Graduate Attributes > What works for students?

The University of Wolverhampton’s Graduate Attributes project aims to research the impact of the three graduate attributes on both the student experience, and on learning and teaching.

We aim to produce Wolverhampton Graduates who are knowledgeable and enterprising, digitally literate and are global citizens.

The following student statements are a selection of responses from 52 student interviews conducted by the Institute for Learning Enhancement, which demonstrate how close the University is to achieving the three Graduate Attributes.

www.wlv.ac.uk/graduate

MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/

Towards Knowledge & Enterprise University of Wolverhampton graduates will know how to critique, analyse and then apply knowledge they acquire in an enterprising way. They will use knowledge to seek out opportunities to advance their careers and entrepreneurial drive, nurturing their own intellectual curiosity, and exciting others to do the same.

The University has given me the qualification that I’m going to need to progress in my career…and on top of that I’ve got plenty of opportunity for personal development.

Third year student

A (Wolverhampton) degree has given me the skills to go out into the wider world.

Second year student

The skills that you pick up, things like volunteering, communication skills, being able to work with people etc. Things that make you a more well-rounded person that employers would want to seek out for their positions. They give you that ‘edge’ on other people.

Third year student

www.wlv.ac.uk/graduate

MAC132

Towards Digital Literacy University of Wolverhampton graduates will be confident users of advanced technologies; they will lead others, challenging convention by exploiting the rich sources of connectivity digital working allows.

I feel proud of mastering IT skills, I didn’t know anything about computers.

Second year student

The best thing about Wolverhampton is the virtual learning environment...WOLF is nice and easy to use.

Third year student

I have gained digital skills working effectively with technology.

Third year student

WOLF, e:Vision, PebblePad…I couldn’t have done two years of my course without this stuff.

Second year student

www.wlv.ac.uk/graduate

MAC132

Towards Global Citizenship University of Wolverhampton graduates will bring informed understanding of their place and ethical responsibilities in the world. They will have personal and professional values that help them to lead, and take a substantial role in their local, national and global communities.

It broadens your horizons…It’s a very multi-cultural place.

Third year students

One of the best things about Wolverhampton is it’s so culturally diverse.

Second year student

It’s a diverse centre of knowledge that encourages cultural exchange and interaction. It’s a great place to study and meet some wonderful people along the way.

You can pick any culture, race or nationality, and you will find it here at Wolverhampton and the mix works well.

Graduate student 2009

Third year student

www.wlv.ac.uk/graduate

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Sense of belonging I met lots of different people really quickly and I think the Best Mates scheme is a good thing.

They encourage you to go out and make friends.

University is not just about a degree; it’s about the skills, the friends and the relationships you make.

Second year student

Second year student

Making friends definitely helps just in keeping your spirits up and gives you a big motive to getting your studies done.

Everyone is there to help you out. Those are the kind of things that will keep you here.

Second year student

Third year student

Being a School Representative and having involvement with the Students’ Union makes me feel I belong to the community.

Being a mature student, I came to University knowing not one person here. I have left knowing everyone on my course.

Third year student

I was previously shy, but am now more confident and outgoing.

First year student

Third year student MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Interactive pedagogies

The lecturers are very good at what they do: inspirational and passionate, using interactive teaching methods such as group work and online seminars.

I love lectures where there is interaction and debate. If you argue a point rather than write it you learn more.

Third year student

There are inspiring lecturers who are engaging and interact with the students.

Graduate student

Second year student

Lecturers are very knowledgeable and have lots of personal experience to draw on.

Second year student

Lecturers are approachable and easy to talk with. They show enthusiasm. I like the presentation style how they lecture and the diversity of activities and exercises we have.

The style of teaching is a good mix of traditional style lectures combined with film clips and group discussion. A very student-orientated delivery.

Graduate student

First year student

MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Cultural diversity The University reflects society as it is today.It just makes a whole better experience, meeting people from different cultures and different countries.

There is no way of really describing the interaction with the mix of students.

It’s like getting to know something that you are not used to and it gives you a different experience.

Second year student

Third year student

You can sit there and get to know people who have so many different ideas in the way they were brought up, in the way their education was done.

Second year student

One of best thing about Wolverhampton is that it’s so culturally diverse - a big mix of students from different cultures.

I have met a lot of different people with a lot of different ideas. I don’t always agree with them, but you have to hear them to know what their opinion is.

Third year student

Third year student MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Responsive lecturers If you want extra guidance or feedback you can just pop over and see them.

Third year student

I like the way of teaching, the lecturers ask if you have any doubts. They clarify any doubts – they show patience.

Third year student

They listen and respond to student feedback, they change the way they do things.

Third year student

The lecturers I had made a really big difference in making things a lot easier.

Second year student

They understand when you genuinely have a problem and they are the ones that would keep you at University.

Third year student

The lecturers are always here to support you. You just email them and they give you feedback.

Third year student

MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Social learning environment

I love the enjoyable and comfortable learning environment.

I like having a cybercafé, where you can take food near a computer and do group work.

First year student

Second year student

The extensive choice in the library.

University facilities – modern and up-to-date IT facilities.

First year student

First year student

Wolverhampton is a ‘social’ university that has a good feeling around the campus, relaxed atmosphere, with a strong community aspect to studying.

Third year student MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Some unanswered questions

What preparation can be given to students during the transitional period between getting their university place and attending the university?

Will Graduate Attributes secure a clearer return on students’ financial investment?

How do we grow the commitment of our least engaged students?

What else could be done to add value to the student experience?

MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

What works for students?

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

Technology in learning

The facilities are really brilliant and everything is really just one click away.

WOLF and e:Vision are helpful in keeping you up-to-date with content and grades.

Second year student

Third year student

I use Wolf every day. If I’m in work, I can access it on my phone.

Constant updates of lecture notes in Wolf – superb.

First year student

First year student

We cannot live without Wolf. You need it dayby-day to access your e-mails, and see what’s updated.

Some of my lecturers would record lectures and put them online.

Graduate student

Third year student

MAC132

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks