Why our students need co-curricular, not extra-curricular, activities

By Marilyn Andrews. Skills development should be embedded in academic programmes, rather than an add-on, to give students the best chance of shaping their future, says Marilyn Andrews. As January's High Fliers report shows, the gratuate job market in 2013 is one of the most competitive we've ever known. Time and time again employers tell us that a degree alone is not indicative of a well-rounded graduate. So what can universities do to provide further development opportunities to complement the academic curriculum?
I strongly believe that given the right tools, students will thrive in taking charge of their own development, but to help them do this, we need to reassess our role as higher education providers. We should not just provide the opportunities for students to achieve good academic results but actively promote the benefits of a wider curriculum to students. After all, university should be seen as a transformative experience through which students can prepare themselves to succeed in the many and varied roles they will undertake in future life.
That's why, over the last few years, Keele University has evaluated its offering to recognise the importance and value of both academic curriculum and co-curricular activities in developing the range of skills and attributes that are important for graduates. Armed with a better sense of the student journey, the university has designed a 'development strand' to support students' transition through higher education and enable them to take responsibility for their own development. Read more...