Welcome to the Dundee Graduate Skills Award

1. Employability.

The employment market for graduates is extremely competitive and selectors are looking for clear evidence that you can demonstrate a range of graduate skills. The Dundee Graduate Skills Award, which is based on skills identified by the CBI, provides you with a clear structure and the means to do this.

2. Personal Development.

The Skills Award enables you to manage how you develop at University. You will be encouraged to recognise the skills you gain from what you do alongside your university studies e.g. part time jobs, volunteering, sports and university/community activities. It will also help you to be strategic in optimising your personal development through the opportunities you select during your time at university. See the How to Gain Skills Section for further details.

Step 1: Register for the Award. Once you have registered for the award you will receive an email from the Careers Service providing further details of the award scheme. For more information you are strongly advised to sign up for one of the optional regularly run induction sessions, which will explain the Dundee Graduate Skills Award (DGSA) in more detail. These sessions, which will be held in the Careers Service, will be advertised on What's On OLD.

Step 2: You will find a Skills Award tab on My PDP. This includes a list of eight key skills which graduate employers seek from students. It is based on the CBI list of graduate skills. You are unlikely to have all of these skills when you start. So begin by writing about those you do have, with examples of how you have developed them, and will then go on to develop more.

Step 3: To help you develop additional skills, you can try new experiences, focussing on skills you don’t have or those you need to improve on. All the details are on the 'How to Gain Skills' section.

Step 4: Once you have reached 3rd year of your undergraduate studies or beyond, you can apply to be assesed for the Award. This involves self-reflection on your achievements, using the evidence and examples from your Skills Award page on My PDP. Full details are available on the 'How to Get the Award' section. Your application will be peer assessed and you will have the opportunity to peer assess others. These assessments are validated by the Careers Service.

Step 5: If successful, you will receive the Award. For some, further development may be required, after which you may reapply.

The University of Dundee and its Students' Association (DUSA) has a fantastic range of opportunities to help you develop new skills and experiences. These range from paid part time jobs, volunteering, membership of clubs and societies and getting involved with student representation.

The following provides examples of how you can get involved:

Step 1: Register for the Award.

Step 2: For more information you may sign up for one of the optional regularly run induction sessions, which will explain the DGSA in more detail. These sessions, which will be held in the Careers Service, will be advertised on What's On OLD.

Step 3: You will find a Skills Award page on My PDP. This includes a list of eight key skills which graduate employers seek from students. It is based on the CBI list of graduate skills. You are unlikely to have all of these skills when you start, so you begin by writing about those you do have, with examples of how you have developed them, and will then go on to develop more.

Step 4:To help you develop additional skills, you can try new experiences, focussing on skills you don't have or those you need to improve on. These may include part-time work, volunteering and getting involved in student representation.

Step 5: Once you reach Level 3 (or beyond), you can apply for the Award. This involves self-reflection on your achievements, using the evidence and examples from your Skills Award page on My PDP.

Step 6: Your application will be peer assessed by fellow students and you will have the opportunity to peer assess others at a session arranged by the Careers Service. This session will be based on peer review of the completed Standard Application Form. If successful, you will receive the Award. For some, further development may be required, after which you may reapply.