Professional Skills Award

The University of Surrey is renowned for developing highly sought-after graduates. Our Professional Skills Award will enhance your employability and build your confidence as you enter the world of work.

Apply

You can join the award programme via Surrey Pathfinder and will not need to make an application.

Why choose this award

This award is the perfect way to complement your studies. It will help you to focus on developing the skills you need to stand out in the employer selection process for internships, placements and graduate-level jobs. You will have the chance to enjoy new experiences, reflect on your personal development and add to your CV. 

Upon completion of the award, you will receive a certificate and your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) will be updated to reflect your extra-curricular achievements. Please note, this award is non-credit bearing.

What is involved?

As a Professional Skills Award participant you will be provided with advice on how to navigate the online award module, collect evidence for your e-portfolio which is a self-managed process, and complete the final assessment.

Six key areas must be evidenced:

  1. Gaining Work Experience (minimum of 30 hours)
  2. Developing Your Interests (minimum of 20 hours)
  3. Building Your Professional Profile
  4. Getting a Job
  5. The World of Work
  6. Final Reflection.

Award details

Assessment

A minimum 50 hours of work-related and personal interest activity must be evidenced in the e-portfolio. Participants will also develop a professional profile and undertake a range of employability skills development activities. To complete the award, participants must reflect on their award experience using the STAR technique (situation, task, action and result) to produce a written report.

Once all evidence and the final reflective assignment has been submitted, award students will receive a certificate of completion.

Contact hours

Professional Skills Award participants will be self-managing and will work through the activities and upload their evidence as they complete.

The online platform on Pathfinder has many resources to support the award.

Student blogs

Hear from other Surrey students about their experiences of undertaking a Surrey Skills Award (Previously known as the Employability Award):

Eligibility

The Professional Skills Award is available to all University of Surrey students. There is no selection process involved in undertaking the award programme.

Fees and funding

Fees

This award is free of charge.

Additional costs

Throughout the duration of your studies it is likely that you will incur additional costs related to your course.

Frequently asked questions

Please watch the introductory video in the 'Getting Started' section of the award to find guidance on how to undertake the award programme.

Terms and conditions

Please read the terms and conditions carefully before registering on the Professional Skills Award:

  1. You must ensure that your selected activities do not clash with your semester timetable or other commitments
  2. You must ensure that, to the best of your knowledge, you are able to commit to the whole duration of the award
  3. If you do not complete the award you will be withdrawn from the system, and no record of the award will appear on your transcript
  4. Assessment is by evidence of activity, completion of a reflective written piece or video and attendance at all compulsory workshops
  5. By agreeing to participate in this scheme, you agree to take part in the ongoing evaluation of the programme, which includes a final survey
  6. The University reserves the right to cancel the award in case of low numbers of students.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you undertake a programme with us. View further information about this.