stimulation and entertainment than they would probably experience at home!
Application and selection for work placements–Ireland and abroad–are processed through the Placement Office whereby students’ preferences/ profiles are matched with work placement opportunities. Most work placements are secured via an OCP CV and placement interview.
Study abroad placements are arranged through the International Office.
A full OCP preparatory programme is provided for Year 2 BA students from early in the autumn semester via weekly OCP seminars. Additionally, individual placement consultations are organised for students whereby students can discuss their specific placement preferences and requirements on a one-to-one basis with an experienced staff member.
Students can also propose their own work placement so long as it complies with OCP criteria and is approved in advance by the staff of the Placement Office.
OCP is a compulsory and fully accredited component of the Faculty of Arts degree programmes.
Mature students (aged 23 or over on 1 January on the year of entry to the college), however, have the option of applying for an exemption from third year and opting instead to progress directly to Final Year or to split their two degree subjects over third and fourth year. The process of applying for an exemption from the OCP will be explained to the relevant students in Year 2.
Of course, mature students are welcome to participate in third year should they choose to do so and can opt to apply to undertake a work placement and/or to study abroad in the same way as the rest of the Faculty of Arts cohort.
Preparation for OCP begins at the start of Year 2. Throughout the year, the Placement Office delivers a comprehensive preparation programme designed to support students as they prepare for their placement experience. This includes weekly OCP seminars, individual consultations, and access to a range of resources and guidance.
Students also have access to a dedicated Moodle page (MIC's Virtual Learning Environment), where all relevant information, resources, deadlines, and updates are made available throughout the preparation process.
Students out on placement are assigned a Placement Tutor (work placements) or Academic Advisor (study placements) from the College, typically a member of the Arts Faculty, who will link in regularly with both the student and placement host and act as the main point of contact for the duration of the placement. The staff of the Placement Office are also on hand to address any queries or issues and welcome feedback on any aspect of the programme.
Additional supports are available for students who are registered with a disability and who may require more specialist advice and supports for their third year placement/s through the MIC Access & Disability Office.
Work placement participants are assessed by means of an OCP Work Report which the student submits to the Placement Office at the end of the academic year (i.e. May). An end-of-placement evaluation form is also completed by the Placement Provider based on the student’s work performance and also forms part of the assessment process.
Placements are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
Study Abroad participants are expected to produce a transcript of results from their host institution and to have attained sufficient academic credits in modules taken abroad, in line with their study abroad Learning Agreements.
Your MIC Academic Advisor will assess your study abroad transcript(s) on a Pass/Fail basis.
Students are notified of their results in the autumn semester (November/December) following their OCP.
The staff of the Placement Office have a wealth of experience working with students in respect of both study and work placements options for third year and are available to assist, inform and guide you through all stages of your Off-Campus Placement journey.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Placement Office for further information and advice.
Testimonials
The following are recent testimonials from MIC students who took part in Off-Campus Placement through both English and Gaeilge.
| English Language Placements |
|---|
| “My time in Spain on TEFL placement (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) was an excellent and life-changing experience…. Not only did I gain knowledge of essential teaching techniques like lesson planning, classroom management, and time management, but I also got to immerse myself in a new life and culture.” |
| “My work placement has been an incredible chance for me to close the knowledge gap between academia and real-world application. I improved my technical and social skills, expanded my knowledge of workplace dynamics, and obtained practical experience with professional procedures during the placement.” |
| “I will be forever grateful that I decided to take the leap and step out of my comfort zone by completing my placement abroad, and I feel very lucky to be fortunate enough to have been offered a position.” |
| “I gained great experience & knowledge from placement that I will have forever, and I was provided with a lot of advice that I will be able to adapt for my career planning.” |
| “The experience was amazing especially to be able to have the opportunity to learn as well as be given responsibility.” |
| “The placement was an extremely worthwhile experience. My Gaeilge improved hugely and the placement has solidified my decision of wanting to be a primary school teacher.” |
| “I thought my work placement year was an extremely enjoyable year and I felt as if it really gave me an insight into what a career in teaching would be like.” |
| “It was a brilliant opportunity. I learned so much. The knowledge and memories I gained will stay with me forever.” |
| “I really enjoyed and benefitted from my work placement experience. The Off-Campus programme was incredibly beneficial and enjoyable, and the staff in the placement office went above and beyond.” |
| Taithí Teanga Gaeilge |
|---|
| “Cabhraigh na heispéiris seo liom scileanna ceannaireachta, eagrúcháin, cumarsáide agus oibre foirne a fhobairt, scileanna a bheidh tábhachtach i mo chuid staidéir agus i mo ghairm amach anseo.” |
| “Fuaireas ardú meanma iontach ó m’eispéaras agus thugadar inspioráid agus treallús dom shaol trí Ghaeilge a bhaint amach. B’iontach an rud é obair i measc craoltóirí cáilithe a úsáideann an Ghaeilge ar bhonn laethúil agus táim an-buíoch as ucht na deise a fuair mé le linn na bliana de dheasca iad.” |
| “Thosaigh mé mo shocrúchán le sprioc shoiléir agus cuspóirí ar leith, agus d’éirigh liom iad a bhaint amach. Bhí sé mar aidhm agam taithí oibre a fháil i nGaelscoil chun mo chuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Gan dabht ar bith, tá mo chuid Gaeilge i bhfad níos fearr anois, agus tá níos mó muiníne agam sa teanga. D’amharc mé ar na múinteoirí éagsúla agus d’fhoghlaim mé óna modhanna teagaisc, go háirithe ó thaobh bainistíocht ranga agus idirghníomhaíocht le daltaí.” |
- About
- Work Placement in Ireland
- Work Placement Abroad
- Study Abroad Placement
- FAQs
- Testimonials
