Whilst studying at RGU, these opportunities will empower you to think globally, enhancing your employability and equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel beyond university and in your future career.
Employers are looking to hire graduates who not only have the right qualifications, knowledge and work experience but also transferable skills and attitude to allow them to excel in the role. At RGU, we believe each student has a unique set of skills and should graduate having explored and defined their individual identity.
RGUplus will help you to shine a light on your own skills, so no matter what subject you’re studying, you’ll be confident leaving RGU with an understanding and appreciation on your own unique skill set.
To achieve this, and add value to your course and university experience, we have three fundamental pillars of learning. These are Sustainability, Entrepreneurial Mindset and Beyond the Classroom.
Learn more about these pillars and how they will support your journey to becoming a global citizen:
Sustainability
Working towards a sustainable world is a global agenda and it is an increasing expectation amongst employers that you understand sustainability and how this relates to your subject area. As you journey towards becoming a global citizen, this moral obligation to make a positive and responsible contribution to a sustainable future is essential. Therefore, we ensure that learning about sustainability is woven through all our programmes so you’re able to develop a professional world view and influence a sustainable world beyond your time at university and throughout your career.
We are in a unique position where we can help shape the wider debate on the planet’s future with our thought leadership on energy transition, engaging with the brightest and best young minds in higher education, allowing them to solve significant environmental issues, and working alongside industry to find the best way to reach our goals towards net zero.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
We recognise the importance of nurturing your entrepreneurial mindset. An entrepreneurial mindset is important as it equips you with valuable skills that are relevant in a rapidly changing and complex world.
Through training programmes, events, and projects, RGU students will have the opportunity to help develop the skills needed to innovate, assess risk, make informed decisions and implement solutions.
The RGU Innovation Award is an extra-curricular certificated pathway which will help you develop your competencies in being able to respond to disruption, participate in the process of innovation and design solutions. The award develops your entrepreneurial skills for the future and provides evidence to future employers.
This competition is focused on inspiring students to contribute towards tackling any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Participation will raise your awareness, build confidence and help you make connections for your early-stage ideas.
A resource library has been created on Moodle to support students who want to be inspired and are keen to develop skills and knowledge. For students who already have an innovative idea the toolkit will help you progress it and access support. It includes a wide range of videos, information, and guidance to take you step-by-step through the entrepreneurial process.
Remember, entrepreneurship is not just about starting a new business; it's about adopting a mindset that enhances personal and professional growth, enabling you to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing world.
Beyond the Classroom
Our Beyond the Classroom programme provides a platform for our students to actively participate in the economy whilst being responsive to social change, capturing every day experiences and recognising them as skills for the future. It enables the practice of leadership skills, whilst developing personal skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence and creativity, that are increasingly in demand for a fast-changing future.
RGU students currently benefit from additional opportunities such as volunteering, studying abroad, sports clubs and activities, working in the community, industry placements and work experiences. The introduction of `Beyond the Classroom` will enhance work-readiness while adding value to the community and demonstrating citizenship.
In addition to your degree, practical experience, adaptability, ethical awareness, societal awareness and collaboration skills will be highly attractive to employers.
How will you do this?
Beyond the Classroom Pathways
Our Beyond the Classroom Pathway (BCP) recognises the skills, time, effort and value that everyday experiences can offer.
Turning your part-time work into skills for success 2023
If you are working part time in addition to your course, would like to enhance your unique skills, and gain recognition that can be used to apply for the RGUplus award programme.
Turning leadership experience into skills for success 2023
If you are in a role such as leader of a sports club or student society, a school officer or class representative, or see yourself in another leadership role, this BCP will help you recognise the skills you are developing with the RGUplus award programme.
Turning your volunteering into skills for success 2023
If you are volunteering within or out with the university and would like to use your unique and developing skills to benefit your employability and be recognised for this through the RGUplus award programme.
Turning your placement or work experience into skills for success 2024.
Whether as part of your course, or on your own initiative this BCP will help you recognise the skills you have developed as part of this experience.
If you had an opportunity to study abroad, and get involved in local activities then this BCP is for you.
It gives you the opportunity to reflect on the experience, skills developed and articulate these for future success.
This BCP has been designed to complement the Denis Law RGUplus Award, and support application for the Gold-Legacy Criteria..
Our BCP will help you turn your experiences in the community into employability skills and awards. We have three different pathways. A BCP certificate can be awarded for activities including caring responsibilities, volunteering, part-time working, study abroad, sports clubs and activities, community engagement and student societies and roles linked to the Student Union such as School Officer. In partnership with RGU: Union, you can explore more opportunities to engage with volunteering.
Thinking about Citizenship
View the online resource which gives examples of volunteering opportunities which could be part of your RGUplus citizenship journey.
RGUplus Award
On completion of short tasks within each BCP, you will be able to articulate your skill development and even receive a certificate that can be submitted as part of an application for the RGUplus Award.
The RGUplus Award will be presented at graduation as a result of your `Beyond the Classroom Pathway` activities, accumulated BCPs, your impact on the community and recognition of engagement with the Citizenship BCPs (this additional BCP will be released in October during Connect and Reflect week).
The RGUplus Award Programme will be launched during the academic year 2023/2024. From October 2023 the BCPs are open to those who are volunteering, undertaking School Officer roles within the University and to those working part-time alongside their studies. A further series of BCPs will be released in Semester 2 in 2024.
Denis Law RGUplus Award
The Denis Law RGUplus award will reward your commitment to making a positive difference and lasting impact to yourself and to others through volunteering. This award programme recognises the value of citizenship, whether you volunteer within the community or within university life, understanding the rigorous training, extra learning and high level of performance you undertake as a volunteer.
I would highly recommend the Grampian Community Law Clinic as an option to volunteer. It is the perfect platform to learn from experienced staff who share their own unique expertise and who have been friendly, helpful and take the time to involve and further educate you. The passion and dedication of the staff is clear and is an inspiration.
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Activate your login
Before you can access the content for each pathway, current students and staff need to first activate your login through eHub:
Download the eHub App
The mobile app gives you 1-click access to all your career tools and learning resources, wherever you are. After downloading the app, go to your profile on eHub to activate the app.
Find out more
A summary of what is involved for our students as part of the RGUplus programme.
RGUplus is a programme that gives students access to a range of opportunities at RGU, which will take them on a journey from citizen to global citizen and make them stand out from the crowd.
Staff members can read more information about how RGUplus affects their course content and how to to help their students through the process.
In February, we organised our very first “Global Citizenship Live” event, an opportunity for RGU students to learn more about the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how they can support initiatives both at and outside university:
For further information about RGUplus or any of the topics mentioned, contact the team: