Degree Xcel

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. 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.

Download the handbook...

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)

Your input

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

• attend a minimum of 3 Core meetings and complete the relevant self-assessment forms 
• maintain a Volunteering Diary
• Deliver a 10-15 minute presentation at your third and final assessment meeting

For more information about Degree Xcel visit Alesha Aljeffri, your student volunteering advisor, based in the Students’ Union in Edinburgh Building, Chester Road campus or email Alesha