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Queen Mary Academy

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What are graduate attributes?

Graduate Attributes are the knowledge, skills and behaviours that Queen Mary students develop as a result of their learning and experiences at university. They are closely linked to, but go beyond the core disciplinary content of a student’s programme of study. They are the qualities that prepare graduates to succeed in an ever-changing global job market and become active global citizens. 

What is the graduate attributes workstream?

The graduate attributes workstream is a cross-disciplinary and cross-functional group of colleagues and students, who have worked together to develop a process for updating Queen Mary’s 2009 graduate attributes.

The group includes academics from the three faculties, professional services staff from Careers and Enterprise, Library Services, Academic Registry and Council Secretariat, and the Queen Mary Academy. 

Importantly, the group also includes representatives of Queen Mary Students' Union as well as student interns who have contributed to the project via paid internship opportunities.  

Why are we updating our graduate attributes?

We need to ensure that Queen Mary graduate attributes are up to date and adequately equip students for employment and beyond. Equally, we want to ensure that graduate attributes are aligned with and reflect Strategy 2030 and our Queen Mary Education Approach. In line with this, we are placing co-creation with students at the heart of our new approach to graduate attributes. 

Through this work, we want to better support students to be able to recognise and articulate the attributes and skills they develop at Queen Mary, and to contribute to improved Graduate Outcomes Survey results, student satisfaction & career outcomes.

What is the approach to updating attributes?

Queen Mary graduate attributes are holistic, encompassing disciplinary and interdisciplinary skills, employer skills and Queen Mary values and behaviours. They are co-created with students, and specifically tailored to each programme of study to ensure graduates are as best prepared for life after university as possible.

The Graduate Attributes workstream group has developed this approach, which has been tested through a pilot scheme. Programme teams are asked to consider the three core areas above (disciplinary/interdisciplinary skills, employer skills and Queen Mary values and behaviours) and to review and update attributes working together with students on their programmes. 

 

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