Stand Out!

Who can I contact if I have questions regarding the awards?

Please contact your Learning Development coordinator, Dr Alicja Syska, via email or drop in during weekly open hours (Fridays, 10.00 to 12.00, in the Student Services Hub). You can also discuss the scheme with your PALS leaders or with your personal tutor. 

Who can I contact if I have questions regarding the Awards?
If at any point you have questions about Stand Out, please contact your LD Coordinator, Dr Alicja Syska. Alternatively, you can discuss the scheme with your PALS leaders during PALS sessions or with your personal tutor in PDP tutorials. 

What are the benefits of the Awards?
The tasks involved in completing the projects not only illuminate the essential graduate attributes you are expected to develop over the course of study but also allow you to demonstrate concrete examples of mastering these skills to future employers. The Awards recognise and celebrate your extracurricular achievements and will contribute to improving your chances for employment in a subject-related field.

Additional benefits:
The Awards will be displayed in your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) upon graduation.
You will be automatically enrolled in the prestigious Plymouth Award, so you can extend your achievements even further.

What help can I expect?
All the projects (with the exception of the Successful Collaboration Award) are individual and you’re expected to work on them in your own time and at your own pace. Nonetheless, you can expect to receive support:

• From your Personal Tutor: You can discuss your ideas with your personal tutor who may offer you advice and feedback on your progress. On completion, you will present the project to them and they will award you a certificate. 
• From Learning Development: Your LD coordinator, Dr Alicja Syska, holds open hours for consultation (Fridays 10.00-12.00 in the Student Services Hub) and you can drop in for a project-orientated meeting.
• From the PALS leaders: PALS sessions might help you to explore ideas for the projects. There are multiple sessions to choose from in each term. Please contact your PALS leaders for scheduling details.

Will my project be marked?
No. You are solely responsible for the quality of your project and it will be checked only to the extent that it achieves its objectives. If it doesn’t, it will not pass.

Can I work with another student on an Award?
Only if you’re working on the Successful Collaboration Award. Projects for all other Awards have to be completed individually.

Is there a deadline for any project?
No, but they must be completed before you receive your final marks in the final year of your study.

What if my tutor cannot meet me to sign off the project?
You can meet with the LD Coordinator instead (Dr Alicja Syska). She will act on behalf of your tutor.

Can I pursue my own project instead of the ones listed in the guidebooks?
You are encouraged to initiate your own project if none of the existing tasks appeal to you and you have a good idea for your own. However, you must be able to demonstrate that your proposed project will involve the skills listed under the particular Award. Please feel free to contact your LD coordinator or personal tutor if you would like to discuss your own ideas.

How will I know when PALS sessions, Accelerate workshops, research seminars and The Arts Institute talks take place?
Please contact your PALS Leaders for details about the PALS sessions.
Details about Accelerate workshops can be found on the University website.
For information about the research seminars, please check with the programme.
Visit The Arts Institute website for events listings.

Do I have to attend different skills development sessions or can I go to three PALS sessions?
Each session has to be of a different type, e.g. one research seminar, one personal tutorial and one PALS session.

Can I attend a different type of event, not listed here, for example a job fair or an exhibition?
Yes, as long as it takes place on the University campus and you have evidence of your attendance.

What kind of evidence will be accepted?
It can be a ticket, a signature of the person running the event, a confirmation note, even a photograph – there are many ways of confirming your participation. Please check with your LD coordinator.

Do I have to complete the Plymouth Award?
No, it’s entirely up to you. Initiating a Stand Out Award will automatically enrol you in the Plymouth Award but you’ll need to take other steps to complete the scheme.