Enhancement Themes Conference 2009 Leeds for Life the

Enhancement Themes Conference 2009 Leeds for Life: the University of Leeds approach to developing graduates for the 21 st Century Caroline Letherland Christopher Warrington Clara Davies

Leeds for Life: What it is ‘An entitlement for all students which helps them integrate their academic and wider university experience and prepare for their future. ’ March 2009

Leeds for Life: Why we’re doing it • At the heart of the University’s strategy • To help students recognise the distinctiveness of their Leeds education • To motivate and empower students • To encourage greater reflection • To increase the attractiveness of the University to prospective students • Response to NSS and other student feedback March 2009

Leeds for Life: What our students want • Diverse student population • Different levels of engagement and involvement in University life will mean different students will want different things from Leeds for Life • Feedback collated from focus groups and Staff. Student Forums March 2009

Leeds for Life – website demo leedsforlife. leeds. ac. uk

Leeds for Life: Key Developments Transition to first year • Induction reviewed • “Integrating students into the academic community” - identified examples of good practice in the following areas: • Forming relationship before arrival: Communications & Orientation • Induction extended over the first semester / year • Induction embedded in the curriculum • Academic study & skills support March 2009

Leeds for Life: Key Developments Leeds Model for Personal Tutoring • Model aims to provide an improved, unified approach to academic support for students that is: • Purposeful, structured • Proactive, clearly articulated • Systematic - provides overview of performance and scheduled ongoing academic support • Holistic (full range of activity), developmental • Individual, one-to-one, equally available • Tutor as referral agent for personal difficulties • Supported by integrated IT March 2009

The “Living CV” Personal tutoring information from School PDP, PT documentation or Lf. L webforms VLE Leeds for Life Skills and Attributes information University Transcript information from Web for Faculty from Lf. L website VLE Leeds for Life Living CV VLE a single store of information Traditional CV template Skills-based CV template VLE Academic CV template CVs/Applications for specific vacancies

Leeds for Life: Key Challenges • Academic buy-in • Attracting the non-engaged students • The transition from school to university in relation expectation setting • Ensuring Leeds for Life becomes part of every day business • Balance between responding to student and academic need March 2009

Leeds for Life Any questions?

Group activity Questions – 20 minutes: • How have you addressed the following challenges in your own Institutions? : • Academic engagement • Student engagement • Transition to first year • Please share your ideas and prepare to report back March 2009