‘The HEAR supporting the student experience’ What is the HEAR? The Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) is the official Ulster University document for full-time undergraduate students which provides a record of student achievement while studying at Ulster and meets the purposes of the Diploma Supplement. July 2014 the first students graduated with the HEAR. The HEAR supports the development of Ulster Graduate Qualities by capturing more fully the totality of the student experience at university by enabling students to represent a wider range of their achievements to employers and postgraduate tutors thereby enhancing their employability. The HEAR includes the traditional academic transcript and information about the qualification obtained. It also contains at Section 6.1 a record of extracurricular activity engagement. Activities for inclusion within Section 6.1 can be proposed if they meet the following protocols: Information currently available within Section 6.1: • CPPD modules • Ulster EDGE Award summary Additional information that will be included for July 2015 graduates: • Listing of Ulster EDGE Award activities in Section 6.1 • EDGE Award Student of the Year. • Work Placement Year • Study Abroad Year The Way forward Outsourced solution with GradIntel - A solution is currently being implemented to give students/graduates secure access to their electronic HEAR document in a hosted area throughout their working life. This will enable the document to be shared electronically with an authorised third party such as an employer. It is planned that this will be rolled out for students graduating in 2015. HEAR 6.1 Protocols • The achievement is verifiable and endorsed by the University. • The opportunity to undertake the achievement is open to all students, in principle. • Information is presented factually, not opinion-based. • The role/achievement/outcome is defined by regulation (e.g. prizes, sabbatical officer). • The role/achievement/position supports a University process and is verifiable. • The achievement/role supports wider University policy and strategy. How can the HEAR be used to support the student experience? HEAR can be used as both a formal exit document and as a formative Document. It can be: • Accessed by both staff and students on the portal • Used in studies advice sessions • Included as agenda item for Staff Student Consultative committee • Included as agenda item at induction sessions for new and returning students Future Plans Exploration of the employability features of new hosted solution, including: • Facilities to promote its employability and alumni functions to students and graduates • Matching service to connect opportunity providers with qualified candidates • Online assessment centre For more information on HEAR contact: [email protected] Screenshot of Section 6.1 of the HEAR transcript on the portal