Skip to main content
Queen Mary Academy
  1. Queen Mary Academy
  2. Educators
  3. Resources
  4. Graduate Attributes
  5. Graduate Attributes student guide
Multicoloured icons representing graduate attributes

Graduate Attributes student guide

Graduate Attributes are the knowledge, skills and behaviours that Queen Mary students develop as a result of their learning and experiences at university.

The resources on these pages have been developed by students to support you to identify, reflect on and talk about your graduate attributes.

On each of the attributes pages you will find:

  • Ideas for developing each graduate attribute: Identify the graduate attributes you have already been working on, and gather ideas for how you can develop those areas you feel need a bit more work.
  • Examples of how each graduate attribute might be assessed or evaluated: Knowing where this takes place can help you find out more about your progress and receive feedback which can identify your strengths and areas you want to develop further.
  • Example Interview questions: Draw on the examples you have identified and think about how you would use them to answer these example interview questions. The questions may also help you spot areas that you want to develop further. 
  • Alumni case studies: Queen Mary alumni share advice and talk about how they are putting their graduate attributes into use in the workplace or further study. 
  • Information and support: Links to opportunities, information, training courses and other support available both within Queen Mary and more widely.   

Why are Graduate Attributes important? We asked students what they think: 

They empower you to seek work that you want and believe that you can achieve it. Once you're in the work place, these attributes become capabilities that can help you form workplace connections and excel in your job.
To have a mind that thinks critically about life in general. Self development and confidence.

Mapping your attributes

You may find it useful to explore the different attributes you have developed through your course, extra-curricular activities and work experience. You can download this Word template to map your graduate attributes:

 Mapping your graduate attributes Word template [DOC 20KB]

Students who have mapped their own attributes said: 

I didn’t see them as attributes until now, I just thought that's part of the module and it's something we have to do. I think being more aware of what the graduate attributes are actually makes you recognise them.

Co-creation and Graduate Attributes

We are proud that the Queen Mary Graduate Attributes are co-created with students. Students and QMSU Representatives were directly involved in the development of the attributes and informed by extensive consultation with students from across Queen Mary. 

We would value your feedback on the Graduate Attributes and any suggestions for how we can enhance our support for students. 

Share your feedback or get involved

Reflections from students and Student Representatives involved in developing the Queen Mary Graduate Attributes on the process of co-creation:

I think gathering student feedback and incorporating this into the design of graduate attributes makes our process and overall result authentic. It really stands out.
— Radhika Thiagarajan, QMSU Vice President Communities 2021-23
Co-creating graduate attributes with students helps other students better understand and apply those attributes. It also allows academics to create initiatives which improve specific skills students want to develop.
— Shazil Shariff, Graduate Attributes Student Intern, 2022
Back to top