Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title
UG Aff Personal Skills Award Full-time
Programme Code
7979
Delivery Location
Campus
Language of Study
English
Length of Programme
2 Year(s)
Accreditations
This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme
The Personal Skills Award (PSA) is an accredited programme that students undertake alongside their degree to develop, recognise, and articulate the skills and attributes that they have developed at Birmingham, in preparation for the graduate recruitment and development processes.
The programme offers a flexible approach to skill development through the formal recognition of on-campus extra-curricular activities, as well as the opportunity to undertake structured taught modules (non-credit bearing) that allow a learner to explore and develop a deeper understanding of a skill area through classroom based teaching sessions. Participants can also opt to undertake short non-assessed courses delivered by employers, or online skills courses.
Each activity is awarded a points value, calculated through a University-approved ‘Points Matrix’, and a student is expected to gain a minimum of 150 points to be eligible to complete the compulsory assessment required to complete the award. This typically equates to between four and eight extra-curricular activities over a minimum of a year (typically two years), or three taught modules.
All students are required to complete a compulsory educational programme and associated summative assessment designed to prepare a learner for the graduate recruitment and development process. Each student receives personalised feedback on their assessment to ensure the transformative approach to the curriculum.
The PSA features an upper tier: the Personal Skills Award (Advanced), which is designed to recognise students’ that have achieved an exceptional level of engagement in University life. This award requires students to achieve 250 points, proven engagement in employer-led activities, and completion of a written assignment designed to assess their competence in articulating their skill development. In addition, a student undertakes an assessed employer-led panel interview, to assess their ability to verbally articulate their skills. Students have two opportunities to complete the interview process.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of:
Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods:
and assessed using the following methods:
1) The key attributes demonstrated by good communicators in the workplace for the purpose of attempting to relate to colleagues, influence and negotiate, and convey information in a business environment. (Personal Skills Award)
2) The value of, and skills necessary, to be effective in teamwork in the employment environment such that they are able to work collaboratively to achieve a task. (Personal Skills Award)
3) A variety of successful time management skills and methods used in a variety of contexts that enable them to successfully manage extra-curricular activities alongside their work commitments and studies. (Personal Skills Award)
4) The importance of good interpersonal skills in the workplace, to understand what good interpersonal skills are, in order to be successful in relating to others in different situations in the workplace. (Personal Skills Award)
5) The basic theories of reflection and self-awareness, in the context of employment, including interacting with colleagues and customers. (Personal Skills Award)
6) The importance of resilience and adaptability to manage change and uncertainty in a variety of contexts, including: university life, the graduate recruitment process, and the workplace. (Personal Skills Award - Advanced)
7) The value of enterprising skills to understand the importance of initiative, resourcefulness, and idea generation within the ever-changing workplace. (Personal Skills Award - Advanced)
8) The key attributes of a successful leader within the context of the workplace, for the purpose of influencing and inspiring others within the workplace towards the achievement of a goal. (Personal Skills Award - Advanced)
Participation in extra-curricular activities.
Engagement in Personal Skills Award modules, online courses, and short skills-based workshops.
Undertaking the compulsory Completion Session.
1) - 5) Compulsory assessment (competency-based questions, based on the graduate recruitment process).
6) - 8) Compulsory assessment (competency-based questions, based on the graduate recruitment process).
PSA (Advanced) Employer-Led interview.
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes:
Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods:
and assessed using the following methods:
1) A range of soft-skills conducive to the development of their employability. (Personal Skills Award)
2) Critical reflection on impact experiential learning on the student. (Personal Skills Award)
3) Written articulation of skills on an application form. (Personal Skills Award)
4) Verbal articulation of skills during an interview. (Personal Skills Award - Advanced)
5) Planning and organisational skills. (Personal Skills Award)
1) Engagement in extra-curricular activities
2) & 3) Compulsory workshop and completion of written assessment
4) Interview preparation session and completion of interview assessment
5) Balancing engagement in extra-curricular activities and associated compulsory PSA educational programme with student’s degree programme.
