Graduate Attributes in programme and course information

Programme and course descriptors must include relevant and meaningful information on Graduate Attributes, contextualised to that degree programme or course. This section provides guidance and support.

Context

The University’s Graduate Attributes Framework describes the skills and mindsets all our students should have the opportunity to develop in broad and generic terms.

The University of Edinburgh Graduate Attributes Framework

Degree programme and course descriptors are asked to describe these attributes in discipline-specific ways – what skills and mindsets will students develop and need on that programme or course?

 

Terminology

Multiple terms are used to describe graduate attributes.  At the University of Edinburgh, we describe two different types of attribute:

Mindsets are our usual ways of thinking about something and our attitudes towards it, for example our attitude towards knowledge and learning.  Mindsets are generally developed across a degree programme experience, rather than within an individual course.

Individual courses will develop and require specific skills.  Across a degree programme, this development combines and accumulates to produce the higher-order skills of graduates from that discipline.  Examples of higher-order skills include analysis, evaluation, synthesis, critical thinking.  Other terms related to skills that are often used include abilities, competencies and capabilities.  

The University of Edinburgh Graduate Attributes Framework

 

Guidance and support

The sections below provide guidance on building graduate attributes into programme and course information. 

If you would like to discuss the graduate attributes for your course or programme, how these are articulated or supported, please get in touch.

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Guidance and examples on including Graduate Attributes in programme descriptors.

Guidance and examples on including Graduate Attributes in course descriptors.