Make the York Award your New Year resolution
The York Award is a certificated programme of skills training and experiential learning delivered in partnership with leading public, private and voluntary sector employers.
It gives you a chance to sit back and really consider everything that you have learnt from university life
As well as encouraging students to engage in the exciting development opportunities available to them at York – including volunteering, internships and participating in clubs and societies – the York Award also provides training opportunities through a short course programme. Students can learn about Intellectual Property Law with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, find out how to set up their own business with the York Enterprise Scheme and develop their Leadership Skills through a series of workshops supported by business leaders from across the region.
"The wide range of courses available via the York Award really helped me to improve myself as an individual. I truly coloured my life on campus with numerous exciting activities"
The York Award certificate, which is presented to students at their graduation ceremony in the summer, rewards those students who can demonstrate how they have developed their employability skills through their engagement in a wide range of opportunities.
The assessment process includes an application form – modelled on the types of questions posed by leading graduate recruiters – which asks students to look back on their time at York and think about the skills that they have developed and how this will help them in their future. This is followed by a panel interview conducted by an employer and a University representative.
It's a very well set out system that encourages the student to make the most of their University experience and leave with more than just a degree classification
With support from all areas of the University and over one hundred volunteers from the business community, the York Award acts as a bridge between the student community and the world of work, helping students to develop their skills for the future and make a very real difference to the local area.
"It helps with a smooth transition from University to the world of work, aids employability and gives a focus to extracurricular achievements"
If you are a final year student who has been actively engaged in a range of opportunities at York, use the York Award to help bring your future into focus.
The York Award application deadline is 5pm on Friday 25 January. For more information and to apply, visit www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/skills/york-award/ya-assessment/
Further information
- York Award leaflet (pdf)
- More on the York Award
- Quotations from student feedback, June 2012