Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

Court medals

Court Medals are awarded at each level (year) of each programme for the best overall student performance in that group.

Prizes

There are also a range of prizes awarded for specific achievements within programmes. For example the Donaldson Prize is awarded to the student presenting the best dissertation in the Social Science degree programme. Talk to your programme leader about criteria for prizes on your programme of study.

Prizes, Court Medals and the HEAR

All prizes and court medals awarded will also be included in your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). If you win a Medal or Prize then you will be invited to a prize giving ceremony on your campus. Keep an eye on you student emails.

Do you want to volunteer or do you already volunteer? You can get voluntary work recognised by the University for your HEAR. UWS Volunteer Recognition Award is only a few steps away.

To apply now or for more information email recognition@uws.ac.uk.

The programme has enabled students to gain an insight into a particular industry and the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge about what employers look for. Through one-to-one support with their mentors students gained help with developing their confidence, goal setting, CV building, application forms and mock interviews.

To find out more about the programme please contact Lynsey McMahon at lynsey.mcmahon@uws.ac.uk or 0141 848 3451.

Being a Student Rep is a great way to make new friends and to feel part of UWS. If you are an active Student Rep this will be included in your HEAR.

Find out more about becoming a Student Rep on the Student Association website

Find out more about the Team UWS please contact sportenquiry@uws.ac.uk and Student Rep on the SAUWS website.

This award is about helping individuals to take ownership of their future. It helps participants understand and recognise self-defeating behaviours and seeks to increase self-esteem and confidence.

Student’s must completed the UWS Change Maker Award. In completing this they will have completed an intensive 3 day training course, identified some key goals and then over a period of 3 months they have set about achieving these goals. In achieving this Award the student has demonstrated resilience, professionalism and has developed their self-efficacy.

The criteria to achievie this award is set out as:

1. Attendance on training is recorded in activity database
2. Student identifies goals and they are recorded in activity database
3. Students completing the training join a Moodle site where they can exchange information and offer support to each other in achieving their goals
4. At the end of the trimester student submits a short piece of reflection in the form of a short film or brief written report on how they have progressed towards their identified goals. The training is delivered by an external organisation – Youth at Risk. Typically we deliver the training to a single group of students each year who volunteer for the experience.

This award is not currently available.

The Aspire Award covers evidence of digital professionalism, career planning, vocational experience and reflection through a CV and statement.

Once complete the student will have demonstrated self-awareness, digital professionalism and an ability to articulate key attributes and business critical skills. The student will have attended career planning workshops and given evidence of qualities gained through vocational experience.

Student participation in the Aspire Award is monitored by Careers and Employability staff as they progress through the Moodle Module, and complete relevant sections. Students receive regular communication, reminding them of progress so far and required actions to complete elements of the award. Student submittions are verified and quality checked by the careers and employability team.

To find out more please contact Colin Dewar at colin.dewar@uws.ac.uk

This Award is given to students who actively engage in a Campaign, by administering social media sites, liaising with external partners, participating in training programmes or leading campaign related workshops.

The criteria to achieve this award is set out as:

• Demonstrate skills in engaging third sector parties with the aims and objectives of a
  Campaign (e.g. Standing Safe)
• Contribute to relevant activities (e.g. campaign events, workshops) and has worked with peers to raise awareness about campaign related issues.
• Develop communication skills (by liaising with external parties and leading or participating in workshops), leadership skills by organizing activities or administering social media platforms and
  social responsibility by reflecting on issues that underpin the campaign
• The campaign must be led by students and staff in partnership, across different Schools and in partnership with external organisations, or third sector agencies and students should be contributing to or leading projects, directly engaging with experienced professionals, activists or the larger community. The campaign should be underpinned by a commitment to fostering respect for equality, diversity and human rights, which is at the core of the University’s code of practice as well as student-staff partnerships and innovative learning. Students who are actively  involved in campaigning will gain valuable, life affirming knowledge, a variety of transferable skills and the chance to work alongside senior members of the third sector and experienced activists and community leaders.

To find out more about the Standing Safe campaign, please contact Dr Kallia Manoussaki at kallia.manoussaki@uws.ac.uk

Contact the Student Engagement Team (studentengagement@uws.ac.uk) if you are interested in getting involved in another Campaigning activity.

The concept of the Wee University of the West of Scotland is based upon the principle of ‘All teach, all learn’. The Wee University of the West of Scotland provides opportunities to build an inclusive community of learning, where BA Childhood Studies students work in partnership with local early learning and childcare centres to promote family learning and innovative, creative learning experiences for young children.

Each student must contribute to planning, providing and evaluating one Wee University of the West of Scotland session for children and parents/ carers at a selected early learning and childcare setting over the academic year.

Students who participate in the Wee University of the West of Scotland have successfully demonstrated key graduate attributes and employability skills of BA Childhood Studies students entering the workplace, including;

• Communication - Communicating effectively their knowledge, understanding and skills, in a range of settings and applying evidence-based solutions
• Working with others - Business and Customer awareness, Team and group working, Leadership
• Personal Competencies Integrity, Attention to detail and accuracy, Confidence
• Global Citizenship, Ethical and Social Awareness Nurturing a reflective awareness of ethical dimensions, and responsibilities to others, in work and everyday life
• Lifelong learning - Equipping students with the ability and interest to continue to enlarge their knowledge, understanding and skills throughout their working lives
• Students gather evidence of participation at event, e.g. photographs, feedback from children, parents, staff in early years setting.
• Students record participation on their Employability Skills Tracker and provide a brief reflection in their Placement file submitted at the end of each trimester.
• Students are asked to keep their own records in case of any dispute; all students will be reminded that any willful act of dishonesty will be reported to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and may constitute a ‘fitness to practice’ issue.
• Students eligible for HEAR recognition are identified when they apply to obtain HEAR.
• Activity Titles are added to student records via a bulk upload of data from a spreadsheet.

To find out more please contact Dorothy Johnson at dorothy.johnson@uws.ac.uk

PASS is a co-curricular activity which runs in areas of the University alongside Level 7/1st Year of some programs. PASS leaders from higher years facilitate the learning of L7 students in timetables classes.

The student will have worked as a Leader in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS). In completing this they have completed an intensive 2 day training course, worked in a team to prepare classes for first year students, and facilitated junior students’ learning in timetabled, co-curricular classes over at least one trimester.

In achieving this Award the student has demonstrated professionalism, facilitation skills, team work, and has developed their self-efficacy.

1. Attendance on training (one half-day before summer, and 1 ½ days in weeks 1 and 2) is recorded by trainer
2. Student is assigned PASS sessions for 1 Term and leads these
3. Students attend end-of-trimester debrief session and reflect on their experiences, suggesting good practice to be implemented in following sessions

The training for Psychology students is delivered by Dr. Graham Scott, a qualified PASS leader who has been trained by the PASS/SI (Peer Assisted Study Sessions/Supplemental Instruction) Centre, Lund University, Sweden

Contact the Student Engagement Team (studentengagement@uws.ac.uk) if you are from another programme and are interested in getting involved in the PASS scheme.

To find out more please contact Graham Scott (Psychology) at graham.scott@uws.ac.uk

The Student Mentoring Programme encourages encourages existing students to provide pastoral and/or professional development support for other undergraduate students. It is a voluntary scheme where students offer to support other students in addition to their University work. It is a student-led activity as student mentors are responsible for maintaining contact with their allocated student(s) throughout the academic year. Mentoring is not related to workplace or academic study.

• By undertaking the Student Mentoring Programme, the student will have demonstrated pastoral support and/or professional development support, which may have included (but is not restricted to) feedback support, provision of networking opportunities, sharing good practice, acting as a ‘sounding board’ for ideas.
• By maintaining contact with an allocated student (or students) throughout the academic year, this student has gained skills in creating supportive learning conversations, and nurturing environments for professional reflection and sharing.
• Through a climate of mutual respect and confidentiality, this student has demonstrated their professional commitment.
• The student has been provided with guidance on mentoring through the student Induction and/or equivalent processes, and has initiated contact with their allocated student(s) on at least three separate occasions in any given academic year.
• The student has offered pastoral or extra-curricular mentoring support to one or more other students by contacting them on at least three separate occasions in any given academic year.
• Students eligible for HEAR recognition are identified when they apply to obtain HEAR. Given the confidential nature of exchanges between student mentors and their mentees, it will not always be possible or appropriate to obtain ‘evidence’ for each HEAR application (e.g. private email records, text messages, social media exchanges, phone calls should not be reproduced as ‘evidence’).

Students are therefore asked to keep their own records in case of any dispute.

Contact the Student Engagement Team (studentengagement@uws.ac.uk) if you are interested in getting involved in another Mentoring activity

UWS Volunteer Recognition Award aims to recognise the investment that a student makes in their skills and employability by undertaking voluntary work. Awards are made at Classic, Leadership and Strategy levels representing the levels of skill the student has demonstrated (operational, leadership and strategic respectively).

The student will complete the UWS Volunteer Recognition Award. In completing this they have undertaken a volunteering experience. This experience included a period of training, a period of volunteering of no less than 20 hours, they will complete a skills log identifying the skills developed through the volunteering experience and a skills activity review, endorsed by their manager on the volunteering experience.

Awards can be made at Classic, Leadership or Strategic Levels. For all levels of award participants must undergo training, complete a skills audit and undertake at least 20 hours of volunteering:

• Classic: Training, Volunteering & Skills Audit
• Leadership: Training, Volunteering and Skills Audit - participant must demonstrate Leadership elements within their experience.
• Strategic: Training, Volunteering & Skills Audit - participant must demonstrate Strategic elements within other experience.

To find out more please contact Nigel Royle at nigel.royle@uws.ac.uk

This award recognises students who have engaged with Internationalisation, who can demonstrate that they can work with people from different countries and different cultures.

The student will complete an international activity while studying at UWS. In completing this they have travelled internationally as part of their University experience and have either worked or studied internationally.

• On completion of the International Activity students should be asked to complete a short piece of reflective work. The work should reflect on the cultural and other competences developed through the experience. If written we would expect the work to be up to 500 words although we would encourage participants to use other formats such as video for their reflection.
• Students matching the criteria will be nominated by their School or the appropriate member of staff within the International Centre. Nominations will be passed to the Student Engagement Team for collation and inclusion on the HEAR.

This award recognises students who have engaged with Internationalisation, who can demonstrate that they can work with people from different countries and different cultures.

To find out more please contact your School Erasmus Coordinator.

This student has acted as a Residential Assistant, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students living in University Accommodation. The role involves significant commitment in offering peer support by getting to know residents and identifying existing or potential welfare, security issues or sharing problems. They have developed an understanding of when an intervention or referral is necessary.

The student has also developed and delivered a full social programme aimed at for residents to feel engaged, part of a community, and part of a positive residence experience.

The criteria to achieve this award is set out as:

• Complete the Res Life Training Programme
• Fulfil the role of Residential Assistant for the full duration of the Accommodation Contract

Register for the Award

StAR is a scheme which allows students to become involved with current staff research projects, gaining experience for between 15-25 hours with a designated staff member over a period of up to 8 weeks, and developing 2 specific skills (e.g., literature searching, critical analysis, data analysis) agreed upon by student, supervisor and scheme coordinator before the commencement of the project. Skills will vary between projects.

The student will participate in Psychology’s StAR (Student Associate Researcher) scheme. In completing this they have worked closely with a psychology staff member on an active research project over the course of a trimester, actively contributing to current research in the school and engaging in specific activities to develop two key skills. In achieving this Award the student has demonstrated professionalism and resilience, and has developed their research skills and self-efficacy.

1. Agree a plan of work with designated staff member including specific activities to develop 2 skills, and agrees by scheme coordinator.
2. Carry out agreed plan of work.
3. Reflect on experience in a 500 word report.

To find out more please contact Graham Scott at graham.scott@uws.ac.uk

The aim of this scheme is to provide opportunity for undergraduate students to gain research experience and employability skills, and to provide support for research active psychology staff. In T1, T2, and T3 research experience opportunities will be advertised to undergraduate students. They will be able to apply to work on a maximum of 2 projects in each window, and will be assigned to a maximum of 1 project in each window.

The students: In T1 and T2 only students in L9 will be allowed to apply to engage with projects. In T3, any student who has completed L8, L9, or L10 can be considered.

To find out more please contact Graham Scott at graham.scott@uws.ac.uk

The Saltire Scholar Internship Programme matches high-potential undergraduates from Scottish universities with leading global and entrepreneurial companies, charities, social enterprises, and small and medium sized enterprises - from Glasgow to San Francisco to Singapore.

The student will undertake a rigorous and competitive recruitment process to secure a place on the Saltire Internship Programme. During the internship itself the student will work within the company and as a key member of the team will have contribute to key projects and work of the company. In completing this internship the student will have developed key graduate attributes and gained professional work experience.

1. Completion of the internship over the 8-10 weeks as stated in the application process.
2. Verification by Saltire/Entrepreneurial Scotland to Careers and Skills that the students completed the internship.
3. Student will act as an ambassador for Saltire/Entrepreneurial Scotland and promote the Saltire Scholar Internship Programme to future UWS students.

Saltire Scholar Internship Programme is organised by Saltire/Entrepreneurial Scotland and offers students an opportunity to work with leading global and entrepreneurial companies, charities, social enterprises, and small and medium sized enterprises in the UK and across the world. The programme is open to all level 9 students across Scotland and is therefore highly competitive. For any student to gain an internship is a very impressive achievement.

To find out more please contact Lindsay McDonald at lindsay.mcdonald@uws.ac.uk

This student has actively engaged in an extracurricular activity.

This has involved activities such as organising events, running meetings, fundraising, recruiting members, presenting at conferences.

In certifying this award we have ensured that the student has fully engaged with the role.

Roles such as these will develop the students’ motivation, initiative and highlights a sense of community in the participant.

The criteria to achieve this award is set out as:

• Be nominated by a member of UWS or Students’ Association staff (including Sabbatical Officers)
• Staff member should complete the registration form, on behalf of the nominated student.
• Staff member will be asked to provide a short supporting statement

Register for the Award

This student has actively engaged with UWS Clubs and Societies and has fulfilled a positive role within a club or society.

This has involved taking an organising role on the committee of a sports club or society. Taking on this role will normally involve being elected, taking part in training and taking office for a full term.

In certifying this award we have ensured that the student has undertaken all appropriate training and fully engaged with the role.

Roles such as these will develop the students’ leadership, organisational skills, influencing skills and highlights a sense of community in the participant.

The criteria to achieve this award is set out as:

• Be elected or co-opted onto a Club Sport Committee according to UWS protocols
• Serve a full term in office - that is, from the date of handover to you following the committee's election until the date of handover to the next committee following the committee's election
• Attend the full duration of a club committee training session with UWS/SAUWS staff
• Provide a short piece of reflection on the experience of carrying out the role (max 500 words or a short film)

Register for the Award

The following activities are not eligible for inclusion in the HEAR:

• work for University or Students’ Association retail and catering outlets
• activities undertaken outside the University or its Students’ Association (e.g. volunteering roles that are not offered through UWS)
• employment outside the University
• activities achieved before admittance to the University

The section numbers mirror the Diploma Supplement.

Section 1

Basic student details, e.g. name and student ID.

Section 2

Qualification title and subject, including the awarding institution.

Section 3

Detailed information on the qualification, including level of study, duration and entry requirements.

Section 4

The contents and results of the Programme, including an academic transcript.

Section 5

The function of the qualification (e.g. access to further study or professional status). 

Section 6

Verifiable extra-curricular awards, activities and achievements (e.g. prizes).

Section 7

Date of issue, signature of Registrar and the University 'stamp'.

Your official HEAR will be issued to you as a PDF file, via a secure online system that you will be able to access both before and after graduation. The HEAR conforms to the national HEAR template, which is based on the structure of the Diploma Supplement (and is accepted as an official variant). The Diploma Supplement is already used across Europe, and helps institutions understand the different type of higher education systems and qualifications that exist.

An example HEAR can be viewed here. 

As a student at UWS, you have access to a wealth of different opportunities to make your university experience unforgettable. Coming to university isn't just about seminars, lectures and exams. It's also about developing as a person and gaining experience and skills to help you succeed in your studies, and with whatever you choose to do after university.

The University can now help you to demonstrate all the valuable experience and skills you have gained, by giving you official recognition for not only your academic achievements, but also your wider engagement and learning, by recording this in your HEAR.

If you take advantage of all the extra-curricular opportunities that the University and the Students' Union (SU) provide, you can gain recognition for this wider involvement.

Information about your extra-curricular activities and awards that meet the criteria for HEAR recognition will be added to your HEAR by University/SU staff (the HEAR is an official document, so students cannot add information to it themselves).

If you have any questions or concerns about the criteria/process for gaining HEAR recognition, you should speak to your activity organiser at the earliest opportunity.

A HEAR Advisory Board was established in Spring 2016, prior to the launch of the Internal HEAR at UWS in the summer of 2016. The HEAR Advisory Board is responsible for overseeing long-term HEAR management at the University and will normally meet two times a year.

Membership largely comprises former HEAR Project Steering Group members. However, the group has been widened to ensure representation of all long-term HEAR stakeholders, and reporting links will be created with additional groups, including the Students' Union HEAR Management Group and the Careers Advisory Board.

The HEAR Guidance and Inclusion Criteria document explains the criteria that activities must meet.