The Edinburgh Award for Professional Development represents a great opportunity to start thinking about your own development in a supportive and relaxed environment, feel part of the Business School community, and meet new people in your year.

Award open to all 2nd year students in the Business School. Register your interest to receive an invitation to our first Edinburgh Award session in October 2024.

Register your interest

Participants are offered access to:

  • Group coaching sessions
  • Peer support networks
  • Masterclasses on topics such as:
    • Developing personal strengths
    • Career planning
    • Presentation skills
    • Time management

There are also opportunities to become a student coaching leader which is also part of the School’s Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) initiatives.

What's involved?

The Award is wrapped around a variety of activities and skills sessions, which means that you get to tailor your Award journey to your own development needs.

Select 3 skills you want to work on

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

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Verbal Communication and Presentation
  • Written Communications
  • Influencing
  • Cross-cultural Communication
  • Ethics and Social Responsibility
  • Creativity
  • Decision Making
  • Self-awareness and Reflection
  • Independent Learning and Development
  • Numeracy and Big Data
  • Problem Solving
  • Knowledge Integration and Application
  • Independent Research
  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Leadership
  • Effective Teamworking
  • Planning and Organising
  • Assertiveness
  • Enterprising Behaviours
  • Commercial Awareness
  • Flexibility
  • Resilience

Attend 5 skills sessions and masterclasses

Throughout the year, the Student Development Team will deliver, host, and signpost you to workshops tailored to a pre-honours audience, but you can also participate in a University or even external event if they relate to your action plan.

Participate in 2 group coaching sessions

 

Experience the Business School's coaching culture; feel connected to like-minded peers, be supported across your Award journey, and stay motivated to work towards your development goals through 2 group coaching sessions led by trained Business School students.

 

Complete 24 hours of impact activities in a supportive and relaxed environment

Actively engage in at least 24 hours of activity which allows you to apply and practise the skills you have chosen.

Attend 3 group sessions with other Edinburgh Award participants

Group Session 1 is about goal setting. 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.

Reflect on your journey

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 and deliver a final presentation to share what you have learnt by working to achieve the Award.

We know you are just starting your 2nd year, but our 3rd and 4th year students continually tell us that they wish they had started investing in their own development earlier.

As well as receiving an official certificate from the University, the achievement will be recognised on your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).

How to sign up

Register your interest to receive an invitation to our first Edinburgh Award session.

Register your interest

Testimonials from students

In 2023, 99 UG students completed the Edinburgh Award in Professional Development.

Working on my chosen skills with a brilliant team has not only increased my self-confidence and improved my employability but also brought me closer to the Business School.
Aayushi Agarwal, 2nd Year Accounting and Finance
Read Aayushi's story
During the process, you will meet people and form bonds that will last a lifetime, you will learn skills and shape yourself more than you can imagine.
Sean Hutchings, 2nd Year Business with Marketing
Read Sean's story
The group coaching sessions provided a safe platform to openly discuss personal skill development (without being judged!), which I appreciated the most.
Mihika Jamnerkar, 2nd Year Business with Marketing
Read Mihika's story

Want to know more?

Contact us