School groups > Benefit to A levels & UCAS > Universities Award

Universities award

What is it?
The Universities Award provides a framework to accredit a range of post-16 activities through an activity-based curriculum. It is mentioned by UCAS and forms part of the guidance for applicants to Higher Education Institutions.

Who is it for?
The Award is administered by ASDAN and aimed at schools, colleges and sixth-form centres and is primarily designed for post-16 students of all abilities looking to go into Higher Education or employment.

Value of the Universities Award

 The Universities Award can:

• Help you manage your learning effectively

• Broaden your experience

• Contribute towards your UCAS application

• Develop your employability skills and personal effectiveness

Who are ASDAN?

ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) is established as a registered charity for:
“The advancement of education, by providing opportunities for all learners to develop their personal and social attributes and levels of achievement through ASDAN awards and resources, and the relief of poverty, where poverty inhibits such opportunities for learners.”

UCAS Personal Statement:

 “We suggest you include… details of non-accredited skills and achievements such as the ASDAN Universities Award”

(UCAS How to Apply 2008, Section 8 Page 20)

HEI Universities:

The Universities Award Programme has received approval from the following bodies:

• ASDAN is approved by QCDA as an Awarding Body for the certification of Key Skills levels 1-4. The Universities Award is assessed at Level 3.

• The Dearing report drew attention to the ASDAN programmes as examples of good practice.

• 140 Universities around the UK acknowledge the value of the Universities Award in relation to the development and assessment of key skills, and a number of these universities give direct credit for the Universities Award in terms of their UCAS points offer to applicants.

Job place

In the work place, more and more employers are demanding high levels of flexibility and the transfer of acquired skills.  The UA can help you gain these skills and allow you to demonstrate leadership and teamwork.

Administration and Costs

If you want to take part you will need to register with Operation Wallacea with an administration cost of £15 per student (you will receive a Certificate after you complete your expedition).

Structure
There are six ‘challenge’ modules with two sections in each:

• Active Citizenship

• Work Related Activities

• Career Planning

• Global Awareness

• Enrichment Activities

• Extended Project

Operation Wallacea has a customized agreement with ASDAN and a number of challenges have been ‘mapped’ out which can be carried out whilst on your expedition.  The ‘map’ will guarantee that you acquire the credits needed for the award. These credits will amount to 120 hours of guided learning and will involve:

The customized Agreement (Summary):

Details of the agreement and how you will gain your credits:
 

Module 4: Global Awareness

Challenge A: International Travel and Experience (40 hours = 4 credits)

Aim:

To be involved in conversation and environmental management programmes in remote locations across the world.

Students will also focus on Personal Development

Objectives:

• To complete one or more of the activities listed below

• To work with expedition advisors and review progress

• To complete a final review of performance at end of expedition              

Examples:

An expedition to one of the countries listed above. Potential activities include:

• Ecological & Bio diversity sampling

• Ecology course

• Scuba Diving (Padi)                                         

• Bush training

• Jungle survival

Personal review to focus on:     

teamwork; leadership; decision making; environmental awareness; conservation awareness; cultural awareness; planning and organization; resourcefulness; creative skills; time appreciation; discussion.

Module 5: Enrichment activities

Challenge A: Skill Development (40 hours = 4 credits)

Aim:

To develop chosen skills through a structured programme of activities and show improvement in performance against agreed targets

Objectives:

• To identify the skills to be developed and the opportunities and resources available to do this

• To agree targets which you will have to work hard to achieve, but are realistic in the time available

• To review your performance and present evidence of targets achieved

Examples:

• Learn and develop ecological sampling techniques

• Learn how to sample accurately and reliably

• Learn how to record the data accurately and efficiently

• Develop identification skills for key Flora and fauna

• Learn Health & Safety skills (with particular reference to personal safety in the working environment)

• Completion of activities during the expedition with the following elements of skill development:

  • Conservation work and practical application

  • Trekking 

  • Padi scuba diving course

  • Attendance at a series of lectures on key topics such as conservation, bio diversity and sustainability

Module 6: Extended project

Challenge B: Free Option (40 hours = 4 credits)

Aim:

To provide the opportunity to develop your skills via a route of your own choosing

Objectives:

• To identify an area of personal interest and a suitable challenge within your chosen area

• To identify the skills/knowledge to be developed and the opportunities and resources available to do this

• To undertake and evaluate the chosen challenge

Examples:

• Students have opportunities to participate in environmentally linked activities such as:

  • Padi scuba diving course

  • Jungle survival training course

  • Bush training

  • Ecological training course 

  • Reef ecology course

  • Marine survey work

You will receive your certificate on completion of your expedition.

You are NOT required to provide any extra ‘paper-based’ evidence to support your award – all of the evidence will be provided by OpWall as part of the ‘mapping’ agreement.