FAQ
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Award Essentials
- Do I need to attend all of the Input Sessions?
Yes you must attend all 3 Input sessions as part of your Edinburgh Award. We run multiple options for each session, with some on campus and some online. Please get in touch as soon as you can if you are not able to attend a session and we will endeavour to ensure you can still participate.
- What happens if I can’t finish the Edinburgh Award?
You are always able to withdraw from the Edinburgh Award at any point in the year without any detriment to you and your HEAR transcript. You may find it useful to transfer to the Professional Development Certificate, which has less requirements and means that your work so far can still be recognised.
- What is the difference between an Award and a Certificate?
Edinburgh Awards
The Edinburgh Award is a central programme created by the Careers Service that students can undertake alongside a particular activity. The Award aims to recognise student involvement in specific activities that have a positive impact on others and enhance these experiences. The programme focuses on the three stages of aspiring, developing, and owning your skill development.
There are over a hundred different versions of the Edinburgh Award at the University, with three being run locally by the School of Social and Political Science. Our Student Development staff are committed to supporting students in developing and reflecting on their skills.
Your Edinburgh Award will appear on your Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR) transcript, as well as receiving a certificate and being invited to attend a university-wide celebration for all Edinburgh Award holders in the summer.
The Award entails 55-hours of self-directed work over the academic year.
SPS Certificates
Certificates recognise attendance at specific skills development workshops, requiring a shorter time commitment than the Edinburgh Awards. These Certificates are run locally by the Student Development Office and are awarded in-house. Therefore, this will not appear on your HEAR transcript, but you will receive a certificate from the SDO and can be added to your CV!
You will be asked to reflect on your skill development throughout the year via the completion of surveys, but you will not be required to attend input sessions or complete an impact activity. You may join the Certificate at any time; however you should consider your capacity at the time of starting your certificate.
- Can I be enrolled on an Award and a Certificate at the same time?
You are only able to complete an SDO Edinburgh Award or a Certificate at any one time. If you chose to withdraw from the Edinburgh Award, you’re welcome to undertake the Certificate instead.
Workshops
- Which workshops can I attend?
The majority of the workshops that you attend for your Edinburgh Award should be from within SPS. You may also choose to attend workshops from across the university, including the IAD and the Careers Service, as well as through Linkedin Learning. You can attend external workshops and training opportunities too, you just need to make sure that they allow you to develop your skills and are relevant to your award aims.
- How do I keep track of my hours?
You’ll be provided with a template that you’re welcome to use for your hour log. You’re also welcome to use whichever method of recording your activities that makes the most sense to you. If you’d like a reminder of the sessions you’ve attend, you can contact us at ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk – we are only able to advise on the workshops that we organise.
- I did workshops over the summer, do these count?
Unless the workshops and training are integral to your role or impact activity, only workshops undertaken this academic year are eligible for your award. These can be sessions that took place before you started your Edinburgh Award, so long as they were within the academic year.
- I did some professional development workshops last year. Can I count these toward the Award?
No, only skills workshops completed during the Award will be counted.
- When should I attend workshops?
It’s up to you to manage your semester effectively, and to ensure that you have enough time and capacity for your courses. We advise that you attend workshops spread out across the semester, and that you pace yourself. It is not in-keeping with the intended impact of the award to complete all of your workshop hours at the beginning or the end of your award.
- Can I get a certificate for the sessions I attended?
Yes, we can provide these upon request.
- I can't make a session I signed up for. What should I do?
Please cancel your place via the online booking system or email to let us know that you cannot attend. Many of our workshops become full quite quickly and by cancelling your place you will allow another student to benefit from the training.
If you continually fail to attend sessions without cancellation, you may not be allowed to sign up for later workshops.
- What happens if I don't attend enough sessions?
If you are unable to attend enough skills training sessions, you will be withdrawn from the Award.
Impact Activities
- What can I use for my impact activities?
Any and all opportunities you have to share your insight and to have impact on your peers can contribute towards your Edinburgh Award Impact Activities. This might include:
- School or Programme Rep
- Community Volunteering
- Society or Club Committee Position
- Leadership role in a faith group or community organisation
- Running workshops and training sessions
- PALS Leader*
- Can you help fund my impact activity?
We have a limited budget available to support events:
- I am doing another Edinburgh Award outside of SPS, can I use the same activities for both?
No, each Edinburgh Award you undertake must be based around it’s own distinct set of workshops, impact activities and input sessions. This means undertaking all elements of the award twice. There are no restrictions on undertake 2 Edinburgh Awards simultaneously, however you should consider whether you have the time and ability to do so. You are always able to withdraw from one or both of the Edinburgh Awards if you find you are not able to complete them.
- Can I use my Placement-Based Dissertation as my Impact Activity?
Your placement-based dissertation can be used as your full 30 hours impact activity.
- I volunteer at a charity shop. Can I use that activity for my Award?
No, only activities which feature a knowledge exchange component can be accepted for the Award.