The ‘STAR’ Award: Recognising Student Learning & Contribution to University Life
Dr Joy PerkinsEducational & Employability Development Adviser
What does the STAR Award involve?• Participating in a specified Students’ Association role, on-
campus support role or community volunteering role.
• Undertaking two workshops on skills development and
interview technique.
• Engaging in at least one elective personal development
workshop.
•Maintaining an ePortfolio-based reflective diary.
•Undertaking an assessed competency-based interview to measure achievement of Aberdeen Graduate Attributes.
Which Aberdeen Graduate Attributes are assessed?• An ability to communicate effectively for
different purposes and in different contexts
• An ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A capacity for self-reflection, self-discovery and personal development
• A diverse set of transferable and generic skills
• An awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses
STAR Data 2013-14 (College)
STAR Award Data 2013-14
Most popular roles
• Society/Sports Club Committee member – 43 students
• Society/Sports Club President/Captain – 30 students
• Class Representative – 29 students
What are the distinguishing lifewide learning features of the Award?
Alignment with employability-focused Graduate Attributes
Employer participation throughout the Award to provide specialist advice
Recognises co-curricular learning, development and achievement
ePortfolio use – Record of activity, skills audit and reflection
Hierarchical assessment framework – bronze, silver and gold awards
Bespoke competency-based interviews
In conclusion we believe the STAR Award:
• Is unique
• Develops students’ employability
• Enhances the student experience through recognising and rewarding co-curricular lifewide learning
www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/co-curriculum/staraward/
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