ASPIRE

ASPIRE modules help deepen learning, and support students to build the mindset and skills needed to succeed in today’s world.

From the start of their degree, ASPIRE ensures that students are actively focused on their professional and personal development and are fully supported to develop their own path, driven by clear goals and ambitions that are truly right for them.

With the help of their ASPIRE Advisor and peer group support, students will develop their use of goal setting and action planning strategies and approaches to enhance their understanding of their strengths and areas for development.

Over the course of the ASPIRE modules, students will build an electronic portfolio of their work which demonstrates their capabilities, their achievements within and in parallel to their degree, and their professional identity and competencies.

After graduation, this portfolio can be used as evidence to future employers of the individuals academic, professional and personal achievements, throughout their University journey.

Students will also participate in a range of ASPIRE group projects, providing an opportunity to work together to explore topical issues and tackle challenges within a range of different contexts.

From day one, the framework provides a strong support network for students as they cultivate their path through their ASPIRE modules.

ASPIRE modules support students to become adaptable, world-ready graduates, with the globally relevant knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed and thrive, professionally and personally.

Communication
Questioning and listening skills
Non-verbal communication
Dealing with difficult conversations

Leadership
Leaders are everywhere
Leading a team
Agile leadership
People management

Culture and Identity
Equality or equity
Cultural awareness
Inclusion
Intersectionality

Digital skills
Microsoft 365
Social media for personal and professional development
Online behaviours
Accessibility

Project management
Planning your project
Project management
Evaluation

Your career
Identifying and evidencing your skills
Managing your career wellbeing
Developing your commercial awareness
Building your personal brand
Sustainability and your career

Innovation
Types of innovations
Stages of innovation
Developing enterprising skills and stakeholder awareness
Start your own business

Academic and Study Skills
Academic reading and listening
Academic writing
Presentation skills
Academic poster presentations
Time management

Wellbeing
Finding a balance
Building confidence and resilience
Empathy and understanding
Self-care
Financial wellbeing

Research skills
Effective research
Google scholar and data bases
Referencing
Research and ethical considerations

Collaboration
Group work
Emotional intelligence
Relationship building for collaboration
Intercultural communication

Thinking about thinking
Growth mindset, improving yourself
Unconscious bias
Socratic questioning
Reflective practice
Critical thinking

Benefits of ASPIRE
ASPIRE gives me the opportunity to develop useful skills which can be transferred into any career path. I get to define my own long and short-term goals and set out personal objectives with the help of my ASPIRE advisor to ensure I achieve them. ASPIRE helps me plan how I’m going to accomplish my long-term ambitions and gives me the opportunity to develop life skills, crucial for my university journey and future career.

What I’ve learned about myself
ASPIRE has helped me identify what I want to get out of my time at university, and where I can go to get the help I need to succeed. I’ve improved my communication and group-work skills, which I’m really grateful for, as both skills are important for university work and assessments. They’ll also help me when I graduate.

Activities as part of ASPIRE
The first ASPIRE module mainly consists of group conversations, and I find the class has a very casual atmosphere, which helps me discuss my thoughts, feelings, struggles and goals. I’ve created an action plan based on my goals, which helped me select the ASPIRE sessions I should attend, relating to the specific areas I’d like to develop. It’s a very personalised approach to learning and it’s important you take control of the module to get out of it what you want and need. 

A flexible approach of in-person and online
Classes are in person, which is beneficial. Speaking about your own thoughts and goals is very personal and it’s good to have human interaction. It’s also interesting to hear other people’s experiences, or what they’re willing to share.

We also undertake action planning and group work online. It’s helpful because you don’t need to do it in a specific timeframe. You can dip in and out online, on the days that suit your schedule – it’s very flexible. 

The support
I’ve felt extremely supported. We’re given one-to-one time with lecturers during the sessions, if needed. There’s also a one-to-one time every term with your ASPIRE advisor, out with the classes, where you can discuss any concerns you have about your university journey and reflect on how you’re developing. 

After graduation
I’ll absolutely use what I’ve learned on ASPIRE after graduation. I’ll use the skills I’ve learned straight away. Developing my communication and reflection skills have already helped me in my work and in my university life, and I can only imagine that with time, these will grow even further and be used in my career after I graduate. 

Final thoughts
If I had taken part in ASPIRE before I started my job in retail as a 20-year-old, I would’ve found my job a lot less daunting. I would’ve had the life skills needed when you step into employment. To anyone about to take part in ASPIRE: in the near future, when you graduate and are looking to embark on your career, you’ll be extremely grateful that you already have some of the skills that I certainly didn’t have, which might put you above others when it comes to getting that perfect job.