How does it Work?

Throughout your course, you will take part in many activities other than your degree studies, such as volunteering, course representation, language modules, part time or vacation work and student mentoring programmes. The full range of activities can be found at:

Experience Sheffield

By registering for The Sheffield Graduate Award, you will be encouraged to take part in many activities, with your achievements recognised through participation in the Award programme. You will collect your Award certificate when you graduate and notification of the Award is made on your student record. For first year students, the Award will be included in your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), a new and comprehensive record of your university achievements, which recognises extra-curricular achievements as well as academic learning.

Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

The Sheffield Graduate Award is open to all undergraduate students and you can register your interest for the Award at any time during your undergraduate studies. However, we highly recommend that you register your interest in the programme during your first and second years. This is so that you don´t run out of time and are able to plan and choose activities from four of the six areas to fit in with your studies.

The Award is also open to postgraduate taught students.  Given that PGT students only attend the university for a limited time, it is advisable to register your interest as soon as you can so you have time to complete your Award. Because of this, the criteria are slightly different for PGT students than for undergraduates.

If you wish to register interest for the Sheffield Graduate Award, please go to:

Sheffield Graduate Award registration form

We only require your name and registration number. You will be asked to choose an induction date as you submit this form, which is a compulsory part of the Award. There are a number of dates and locations throughout the academic year from which you can attend. During the induction session, a handbook will be provided which outlines the Award in more detail.

You must register before attending one of the following induction sessions - please use the link on the right-hand side of the page.

Weds 23rd Jan 2013 1-2pm (PGT students only)
Weds 6th Feb 1-2pm
Mon 11th Feb 1-2pm (Last session for final year undergraduate students)
Weds 20th Feb 1-2pm (Level One students only)
Thurs 28th Feb 1-2pm
Tues 5th Mar 1-2pm
Wed 6th Mar 1-2pm (Level One students only)
Mon 11th Mar 1-2pm
Thurs 14th Mar 1-2pm (PGT students only)
Wed 10th Apr 1-2pm (Level One students only)
Tues 16th Apr 1-2pm
Tues 23th Apr 1-2pm (PGT students only)
Thurs 2nd Apr 1-2pm (Level One students only)
Thurs 2 May 1-2pm
Wed 15th May 1-2pm (Level One students only)
Thurs 23rd May 1-2pm (PGT students only)

Support sessions on 'How to Produce and Present your Portfolio' are offered to all final year students. It is highly recommended that you attend one of these sessions in your final year prior to writing up your portfolio.

Further details on programme enrolment will be given to students at the induction session. For final year undergraduates and postgraduates, you must ensure that you are enrolled onto the programme at least four weeks before the portfolio submission deadline date. Students should also ensure that they attend an induction session well in advance of this date.

"I have secured myself a job on a retail management scheme. However, when I was interviewed, my portfolio was considered and the interviewers were impressed that it gave them the opportunity to examine my comprehensive set of skills and the evidence I had collected. Interestingly, no other interviewee had brought any such item with them so it really attracted attention. It made the interview process more interesting for them and set me apart as a distinctive candidate". Philosophy student