Degree Xcel is a skills based learning programme, run by the Students' Union in conjunction with the School of Education and Lifelong Learning.

Degree Xcel is designed to help Student Volunteers become more aware of their existing skills and those they can develop through volunteering. The aim is to help students excel in areas in addition to their degree and to gain recognition for their commitment and experience. This recognition comes in the form of a Certificate of Achievement issued by the University.

Degree Xcel is a great addition to your CV and/or Progress File . Degree Xcel enables you to present future employers with information and evidence of additional learning and personal development. The programme encourages you to think about and, record the skills gained through self-reflection and assessment.

Degree Xcel focuses on Personal Development or ‘Key’ skills which students may not gain as part of their degree or course. The skills focused on are:

Leadership

Communication

Customer Care

Team work

Time management

Problem management

Self-awareness

Self-reliance

Initiative

Networking

Problem solving

Organisation

The amount of time taken to complete Degree Xcel differs for each student and depends mainly on how frequently you are volunteering. This makes Degree Xcel very flexible and enables it to be tailored to each individual. Degree Xcel does not give you any extra module credits or recognised qualifications. It is completely separate to your degree or course.

Can you participate?

To qualify for the Degree Xcel Programme, you must:

• be registered on a course at the University of Sunderland

• be volunteering with an organisation or project that is of benefit to the local community and/or the University

• volunteer at your opportunity/placement over and above the times required for your course

• have 'significant' contact with the client group*

• have the opportunity, through your volunteering, to gain the skills in addition to those gained as part of your course

 (*Client Group - a group of people identified as being in need of support)

If you are not volunteering at the moment, the Community Bridge team can help you find an opportunity that suits you .

Your input

To complete Degree Xcel and receive your certificate, you must:

• maintain a Volunteering Diary

• attend a minimum of 3 Core meetings (approx. 30-45 minutes each) and complete the relevant self-assessment forms

• Deliver a 10-15 minute presentation at your third and final assessment meeting

For more information about Degree Xcel visit Silje Boyum, your student volunteering adviser, based in the Students’ Union in Wearmouth Hall, Chester Road campus or email silje.boyum@sunderland.ac.uk

You can also register for Degree Xcel online:

http://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/main/volunteering/degreexcel/register