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

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. Identify and understand the skills you want to work on

Choose three areas based on the Business School Competency Framework where you'd like to make a positive behavioural change. Provide a self-rating of your ability in each area at three points during the year.

2. 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. 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.

3. Have 2 coaching sessions

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

4. Attend skills sessions and workshops

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.

5. Keep a journal

Reflection is a process of exploring and examining yourself, your perspectives, attributes, experiences, and actions. It is a key element of the Award, and you are asked to write a short piece after each group session (a minimum of 2 entries) to help gain insight and identify how to move forward.

6. Impact Activity

Actively engage in at least 22 hours of activity which allows you to apply and practice the skills you have chosen. 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.

More about impact activity

7. Articulate and track your journey

In the final group session you are asked to share what you have learnt by working to achieve the Award. This encapsulates the experience and learning you feel you have gained from working towards your development goals. You are also required to submit your Award ‘Activity Tracker’ which acts as evidence of your learning hours.

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)