HR9588 - Academic Skills and Employability

Entering UK higher education requires specific skills and attributes to both manage your studies, and to communicate effectively your ideas within the academic community. This module aims to support this development at a level appropriate for where you join your programme of study.

You will consider the underpinning skills which support academic study, and which thereby support the remainder of your programme. These skills will also benefit you in the workplace and are transferrable in terms of effective business communication and related research. You will develop your academic and intellectual skills, through developing your understanding of your preferred styles of learning, as well as considering the academic requirements for appropriate research, communication, and criticality, as well as ethical research.

Employability is a objective of the University, and this module will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain an undergraduate placement or graduate level role after completing your degree. You will study a number of topics such as career planning, the application process and how to develop your own distinct offering to employers.

Support will provided by an experienced member of academic staff leading the module and delivering the workshops and lectures. You will be guided through the module with a series of lectures which will provide the theoretical foundations for the module. Your workshop seminar consists of a small number of students and here your seminar tutor provides closer, more tailored academic support, working with you each week to help you get the most from formative feedback and the learning experience overall.

The module tutor is also available to give additional support if you have particular challenges or special needs. Active participation in class is encouraged as learning from other students’ experiences is an important part of understanding academic skills, employability and career development. The module is supported by an e-learning portal which contains a rich variety of self-study materials as well as the materials you need for the seminar series. Directed learning will centre on a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for the workshops and plenary discussions.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of effective academic, communication and research skills (ML01)
• Develop and Understand the concept of employability and its practical application in your planned journey from education into employment. (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Evidence skills and abilities relating to your employability which are necessary to make successful placement and graduate-level job applications through the creation of a professional portfolio and career plan. (MLO3)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will be able to reflect upon your own skills to inform your personal development planning.(MLO4)
• You will be able to demonstrate your critical thinking skills. (MLO5)

Formative assessment will be provided throughout the seminars as each involves pre-work and in-class activity in which peer and tutor feedback will be given (for example in respect of CVs and performance in interview role-plays). The activities undertaken in seminars form the basis of the material included in the Appendices to the summative assessment.

The summative assessment consists of a portfolio of evidence comprising:
1. 1,000-word report on employment and opportunities within your chosen sector [40%].
This element will address MLO1, MLO2, MLO3

2. Group presentation [20%] demonstrating academic skills, teamwork and communication.
This element will address MLO1, MLO3

2. A 1500 word report on your planned journey from education into employment/promotion/career transition and change, including a set of appendices comprising various outputs from seminar activities, including CV, application form and cover letter [40%]
This element will address MLO4.

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This module has twin aims, firstly supporting your transition into UK higher education by developing your specific skills and attributes to both manage your studies, and to communicate your ideas effectively within the academic community and give you an insight on how these skills contribute to your professional development. The second aim is to equip you with the necessary knowledge and transferable skills to maximise your chances of finding a placement or entering a graduate level role on completion of your degree.

This module will provide you with the skills to manage your studies effectively at level 5. It develops your skills in effective communication, independent and critical thinking, and explores how these can be applied to independent research projects. You will consider how to effectively manage yourself and your studies, how to find appropriate information and use this in your academic writing, develop your academic voice across different communication styles, as well as developing your critical and ethical skills in your studies.

The module evolves through group work and independent study, exploring the concept of employability and career development. You will examine the process of recruitment and selection, and be supported in the production of CVs, cover letters and the use of psychometric tests in order to ensure that you make an impactful application to any employer.