Goldsmiths - University of London

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The Gold Award

What it is?

 Students are increasingly participating in paid work, volunteering and individual entrepreneurship.

Employers prize candidates with outstanding personal attributes and transferable skills.

Student activities can help develop these attributes and skills. But too often, students have to make connections - between their work or volunteering and their tranferrable skills - in isolation.

GLEU has developed the Gold Award to support Goldsmiths students in assessing, and developing, their skills. 

The Gold Award helps students to reflect on their activities, and analyse their own strengths and weakness. It helps them to develop their skills. They can then make decisions about their future study or employment, and articulate their abilities to potential employers. 


What do students get from it?
  • Knowledge of how they measure up to the demands of graduate employers 
  • A certificate and something extra for a CV
  • An extra reference for a first job after graduation

“It was a pleasure to take part in such an amazing scheme. Thank you for providing us with such a great opportunity, although at times it was very demanding, the feeling after completing a task was immense and very worth every moment."
3rd year Psychology student

"The Gold Award offers a fantastic array of opportunities to develop your career and personality in a flexible and approachable fashion. Classes
ranging from how to start your own business to personality analysis are free, fun and informative ... you are missing out if you don't do it!"  
3rd year Media and Communications student

"The Gold Award programme was highly enjoyable and the workshops that I took part in were delivered by interesting and inspirational staff members. The workshops took me out of my university routine and I was able to learn new and relevant skills for pursuing a career, I learnt more about my personality and the Gold Award created a setting to meet great people!"
2nd year English student

Who can apply?

All undergraduates can apply. The award takes a minimum of one academic year to complete.

GLEU are happy to promote the scheme at departmental level. If you are a tutor who would like to enrol your students onto the award then please email goldaward@gold.ac.uk.

How does it work?

Students complete three Gold Award Components:

PERSONAL RECORDS : including an introductory Self Analysis, SWOT analysis and Ongoing PDR;

ACTIVITIES: work experience, volunteer work, a Student Ambassadorship or individual enterprise which demonstrates personal initiative;

WORKSHOPS: students choose workshops to support their skills development, from a programme offered by the Students Union, Careers, Students Support, Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship and others.

Find out more

The Award resources are found on the learn.gold. If you have any questions please email us at goldaward@gold.ac.uk for information.