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Graduate Framework

Develop valuable skills and be who you want to be. Broaden your horizons. Shape your dreams. Plan your future.

Be ready for the world with Newcastle University

Being a student at Newcastle gives you access to unique and life-changing experiences. Not only will you be a graduate of a Russell Group university, you’ll have experiences to remember, skills to demonstrate and stories to share.

You can develop graduate skills from all parts of your life. Your studies, extracurricular activities and volunteering are just some of the opportunities available to develop your skills and prepare you for a successful future.

We want you to leave higher education feeling empowered, creative, and ready to take on the world. We have created the Graduate Framework to help you identify and develop the key skills and attributes that can shape your future.

The Graduate Framework will help you to:

  • recognise the skills and attributes you already have and identify those you need to develop
  • reflect on your experiences and the value you are gaining from them
  • find further opportunities to develop your own set of attributes

Our students have gone on to do some amazing things. Many of our alumni are at the forefront of sectors as diverse as digital technology, finance, and fine art.

Discover below what each of the 12 skills mean and how you can develop them while you’re at Newcastle.

Collaborative

Being collaborative is all about working well with others to achieve a shared goal. This means taking on a role within the team, sharing responsibilities and contributing ideas.

Collaboration requires strong communication skills, flexible working, and managing conflict.

This skill features among the top competencies valued by employers. While individuals bring their own strengths and skills, most graduate roles involve being able to work well with others.

How can you demonstrate collaboration?

These are just some examples of what you can do while you’re at Newcastle.

On your course

  • Be a committed team member on group projects. Focus on achieving the team’s aims and objectives. Arrange meetings and catch ups. Work on tasks and problems together, rather than dividing it up and working independently.
  • Collaborate with staff to create positive change for students by representing your School or course. You can also represent strudents from underrepresented or marginalized communities as a liberation officer.
  • Choose a careers module and gain academic credit for joining or creating a professional team.
  • Take part in school events such as enterprise challenges. You may get the chance to work with students from other schools or faculties.
  • Collaborate in practical settings, such as labs. Offer help, share knowledge and encourage others.

 

Outside your course

Confident

Confidence is about believing in yourself and having trust in your abilities, qualities and judgement.

It’s having a balanced view and accepting yourself: taking pride in your strengths and achievements, while also recognising your flaws.

Confidence often doesn’t come naturally. It’s something most people have to learn and work on to improve.

Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong

Peter T. McIntyre
How can you become more confident?
  • Focus on your achievements. Make a list of the things you’ve accomplished so far, to help you feel positive when setbacks occur.
  • Set manageable goals. These should be realistic and specific – break them down into smaller goals to make the tasks less daunting and easier to achieve.
  • Push yourself out of your comfort zone. You could start by volunteering to deliver a presentation on a group project. Or you could take a position of responsibility, such as student ambassador, course rep, or society committee member.
  • Undertake some work experience. Placements and internships are valuable for increasing self-confidence and developing key skills.
  • Have a particular interest or expertise? Share your advice or knowledge of a particular topic to others.
  • Be prepared. Whether it’s for tutorials, exams or for interviews, the more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be. Do your research, make notes and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
  • Find a mentor. Connect with people who can provide help and support with your career plans. Graduate Mentor and The 1 Hour Project aim to match students with business professionals. See Making contactss to find more ways to connect.
  • Try a new hobby or volunteer. Meeting like-minded people in a safe and friendly environment can help build your confidence, particularly if you struggle to meet new people.

Creative, innovative & enterprising

This skill is about using your imagination to create and develop original methods or ideas. It’s about being good at thinking of and doing new and sometimes challenging things.

You can be enterprising whether you work for yourself or for someone else. It involves being resourceful, showing initiative, taking calculated risks and looking for ways to improve and develop things. Employers value people for their ability to solve problems, identify opportunities and see things from different perspectives.

These skills can all be learned - by asking questions, trying new things, experimenting, exploring, and using your imagination. You don’t always have to come up with a brand-new, original idea. Many innovators take existing concepts or approaches and turn them into something new or improved.

How can you become more creative, innovative and enterprising?

On your course

  • Get involved in School events. For example, some Schools hold an annual Enterprise challenge for their students. Work in teams to come up with an innovative solution to a difficult real world business challenge.
  • Connect with students from other countries and cultures on your course. You can broaden your perspective and share your own insights with them.

Outside your course

  • Work freelance, sell a product or create an innovative new service. Get support from START UP.
  • Join a meet-up on a topic you’re interested in.
  • Create or join a student society to meet like-minded people.
  • Contribute your skills and ideas through undertaking work experience or a part-time job.
  • Learn something new – from photography and playing an instrument, to coding and learning a language. Sign up to a free online course.
  • Take part in student competitions to help you develop and show off your skills.
  • Stay informed by following the news and attending events. Look at situations from different perspectives – is there anything you would change?
  • Read books or articles unrelated to your field of study, subscribe to educational YouTube channels and watch inspiring talks on Ted.com.
  • Find a mentor and ask them questions about their career, company or industry.
  • Volunteer for an organisation or come up with creative ideas to help fundraise for a charity. You can also apply for funding to create your own volunteering project.
  • Register for the ncl+ Award to gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities and reflect on the skills you’ve developed.

 

Critical Thinker

This skill is about questioning information, evaluating it and considering whether it is accurate.

As a student, you need to be able to think critically about the resources and information you use. It’s not accepting what you read or hear at face value. You need to ask the right questions when reading the work of others and weigh up different arguments and perspectives. Use evidence to help you form your own opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.

Employers also need critical thinkers in the workplace. You need to be able to analyse information, to help you effectively diagnose problems, identify possible solutions and make balanced decisions.

How can you become a critical thinker?
  • Visit the Academic Skills Team for advice on developing your critical voice.
  • The Academic Skills Kit (ASK) website has useful information and tools on evaluating information and reducing the impact of information overload.
  • Ask questions about what you read, hear, think, experience and observe.
  • Assess how well ideas, statements, claims, arguments and findings are backed up. This will help you make a reasoned judgement about how convincing they are.
  • Practise critical reasoning tests, such as the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test. This can be used in graduate and professional recruitment, particularly in law and finance. They test your ability to recognise assumptions and evaluate arguments.
  • Get involved in class discussions in tutorials or join a debating society. Discussing opinions with others is a good way to anticipate objections, answer counterarguments and weigh evidence.
  • Show critical thinking in an interview situation. Give an example which includes reflection on how you performed. Point out anything you could improve and how you overcame any challenges.
  • Sign up for a free FutureLearn online course on critical thinking.

Curious

People who are curious want to know more. They’re interested in the world and society around them: how things work, what motivates people. They like to learn and explore, and are constantly asking ‘why’?

Employers often look for applicants who have a strong desire to learn, solve problems, ask questions and who are open to change.

I have no special gift. I am only passionately curious.

Albert Einstein
How can you become more curious?

Try out new activities

Seek out information

  • Read books or articles unrelated to your field of study and subscribe to educational YouTube channels.
  • Attend a public lecture – there are a wide range of topics and speakers.
  • Go to recruitment events to ask employers about their opportunities.
  • Use the Academic Skills Kit (ASK) guide to keep up to date with information in your field
  • Speak to people with different backgrounds and viewpoints, and actively listen to what they have to say.
  • Find a mentor and ask them questions about their career, company or industry.
  • Visit and explore new places to learn more about them and the people there.

Digitally capable

Being digitally capable is about being able to learn, work and live in our increasingly digital society.

There’s a lot more to this than being able to use certain software. Technology is taking a much bigger role in both our personal and professional lives.

How can you become more digitally capable?

We've included some ideas on how to develop digital skills below.

On your course

  • Learn how to use new software. This could be specialist software used in your field of study, or using new tools to showcase your work.
  • Use digital resources within research to collect and analyse data and information.
  • Keep a digital record of your experiences in NU Reflect.
  • Engage with resources, discussions and communities on Canvas and Teams.

Outside your course

 

Engaged

Being engaged is all about taking part and making the most of opportunities - whether that’s being fully committed to your degree or being actively involved in extra-curricular activities.

How can you demonstrate engagement?

These are just some examples of what you can do while you’re at Newcastle.

On your course

Outside your course

  • Undertake work experience to show employers that you're keen to develop your skills. It doesn’t need to be related to your degree subject.
  • Support and encourage others as a mentor. For example, through the FutureMe mentor scheme, or the University Library's Peer Mentoring Programme.
  • Work as a community rep to help enrich the local community and increase student involvement.
  • Engage members of the public as a Street Scientist.
  • Join a sports club and commit to training regularly.
  • Create or join a society and take an active role in it.
  • Get involved with student media at Newcastle. You could write for the Courier or work with Newcastle Student Radio, to discuss topics and issues you and your peers are interested in.
  • Show engagement in your career development. For example, networking and speaking to employers at events or improving your CV or interview technique.
  • Volunteer. For example, fundraise for a charity, do some conservation work or teach English to refugees.
  • Register for the ncl+ Award to gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities and reflect on the skills you’ve gained.

Future-focused

Being future-focused is about thinking about the future, anticipating obstacles and planning ahead. It’s keeping up-to-date with changes and developments, responding to key trends happening across the world and being able to prepare and plan for the future.

People who are future-focused are keen to learn, update their knowledge and can recover from setbacks to help them achieve their goals.

How can you become more future-focused?

These are some examples of what you can do to become more future-focused.

Try out new activities

  • Undertake a placement year or internship to show employers that you're keen to develop your skills. It doesn’t need to be related to your degree subject.
  • Try out virtual work experience. Engage in tasks simulating real-life work, through a digital platform, such as Forage.
  • Sign up for a careers module and do something different. For example, teach in schools or create innovative solutions to real life problems.
  • Try out an extra-credit module to learn a new language.
  • Work innovatively on a project through a School-based enterprise challenge.
  • Work freelance, sell a product or create an innovative new service. Get support from START UP and attend a START UP event to meet like-minded people.
  • Enter student competitions which involve anticipating and responding to future challenges.
  • Explore our ideas around being digitally capable. Digital skills, experience and knowledge are an increasingly important part of being future-focused.

Seek out information

  • You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do in your future career, but having a future-focused mindset can help you make decisions. Attend recruitment events and ask employers about their opportunities. Find a mentor and ask them questions about their career. Visit our Explore your options pages to help you get started.
  • Speak with students from other countries and cultures on your course to broaden your perspective, actively listening to what they have to say.
  • Stay informed by following the news, social media and attending events.
  • Learn something new by signing up to a free online course.
  • Read books or articles unrelated to your field of study, subscribe to educational YouTube channels and watch inspiring talks on Ted.com.
  • Attend a public lecture at the University – there are a wide range of topics and speakers.
  • Improve your commercial awareness by researching employers and the sectors you are interested in.

 

Globally and culturally aware

Employers are increasingly looking for students and graduates who can work and communicate in a global environment.

Having this ability means you can:

  • appreciate and respect cultural differences and perspectives
  • communicate and work with people from different countries and backgrounds
  • understand how world issues, whether economic, environmental and political, can affect society and people’s lives on a local and global scale
How can you become more globally and culturally aware?

These are just some examples of what you can do while you’re at Newcastle.

On your course

  • Incorporate global and cultural themes into your research and project work and discuss them during group work and seminars.
  • Collaborate with students from other countries and cultures to broaden your perspective and share your own insights with them.
  • Take on a role as a course or School rep to listen to learning and wellbeing concerns from students of all backgrounds and raise them on their behalf.
  • Choose a careers module, where you can gain academic credit for joining, or creating a professional, multicultural team.

Outside your course

  • Immerse yourself in another culture by working and studying abroad.
  • Arrange an overseas placement year.
  • Learn about global business etiquette by working in the UK with a business involved in international trade.
  • Learn a new language through the Language Resource Centre.
  • Use opportunities to meet students from other countries and cultures. You could take part in a mutual language/culture exchange in conversation and peer assisted learning groups. Or attend external international student cafés such as The Globe.
  • Carry out research with a global or cultural theme through a university Research Scholarship or Expedition.
  • Volunteer for a project or charity you’re interested in. This could be with a local charity or project, incorporating different cultures within our community, or it could be a global charity tackling worldwide issues.
  • Create or join a society with a global or cultural theme.
  • Work as a community rep to learn more about the cultures making up your local community and increase student involvement in it.
  • Consider ambassador roles such as student ambassador or FutureMe mentor. Increase your exposure of working with people from different backgrounds and listening to their concerns.
  • A part-time job while you study, or work experience, can allow you to mix with staff, customers or clients from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Take an interest in Students’ Union campaigns and initiatives which promote diversity and cultural awareness.
  • Increase your awareness and understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The Library has a useful EDI guide, with information resources relating to EDI themes. You can find information on diversity and equality in the workplace on the Careers Service website.
  • Look for global competitions where you can learn from and compete against students from around the world.
  • Stay informed about what is happening in the world by following the news and attending events.
  • Register for the ncl+ award to gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities and reflect on the skills and awareness you’ve gained.
  • Apply for a Global Open Badge. Show your global and cultural achievements to employers.

Reflective and self-aware

Being reflective and self-aware means understanding yourself: your motivations, values, skills and strengths. It’s also about identifying and recognising areas you need to develop and how you can improve.

Having this ability means you can:

  • critically assess your own knowledge, values, qualities, skills and behaviours
  • reflect on your experiences and learn from them
  • clearly recognise your own strengths and weaknesses
  • be confident in articulating your skills and abilities to others
  • see yourself as others see you

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Aristotle
How can you become more reflective and self-aware?

These are just some examples of what you can do to become more reflective and self-aware, both in your academic life and outside university.

On your course

  • Request and listen actively to feedback from lecturers and team members – both positive and negative. What did you do particularly well? What could be improved?
  • Keep a record of your experiences in NU Reflect and keep track of your development during your studies.
  • Reflect on your experiences, rather than just describe them – ask yourself questions, for example, ‘how do I know this?’, ‘what did I learn?’, ‘what would I change?’.
  • Visit the Academic Skills Kit (ASK) website for advice on developing reflective practice, including reviewing your current study practice and approach to learning.
  • Assess your information skills and identify any areas you want to improve using the Library's Undergraduate Skills Audit.
  • Sign up for a careers module. Part of the assessment includes written work, reflecting on your experiences, the skills you gained, your achievements.

Outside your course

  • You could also ask for feedback and constructive criticism from employers, friends or family. Reflect and take on board any valuable suggestions - it can help to listen to alternative perspectives.
  • Take part in mock assessment centres and have a go at a practice video interview to build your confidence and gain feedback.
  • Get advice on your CV and applications to help you reflect on your skills and experiences and identify any gaps in these. You can book an online appointment or submit a query via MyCareer.
  • Complete our Skills Audit (PDF: 234KB) to assess your current skills and speak to a careers consultant to explore your strengths and the skills you want to develop.
  • Register for a free FutureLearn online course on studying and reflecting and discover tools that can help you reflect on your learning.
  • Read about self-awareness and how to develop it through this useful article from the University of Warwick.
  • Have a go at an online personality test to further understand yourself. Discover what motivates you, what your workstyle is like, or just use them as a fun way to learn more about yourself.
  • Read books or articles, subscribe to educational YouTube channels and search for inspiring talks about self-awareness on Ted.com.

Resilient

Resilience is about your ability to deal with and bounce back from problems and setbacks. It’s learning through failure, as well as success.

Resilience is about being able to face your challenges and to persevere when things don't go as well as you'd planned. It also involves accepting responsibility for your mistakes and being able to move on and adapt.

You are not expected to be superhuman. Sometimes one of the best actions you can take is to ask for help.

targetjobs

As a resilient person, you can focus your thinking and take control of each situation. You become more able to work out what needs to be done and make best use of those around you to get there.

It's important to know the limits of your resilience and ask for support if you need to.

You need resilience most when:

  • something is making you unhappy or stressed
  • you need to adapt to a new situation or challenge
  • you feel that the only way to solve your problems is to drop out
How can you become more resilient?

These are some examples of what you can do to build resilience, both in your academic life and outside university.

  • Reflect on your successes and times when you’ve shown resilience in the past. For example, when you studied harder after disappointing grades.
  • Develop strategies to help you when you’re feeling upset or stressed. For example, using a planner to keep track of assignment deadlines, keeping a journal, taking time out to relax, practising mindfulness, exercising or talking to friends.
  • Try to stay flexible and positive. Even the best-made plans can be disrupted by unexpected events or realising more time is needed on a topic than you originally thought.
  • Ask for feedback and constructive criticism from lecturers, friends or family. Reflect and take on board any valuable suggestions. It often helps to listen to alternative perspectives.
  • Build a support network and talk to people when you need to, for example, your personal tutor, or counsellors within Student Wellbeing. Asking for help or support is a positive step - it’s not an admission of failure but a recognition that you don’t have to deal with things alone.
  • Have a look at the resources at Be Well@NCL, a collection of books to help you understand and manage your mental health and wellbeing.
  • Challenge yourself and try out new things, such as work experience, joining a society or starting a new hobby, eg through Give it a Go in the Students' Union, to help you build confidence.
  • Try not to compare yourself with others - what works for one person might not work for you.

Socially responsible

Social responsibility is about making sure that your impact on others and the environment is positive rather than negative.

Being socially responsible involves undertaking activities which would directly benefit society or the environment. Prepare to question, challenge and change unethical practice.

The University’s Student Charter sets out how you can be socially responsible at university.

How can you become more socially responsible?

These are just some examples of what you can do while you’re at Newcastle.

On your course

  • Incorporate social or environmental themes into your research or project work.
  • Discuss social or environmental issues during group or seminar work.
  • Take on a role as a course or School rep. Raise concerns and contribute ideas on behalf of other students on your course or within your School.
  • Link with students from other countries and cultures to broaden your perspective and share your own insights with them.

Outside your course

  • Join the Leave Newcastle Happy campaign. Donate your unwanted goods, responsibly dispose of anything you can’t donate, and take part in community litter picks at the end of term.
  • Volunteer for a project or charity you’re interested in. Start by visiting Go Volunteer, which offers a huge range of charity connections and ongoing projects. You can also apply for funding to create your own volunteering project.
  • Volunteer as a community group rep to raise issues that students face and work to come up with practical solutions.
  • Create or join a society with a socially responsible theme.
  • Support other students socially and academically. For example, through the FutureMe mentor scheme, or the University Library's Peer Mentoring Programme.
  • Be a student ambassador, inspiring young people, while representing and promoting Newcastle University.
  • Contribute your skills and ideas to local businesses through undertaking work experience.
  • Look for relevant competitions.
  • Register for the ncl+ Award to gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities and reflect on the skills you’ve gained.
  • Sign up for a free online course with the SDG Academy, the flagship education platform of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
  • Access Taylor & Francis’ Sustainable Development Goals Online via the Library, a collection of digital resources relating to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Stay informed by following the news and attending events. Try to look at situations from different perspectives to understand how others might view what is happening in the world around you. The Library has a useful Sustainability guide with links to journals and books focused on the 3 pillars of sustainability: environment, economy and society.
  • Be mindful of your personal impact on others and the environment, by following diversity and inclusion practices and monitoring your energy and water consumption.

 

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