Implementing the Graduate Skills Framework for New Programme Proposals

Implementing the Graduate Skills Framework for New Programme Proposals

From the 2008/09 academic session all new programme proposals are required to map to the Graduate Skills Framework. During the implementation phase of the Framework there are 2 options for how this can be done:

Minimum requirement: at programme level.

This option would be suitable for new programme proposals that contain:

• mostly existing modules, which have not already been mapped onto the Framework.
• cross-School provision, where it would be difficult to gather all the information for each module in a timely way that corresponds with the programme approval schedule.

Proposers that choose this option should complete the programme-level skills map. The focus here is on the Skills listed in the right-hand column. The Skills are identified by indicating corresponding module codes. However, not all the modules that are delivered as part of the programme will necessarily be identified in the mapping exercise. Consequently, detailed mapping to the Framework at module-level will need to be undertaken at a later date.

Please note that it is not expected that every programme will include all the Skills in the Framework.

Optimum level: at module level.

This option would be suitable for new programme proposals that:

• contain a substantial proportion of new modules.
• where some modules have already mapped to the Framework.
• where the modules for the programme are delivered by a discrete team of staff, such that it is manageable to gather the information for each module in a timely way to correspond with the programme approval schedule.

Undertaking the full mapping exercise at this stage will avoid the exercise having to be re-visited at a later date. Proposers that choose this option should complete the Graduate Skills Framework Excel spreadsheet. The focus here is to express whether a Skill is Present (P), or Assessed (A) for each module. Choosing the assessed designation does, of course also indicate that the Skill is present. Please see the example of a completed spreadsheet. The ‘extra-curricular skills’ tab has been developed from information provided by the relevant services and can, therefore be used for all programmes.

Following the approval of the programme the Quality in Learning and Teaching Service will enter the module data into the Graduate Skills Framework (GSF) database that is currently being piloted. Once the database goes live (scheduled for March 2009) the module data can be used to inform any number of programmes, via the programme report function in the database. The data in the GSF database will be incorporated into the 2010/11 version of the module outline forms, thus obviating the need for the module leader to complete the data at a later stage in the MOFS GSF Appendix.