What is involved in the Edinburgh Award?

• Take ownership of your own skills development and help you to ‘future proof’ your career in a constantly changing environment
• Increase your self-awareness of both your personal strengths and areas for development
• Identify future development goals and set an action plan to reach your potential
• Confidently articulate what you have to offer to others, including employers, through development of key career skills such as CV writing, cover letters, LinkedIn and interview techniques
• Develop your support network, working as part of a cross-programme community

Award time commitment

Achieving the Award

The Award may feel different for those with little or no experience of taking ownership of their own development, such as students coming directly from a Bachelor’s degree or those new to the UK. There is a framework of support but the Award is a largely student-designed experience as the majority of learning activities are chosen by the student. Whatever your situation we encourage you to push your comfort zone to give it a try!

To achieve the Edinburgh Award you need to complete the following activities which should equate to a minimum of 50 learning hours:

1. Participate in 3 group sessions

Group Session 1 is about goal setting: learning about your ideal self, real self, and the similarities and differences between them through completion of a Wheel of Development to select three skills from the Business School Competency Framework. Session 2 provides the opportunity to reflect on what you have been practising, check in on progress, and reassess your action plan. Finally, Session 3 brings everything together, providing an opportunity to celebrate your progress with others. After each of these sessions you will be asked to write a short reflective piece – reflection is the process of exploring and examining yourself, your perspectives, attributes, experiences and actions.

2. Have 2 coaching sessions

A key component of the Edinburgh Award is 2 coaching sessions with a qualified coach. Session 1 is about raising awareness, motivation and setting an action plan around the student's development goals, while Session 2 is focused on reflecting on activities to date and sustainability.

3. Attend skills sessions and workshops – at least 16 hours

Between September and May attend a minimum of 16 hours of skills training (including up to 3 hours of career advice meetings). Student Development will deliver, host, and signpost you to workshops, but you can also participate in University or even external events if they relate to your development goal. You will log hours spent on this on an Activity Tracker.

4. Put your learning into practice – at least 22 hours.

Undertake an activity throughout your time on the Award where you can apply and practice the skills you have chosen to develop. For example, take an active role in organising an event to develop your leadership and communication skills, or design a group-based initiative to develop creativity and problem solving. You might do one large activity across your time on the Award or choose to do several smaller ones. Your time on this activity needs to add up to at least 22 hours. You will log these hours on an Activity Tracker.

More about impact activity

Time commitment and timeline

The Award runs from September to May/June each year. It is expected that each Award participant complete 50 learning hours to be eligible for the Award. You will be required to submit an 'Activity Tracker' to evidence these hours. Overall these hours are made up as follows:

• 10 hours for the group Award sessions, journal reflections, skill ratings, and final Award presentation and submission
• 16 hours for skills training workshops and masterclasses on topics relating to your development goals (including up to 3 hours of career advice meetings)
• 24 hours for coaching and impact activities; this is experiential learning (activities where you are putting your skills into practice)