Plymouth Award

WHAT IS THE PLYMOUTH AWARD?

The Plymouth Award is designed to recognise and celebrate student achievements outside the curriculum.

Many Plymouth University students already make significant contributions to the life of the University and the communities in which they live and work. The Plymouth Award is one way of recognising the value that we place on these contributions and the learning and personal growth that students gain from these activities

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The scheme can be completed in 5 easy steps.

Register online
Complete a plan
Undertake 80 hours of activities
Write a short reflective essay
One to one discussion with a reviewer

Step 1:

Registration and payment

Once you have received your University student ID number you can register for the Award scheme. To register, complete the simple registration form.

Once the Award team has received your completed form, the Award module will be listed on your personal TULIP site for the current academic year (this may take a few days). You will receive an email confirmation from the team when this has taken place.

For queries with the eStore, please email estore@plymouth.ac.uk.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW

Plymouth campus Welcome Sessions will be available during the Autumn term 2013. More details to follow.

plym award.GIF KEY CONTACTS

plymouthaward@plymouth.ac.uk

Please note there are no more Wednesday drop-ins now until the start of the Autumn term (Wed 25th September 2013).

Telephone: +44 (0) 1752 587900

Step 2:

Complete your action plan

Every student who registers for the Award will complete a simple electronic document setting out what they plan to do as part of their journey towards achieving the Plymouth Award. This plan will include the particular activities which the student intends to undertake. Once completed, the plan is shared with the Award management team.

Time limit - The Award has only one time constraint: graduation! Students can register for the Award at any time of their studies up until 31st January of their final year. Registration then closes for final year students, however, those not in their final year can register all year round.

Support - Plymouth Award students will receive support in the form of dedicated lecture sessions which students can attend to learn about the scheme, and to learn how to reflect effectively.

Students are also invited to attend the weekly drop-in sessions in Career Gateway.

Step 3:

Undertake 80hrs of activity

We want to encourage and celebrate student engagement with as wide a range of extra-curricular activities as possible. This life-wide experience provides the basis for experiential learning in real world contexts. That’s why we ask you to engage across at least three of the following:

Personal health and wellbeing
Working life
Volunteering
Cultural and social awareness
Supporting the University community

The Award requires students to complete at least 20 hours in each of their 3 chosen areas and the total hours of activities should be more than 80. Although no extra credit is given for hours over and above the minimum, it is useful to record your total number of hours.

Retrospective counting

Students may retrospectively count their participation in activities providing that: the activities have been undertaken whilst the individual was registered as a student at the University and is varifiable.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Personal development

Time at university is precious and the opportunities to spend this time productively are almost endless. Not only do students have unparalleled access to formal educational opportunities, but also to activities that can significantly enhance their personal development and growth.

Citizens of the future

We expect our graduates to become tomorrow's leaders. The Plymouth Award gives students the chance to engage in a wide range of activities and begin to build their profile as future citizens.

Employability

Over 250,000 students graduate each year and employers and postgraduate admissions tutors are bombarded with over 40 applications for every graduate place. Students who can demonstrate that they have achieved things beyond their degree whilst at University will have an edge in the struggle to secure a worthwhile job or place on a postgraduate course. Employers demand not only a good degree, but evidence that graduates have "life-wide" experience on which they can build a successful career.

Step 4:

Complete reflective portfolio

Reflection is an integral part of many different learning cycles which should be part of being a professional. Your Award reflective portfolio is an opportunity to critically reflect on your extra-curricular activities and express meaningful learning.

Your portfolio will consist of two main parts: Your patchwork of thoughts will be produced while you are undertaking the activities, and will mark your key learning from the process. You are expected to develop a short reflective essay bringing together everything in your patchwork. A template will be given out at the reflection sessions which you should use to develop this final essay.

"As a leading employer of graduates, we recognise the important role played by the Plymouth Award in producing high-calibre, motivated individuals who are ready to enter the world of professional services."

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Step 5:

1 - 2- 1 discussion

At the end of the programme, students will be invited to attend a 1-2-1 discussion with the reviewer who looked at their reflective portfolio.

This is an optional element of the Award, however, it is advised that students make the most of this opportunity to discuss their learning and employability with a member of our team.

Students do not need to hand-in their reflections in until April of their final year.