Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions please ask here or have a look at the Lancaster Award Facebook page.
1. I want to find out more about the Lancaster Award; what should I do?
Book to attend one of the regular Introduction to the Lancaster Award workshops offered by CEEC using the CEEC website
2. Can anything I have done before coming to study at Lancaster University count towards the Lancaster Award?
No, only activities you have undertaken since you started at Lancaster University can count towards the award. One-year postgraduates, however, can use examples for Work Experience and Addition Skills from their time at their previous institution.
3. Can I complete the Lancaster Award if I am only at Lancaster for one year?
Yes, though the completion of the Lancaster Award is voluntary and students will need to decide if they have the time available to complete all aspects of the Award within one year in addition to fulfilling their academic commitments.
Please note that one-year post-graduate students are allowed to use examples from their previous institution for the Work Experience and Addition Skills sections.
4. What are the Insight courses?
A range of exciting 1 or 2 day interactive programmes which will give you the opportunity to participate in fun learning activities that will help you to observe, gain and demonstrate the personal and employability skills required for your future career path. To find out more about the Insight Courses and to book your place see the CEEC website.
5. My timetable is very full and I am finding it hard to fit in an Insight course - what should I do?
The first thing you should do is ask your department if they are one of the many who are embedding the programme as part of your degree scheme. If programmes are not running in your department and you wish to attend the centrally-delivered Insight programmes, you will need to consider (as with any extra-curricular activity) how this balances with your academic commitments.
The Insight course is a compulsory part of the award and you will not be able to achieve the award without attending one.
6. Can the things I have done in my vacation periods whilst at Lancaster count towards the award?
Yes.
7. I am completing work experience as part of my course. Would this count towards the work experience component of the award?
Yes.
8. What is the deadline for applying for the Lancaster Award?
The deadlines for final year students for 2012 are:
Activities Checklist: Any time before Monday 29th October 2012*
Skills Bank: 9am Monday 29th October 2012
Application Form: 9am Monday 10th December 2012
The deadlines for all other students for 2013 are:
June 2013
(specific dates TBC)
*Students should have completed their Activities Checklist well in advance of submitting their Skills Bank.
Top tip: don’t leave it till the last minute!
9. How long will it take to complete the Skills Bank?
This is a crucial part of gaining the Award and previous students have underestimated the time it takes to produce the detailed quality evidence required. Producing your Skills Bank is worth all the effort as it will give you a bank of skills evidence that you can use when applying for graduate jobs. Good quality evidence such as this will increase your chances of being shortlisted for graduate positions. So do make sure you have the time to do all the work and any revisions suggested well before the deadlines
11. I have dyslexia. How will this affect my application?
Tick the box on the front of the paperwork to alert the Lancaster Award Team member assessing it. You will be then be given one-to-one support to identify and correct any errors. This will then give you confidence to use this master application form in future applications.
12. I have health problems which may impact on my ability to do all the elements of the Award, what should I do?
Make an appointment to discuss your situation with a Careers Adviser. This is the ideal opportunity to check out the help and support that might be available to you in the graduate recruitment cycle.