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Graduate qualities are the attitudes and characteristics that determine the nature and behaviour of graduate when they leave St Mary's and progress into employment or further study, and beyond into their lives. The Curriculum Framework asks for them to be opportunities embedded throughout programmes for students to evidence these qualities. There is no requirement for them to be formally assessed.

There are six graduate qualities, and to support programme teams explore how they apply to their own disciplinary settings, suggested learning opportunities in which students might develop these qualities.

  • Engaging in group projects where students have to develop insights into each other’s feelings
  • Peer assessments where students give constructive feedback to each other
  • Peer mentoring where mentor utilises insights

Peary Brug on Developing Empathy:

Claire McGloughlin on Enabling Students to Develop Empathy:

  • Taking responsibility for their own learning
  • Student representation role(s)
  • Project leadership
  • Leadership of a club/society
  • Taking ethical decisions in professional contexts

Jade Salim on Developing Courage:

  • Engaging in volunteering
  • Peer mentoring – sharing their experience with others
  • Peer feedback – sharing their learning with other students
  • Ambassadorial work
  • Utilising independent study time effectively
  • Employing reflective learning approaches
  • Going beyond ‘what is expected’ to maximise learning
  • Peer mentoring
  • Willingness to act upon constructive/critical feedback
  • Self-insight into their own limitations and strengths
  • Embracing opportunities to learn from others (including other students)
  • Working positively with students from diverse backgrounds
  • Demonstrating cultural sensitivity in their work and their practice