The Careers Service.

Sheffield Graduate Award Assessment Criteria

The Sheffield Graduate Award is supported by the University of Sheffield and therefore requires thorough and rigorous assessment of the skills and attributes candidates have acquired through their programme of activities. The Sheffield Graduate Award will be awarded on a pass or fail basis only. Attainment of the Award To gain the Sheffield Graduate Award participants must: 1. Attend and fully participate in a compulsory Induction Session (1 hour) at least 4 weeks before the current submission date. 2. Pay a 25 non refundable enrolment fee at least 4 weeks before the current submission date. 3. Complete and submit My Plan, outlining what they intend to do for their Award. 4. Undertake at least one activity from four sections of the six sections available. 5. Undertake no less than 35 hours work experience or volunteering during their time at University. And understand that work experience OR volunteering are compulsory sections. 6. Undertake no less than 150 hours activities overall across four sections (undergraduates). Undertake no less than 100 hours activities across three sections (postgraduates). 10 hours is the minimum requirement for any one section. 7. Submit their Sheffield Graduate Award portfolio in their final year which should contain My Assessment Profile, appropriate supporting evidence and a copy of their Plan. Participants MUST ensure that their portfolio meets the specific assessment criteria as outlined in the remainder of this document. Assessment Criteria for My Assessment Profile: IMPORTANT: The approach participants take for completing their Assessment Profile should be the same approach that would have to be taken when applying for a job or course. For example, participants need to observe professional presentation of their portfolio, including spelling, grammar and ability to follow ALL instructions. Work must be word processed and submitted on the template provided. However, it is acceptable to change the layout of the template to showcase achievements more effectively. The Assessment Profile must be clearly identifiable as the participants own piece of work and deadlines adhered to

Candidates are asked to read all the guidance notes in the relevant sections before commencing their profile. All sections should be fully completed and carry equal weight.

My Assessment Profile will be assessed against the following criteria: i) Section 1: My Activities Requirements/Assessment Criteria
Undertake a variety of activities across the required sections Undergraduates must undertake at least ONE activity from each of FOUR sections of the six sections available. Postgraduates must undertake at least ONE activity from each of THREE sections of the six sections available. They must provide concise descriptions of those activities and demonstrate a sustained level of commitment. One of your four sections MUST be Work experience OR volunteering. Participants must use activities not assessed or accredited as part of their course.

Evidence required

Hours participation

Undergraduates must undertake a minimum of 150 hours across all four sections. Postgraduates must undertake a minimum of 100 hours across all three sections. Participants must undertake no less than 35 hours work experience OR volunteering. 10 hours is the minimum requirement in any one section.

Word Count

Participants should keep the description of what they have done for all four sections to a maximum of 500 words but no less than 400.

ii) Section 2: My Transferable Skills Participants are required to answer FOUR questions out of the six. Requirements/Assessment Criteria
Use of activities Demonstration of the development of transferable skills Word Count

Evidence required
Participants must use a cross section of activities in this section and identify the activity they are referring to. Participants must provide evidence of skills and attributes acquired using specific examples from their activities. Participants should keep each example to a maximum of 200 words, but no less than 150 words.

iii) Section 3: My Personal Learning and Evaluation

Participants are required to answer one question from each of the 3 sections. Please print out each question that you answer from each of the three sections
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Requirements/Assessment Criteria
Demonstration of career planning and professional development. Demonstration of personal development. Demonstration of the development of skills and attributes.

Evidence required
Participants must provide evidence and insights as to why they are doing the Award and how it might help them in their future roles. Participants need to demonstrate reflective capabilities, e.g. an awareness of gaps in their understanding, insights into strengths and weaknesses, as well as being conscious of any career decisions. Participants must show awareness that this is the first stage of lifelong learning and how this process will continue into the workplace.

. Participants must be able to evaluate their performance and understand the significance of the journey of self discovery whilst at University. Participants must be able to reflect on their activities and must be able to identify and communicate evidence of their skills and attributes. Participants should keep each example to a maximum of 350 words, but no less than 300 words.

Word count

iv) Section 4: Referring back to your Plan Requirements/Assessment Criteria

Inclusion of Plan Ability to reflect on your plan

Evidence required
Participants MUST include a copy of their plan with their Sheffield Graduate Award portfolio. Participants must be able to reflect on their plan. This can include commenting on the process of undertaking your activities, issues that contributed to a change of plan or feedback on taking part in the Award Participants should keep their answer to a maximum of 150 words, but no less than 100.

Word count

v)- Overall Portfolio Requirements/Assessment Criteria

Professional in appearance and presentation

Evidence required
Participants portfolios must be word processed. Participants need to observe professional presentation of their portfolio, including spelling, grammar and ability to follow instructions. Participants need to write in the first person with a high degree of specificity, for example use personal words such as I, feel, me, my mine The portfolio must be clearly identifiable as the participants own piece of work and reflect their work as an individual.

Accuracy and authenticity

Information provided in the portfolio must be accurate,

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authentic and up-to-date.

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