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Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

There are so many opportunities to help you make the most of your time at Sheffield - and now you can get official University recognition for your wider involvement! If you are a First Year Undergraduate in 2012/13, you will receive a new and more comprehensive record of your university achievements when you graduate: the Higher Education Achievement Report: HEAR. Your achievement report will not only include details of your academic learning, but will also record your extra-curricular achievements, in Section 6.1 of the HEAR.

There is a wide range of extra-curricular achievements and awards which can be verified for your Some are offered here at the Students' Union, others are organised by the University. To find out more about which extra-curricular activities can be verified by the University, visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/hear/section-6-1.

Contact Us

For questions or comments about the Students' Union achievements being recognised in HEAR Section 6.1, please email the HEAR Project Assistant, Megan, at megan.howlett@sheffield.ac.uk, or visit her in the Activities and Sports Zone.

For questions about the HEAR as a whole, visit the University website www.sheffield.ac.uk/hear or email hear@sheffield.ac.uk.

helpHow can my HEAR help me? navigateright

You can use your HEAR to help you enhance your employability. You will be able to see your HEAR as it grows during your degree. This will help you to identify the skills and strengths you are developing, so that you can review your progress and plan for your future. And when it comes to applying for internships, jobs or further study, you can use your HEAR to provide evidence of your university learning and experiences.

The Students' Union is committed to supporting student employability. Please see the strategic plan (SU The Future) section for more information.

The HEAR is designed to be a complementary document; it is not a replacement for a CV. For help putting together a CV, visit the Careers Service Website.

likeWhich Students' Union roles can be included in my HEAR and how do I gain recognition for my achievements? navigateright

Section 6.1 of the HEAR will record your achievements in extra-curricular activities. You will be able to choose which of your extra-curricular achievements, that the Students' Union can verify, will appear in this section.

Wherever you see this badge you'll know that the activity can be recognised on your HEAR.

Click on the tabs below to view all of the roles being verified by the Students' Union and the criteria for each role. Each role has been assigned a set of criteria which you need to fulfil in order to gain recognition on your HEAR.

For more information about Students' Union criteria, email Megan, the HEAR Project Assistant, at megan.howlett@sheffield.ac.uk.

You can find out the criteria for every activity that is being included in the Sheffield HEAR by searching the 'Verifiable Activities' database on the main HEAR website, at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/hear/section-6-1/activities.

Societies and Committees navigatedown

Society Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto a Society Committee.
  • Hold office for two semesters.
  • Attend at least 2 training sessions led by Students' Union staff OR 2 two development meetings with the Society Development Coordinator, OR 1 training and 1 development session.
  • Submit a personal reflective document OR a portfolio OR a handover document.

Working Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto a Working Committee.
  • Hold office for two semesters.
  • Attend at least one training session led by Students' Union staff OR one development meeting with the Society Development Coordinator.
  • Attend at least 75% of committee meetings held during your term of office.
  • Submit a personal reflective document OR a portfolio OR a handover document.

Representative Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto a Representative Committee.
  • Hold office for two semesters.
  • Attend at least one training session led by Students' Union staff OR one development meeting with the Society Development Coordinator.
  • Attend at least 75% of committee meetings held during your term of office.
  • Submit a personal reflective document OR a portfolio OR a handover document.

Activities Awards

  • Submit your award applications by the specified deadline.
  • Demonstrate, in your applications, how you have met the specific award criteria and include, as part of any group award application (for a whole society or working/representative committee), the name(s) of any members who have contributed to the achievement(s) in addition to the committee.
  • Submit details of how any non-committee members have contributed to a group's achievement(s) separately, in accordance with Societies' Committee guidelines.
  • Win an Activities Award - either as an individual, or as a committee or nominated non-committee member of a winning student group.

Get involved in Societies and Committees or get more information about our Student Media Committees.

Sheffield RAG navigatedown

RAG Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto the SheffieldRAG Committee.
  • Attend a minimum of six hours training.
  • Fulfil your duties for a full term of office.

Bummit Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto the Bummit Committee.
  • Attend a minimum of six hours training.
  • Fulfil your duties for a full term of office.

RAG Reps

  • Attend a minimum of two hours training.
  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours volunteering.
  • Submit a personal reflective document/journal.

Bummit Volunteers

  • Attend a minimum of two hours training.
  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours volunteering.
  • Submit a personal reflective document.

Get involved in SheffieldRAG

SheffieldVolunteering navigatedown

Sheffield Volunteering Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto the Sheffield Volunteering Committee.
  • Register on the Sheffield Volunteering database.
  • Attend a minimum of six hours of Committee training.
  • Fulfil your duties for the full term of office (i.e. from election until the following AGM).
  • Submit a personal reflective document (OR a portfolio, where appropriate) by the specified deadline.

Volunteering Committee Ambassadors

  • Register on the Sheffield Volunteering database.
  • Attend a minimum of two hours Ambassador training.
  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours of ambassador volunteering (i.e. excludes any other volunteering).
  • Fulfil role in accordance with Sheffield Volunteering protocols.
  • Submit a personal reflective document (OR a portfolio, where appropriate) by the specified deadline.

Project Leaders

  • Register on the Sheffield Volunteering database.
  • Complete application and screening procedures.
  • Attend a minimum of eight hours of Leadership training.
  • Attend regular mentoring sessions during term-time.
  • Fulfil the required regular or sustained commitment to the project.
  • Fulfil role in accordance with Sheffield Volunteering protocols.
  • Submit a personal reflective document (OR a portfolio, where appropriate) by the specified deadline.

NB: It is not currently possible to offer HEAR recognition to Project Leaders of one-off projects/events. This includes Give it a Go events and one-off society/club events.

Project Volunteers

  • Register on the Sheffield Volunteering database.
  • Undertake an internal volunteering role with a student-led, society or club project which is organised through Sheffield Volunteering OR volunteer with a recognised, external, host organisation which is registered with Sheffield Volunteering.
  • Complete application and screening procedures.
  • Attend required training.
  • For internal projects: fulfil the required regular commitment and complete the duties/ project in accordance with Sheffield Volunteering protocols OR.
  • For external projects: fulfil the required regular commitment, complete the duties/project to the satisfaction of the host organisation and submit an attendance record (signed by the host organisation) by the specified deadline.
  • Submit a personal reflective document (OR a portfolio, where appropriate) by the specified deadline.

NB: It is not currently possible to offer HEAR recognition to volunteers who take part in one-off Sheffield Volunteering projects. This includes Give it a Go events and one-off society/clubevents.

Sports Ambassadors

  • Register on the Sheffield Volunteering database.
  • Complete application and screening procedures.
  • Attend a minimum of two hours training.
  • Participate in a minimum of one session per week over a 12-week period.
  • Complete project to the satisfaction of the host organisation.
  • Submit an attendance record (signed by the relevant supervisor) by the specified deadline.
  • Submit a personal reflective document (OR a portfolio, where appropriate) by the specified deadline.

Classroom Mentors

  • Register on the Sheffield Volunteering database.
  • Complete application and screening procedures.
  • Attend a minimum of four hours training.
  • Participate in a minimum of one classroom lesson per week over a 12-week period.
  • Complete sessions to the satisfaction of the host school.
  • Submit an attendance record (signed by the classroom teacher) by the specified deadline.
  • Submit a personal reflective document (OR a portfolio, where appropriate) by the specified deadline.

Volunteering Awards

  • Be chosen as the winner of a group or individual Volunteering Award by the Volunteering Committee.

Get involved in Sheffield Volunteering.

Representation and Democracy navigatedown

Academic Representative: Course Representative, Departmental Chair, Faculty Representative

  • All Course Representatives must attend at least 75% of Staff-Student Committee meetings and complete a Students' Union training session.
  • Departmental Chairs must also be elected in accordance with departmental procedures and complete the Students' Union Chairs' training.
  • Faculty Representatives must also be elected onto your Faculty Student Representatives' Forum in accordance with departmental procedures and attend both meetings of your Faculty Student Representatives' Forum.

SU Councillor

  • Be elected in accordance with Students' Union protocols and agree to take on the role.
  • Hold office for at least one semester.
  • Attend a training session with the Representation and Democracy Manager.
  • Attend at least five meetings of Students' Union Council.

Senate Representative

  • Attend two-thirds of Senate meetings prior to the Easter Vacation.

SU Officer

  • Be elected in accordance with Students' Union Protocols and agree to take on the role.
  • Attend training.
  • Fulfil your duties for a full term of office to the satisfaction of your Line Manager.

Academic Awards

  • Be chosen as the winner of an Academic Award, either as an individual or as part of a student group.

Get more information about Representation and Democracy.

Student Communities navigatedown

City Community Development Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto your Community Development Committee.
  • Attend a residential training weekend or an equivalent induction session.
  • Attend at least 80% of weekly committee meetings.

Ranmoor Community Development Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto your Community Development Committee.
  • Attend a residential training weekend or an equivalent induction session.
  • Attend at least 80% of weekly committee meetings.

Endcliffe Community Development Committee Positions

  • Be elected or co-opted onto your Community Development Committee.
  • Attend a residential training weekend or an equivalent induction session.
  • Attend at least 80% of weekly committee meetings.

Get involved in Community Development Committees and the Student Communities.

Club Sport navigatedown

Club Sport Committee Positions

  • Be selected by your peers to serve on a Sports Club Committee in accordance with Sport Sheffield protocols.
  • Hold office for two semesters.
  • Attend at least two training or two mentoring sessions with the Club Sport Manager.
  • Contribute to the Annual Club Development Plan.
  • Complete a Position Handover Document.
  • Submit a reflective document OR portfolio.

Sports Awards

  • Submit your award applications by the specified deadline.
  • Demonstrate, in your applications, how you have met the specific award criteria and include, as part of any group award application, details of the students who have contributed to the group's achievements, including descriptions of the roles these individuals have played.
  • Be chosen as the winner of a Sports Award, either as an individual, as a club committee member or nominated non-committee club member or nominated team member.

Get involved in Club Sport.

Students' Union Ambassador Positions navigatedown

Student Marketing Brand Ambassadors

  • Be recruited as a Marketing Brand Ambassador, in accordance with the Marketing and Communication Department's application process, and agree to take on the role.
  • Attend training.
  • Commit to the role for two semesters.
  • Fulfil the terms of employment to the satisfaction of the Marketing and Communications Officer.

For information about how to become a Student Marketing Brand Ambassador, please email the Marketing and Communications Officer, Kirsty, at kirsty.bowen@sheffield.ac.uk.

Student Media navigatedown

This criteria applies to all of the Media roles being verified for the HEAR:

  • Be elected (or co-opted) to serve on a Forge Media Committee or the Forge Press Editorial Team.
  • Hold office for two semesters.
  • Attend at least one training session led by Students' Union staff OR at least one mentoring session with the Student Media Coordinator.
  • Attend at least 75% of committee or post-production meetings.
  • Submit one of the following by the specified deadline:
    • Reflective Document
    • Scrapbook/Portfolio
    • Committee Position Handover Document

Get involved in Student Media.

Give it a Go navigatedown

Give it a Go Language Courses:

  • 'Give it a Go Programme', taught by a Students' Union-employed tutor.
  • Attend the full duration of the course AND complete a minimum of 10 hours tuition.

Give it a Go Society-Led Language Courses:

  • Attend a language course organized by Sheffield Students' Union's 'Give it a Go Programme', taught by a Students' Union Society.
  • Attend the full duration of the course AND complete a minimum of 10 hours tuition.

Give it a Go Professional Qualification:

  • Attend a professionally accredited course through Sheffield Students' Union's Give it a Go Programme
  • Attend the full duration of the course
  • Pass all relevant assessments as verified by the course instructor.

Find out more about the Give it a Go Programme

signpostFAQs navigateright

Q What does HEAR stand for?

A HEAR stands for Higher Education Achievement Report.

Q What is the HEAR?

A The HEAR is a new kind of undergraduate degree transcript which will provide a comprehensive record of students' university achievements, to accompany the degree certificate they receive upon completing their academic programme. The HEAR will also record a wide range of students' extra-curricular achievements.

Q Who will get a HEAR?

A All undergraduate students registering at Sheffield from September 2012 onward will be issued with a HEAR. No students who registered before September 2012 will get a HEAR.

Q What is HEAR Section 6.1?

A 6.1 is the section of the report which contains information about your extra - curricular achievements. The University and Students' Union are committed to verifying a wide range of extra-curricular activities, to allow as many students as possible to evidence the breadth of their skills, experience and knowledge.

Q Will I be able to view my HEAR?

A Yes, your HEAR will be accessible through MUSE after the end of Semester Two of the 2012/13 year. You will be able to see your HEAR grow throughout your University career. After you have completed your academic studies, you will be issued with a final 'exit' HEAR which will contain the complete record of your academic and extra-curricular achievements.

Q Which extra-curricular activities are being verified for Section 6.1 of the HEAR?

AThere are over 60 activities, awards and prizes being verified by the University and Students' Union for recognition in HEAR 6.1. You can find the list of the Students' Union activities being verified on the Students' Union HEAR Webpage. You can find a database of all extra- curricular activities being verified on the University HEAR website.

Q How does the University decide what extra-curricular activities and awards can be included?

A We have developed an Institutional Protocol to define the general set of criteria to which activities included in Section 6.1 should adhere. This will provide an overarching framework for developing activity verification protocols.

Q I am interested in joining a society committee – what do I need to do to get this recognised on my HEAR?

A Every extra-curricular role being verified by either the University or the Students' Union has been assigned a set of criteria which all must be fulfilled in order for that activity to be recognised on a student's HEAR. All of the criteria are listed on the individual role guides which you will find in the Role Guides section of the Students' Union HEAR webpage.

Q How will the Students' Union know that I've fulfilled the criteria for my extra- curricular role?

A Every role being verified by the Students' Union has an assigned 'activity verifier' – this is usually the member of staff who coordinates that activity. When you sign up to a role/activity, the activity verifier will start monitoring your activities and will keep records of when you fulfil the various criteria assigned to that role. At the end of the academic year when you have completed your activity and fulfilled all criteria, the activity verifier will send your registration number to the University Computing Services so that they know to add the activity to your individual HEAR!

Q What happens if students don't have any extra-curricular activities to include in Section 6.1?

A A standard text will be included at the top of Section 6.1, to explain that the list of activities and awards included in this section is not exhaustive, and that students may very well have other achievements that the University and Students' Union have not been in a position to verify. Students will be encouraged to include details of such additional achievements in other documentation such as their CV, Sheffield Graduate Development Programme portfolio, or job application statements.

Q I started my degree in 2011, can I get the HEAR?

A No, the HEAR is only available to undergraduate students who have started/ will start their degree from September 2012 onwards.

Q How is the HEAR different from the Sheffield Graduate Award?

A The HEAR is an achievement report, not an award. It will be issued to all completing undergraduates from September 2012 onwards and will include information about students' academic learning as well as extra-curricular achievements. You do not need to 'opt-in' or sign up to the HEAR as every undergraduate will get one, whereas The Sheffield Graduate Award is an additional scheme that you would sign up to. The Sheffield Graduate Award (SGA) will be one of the extra-curricular achievements that will be recognised in the Sheffield HEAR; but the HEAR will recognise other forms of non- academic learning and achievement as well.

The SGA requires a particularly high level of commitment from students, as award candidates are required to undertake a range of activities which fall under four (out of six) distinct activity areas. If students complete the award, it will appear in their HEAR; but if they do not complete or enrol for the award, they will still be able to receive recognition for other individual extra-curricular achievements.

The HEAR will enable more students to demonstrate wider experience and engagement, since the SGA will no longer be the only means by which extra- curricular achievements can be recorded and verified. For more information about the Sheffield Graduate Award, go to: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ thesheffieldgraduateaward

Q Will the Sheffield Graduate Award still be available to new students?

A Yes, the Sheffield Graduate Award will still be available and this can be verified and recognised in the extra-curricular section of your HEAR.

Q I'm starting my postgraduate degree at Sheffield in September 2012, will I be able to get the HEAR?

A No, the HEAR is currently only available to undergraduate students who start their degree in September 2012 onwards.

Q Will new students still need to write a CV if they have the HEAR?

A Yes! The HEAR is by no means a replacement of a CV, it is a complementary document which will provide verification of your extra-curricular achievements, which you will be able to expand upon in more detail on your CV. The HEAR is designed to help you to better articulate your University experiences on application forms and your CV.

Q Some members of my society committee are not graduating until 2014, will they be eligible for the HEAR?

A No, the HEAR will only be available for new undergraduate students starting at The University of Sheffield in September 2012 (and graduating from 2015 onwards). The University will not be retrospectively verifying students' extra- curricular achievements from previous years; we need to start the HEAR with a brand new intake of students.

Q I'm starting my undergraduate degree in September 2012 at the University of Sheffield and plan to return home to continue volunteering at my local Oxfam shop in the summer. Could this be included in my HEAR 6.1?

A Unfortunately this would not be included in your HEAR 6.1 directly, because it is not something coordinated by the University or Students' Union and so no University or Students' Union staff member can verify it. You could however use this valuable experience to count towards the Skills for Work certificate or the Sheffield Graduate Award which can both be recognised on your HEAR 6.1. For more information on the Skills for Work certificate, go to: http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/sfwc

Q I am the President of a political society and I am worried that future students may not want to take on this position if it has to be disclosed on their HEAR. Can they choose for this not to be mentioned?

A Yes, students will have control over which extra-curricular activities, if any, are recognised on their HEAR Section 6.1. They can choose not to fulfil all of the activity's HEAR criteria, or, if they do fulfil the criteria, they will then have the option to not display any or all of their extra-curricular activities.

Q In September 2012 I started a four year undergraduate course with a Master's combined, will I still get the HEAR?

A Yes, all students on integrated Master's programmes will still receive the HEAR.

Q Do employers know about the HEAR?

A Yes, there is a National HEAR Steering Group which has involved a range of employers in the consultation and development phases of the national HEAR project. The feedback from employers is that they welcome a richer picture of graduate applicants so that they can make better informed decisions during the application process. Employers also hope that the HEAR will help students and graduates to better present themselves in interviews and on application forms. The National Steering Group is developing guidance and support resources to help employers use the HEAR.

Students will be able to provide potential employers and other third parties with remote access to their individual HEAR as part of the application process for jobs, internships and other opportunities.

If your question has not been answered here, please visit www.shef.ac.uk/hear or email hear@sheffield.ac.uk.

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