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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