Students Notice

All Students

For 2025/26 The Ulster Graduate Award is for Year 1 undergraduate students only. If you are in a different year group please visit the Ulster EDGE Award website where you can access relevant extra-curricular activities and secure the recognition you deserve

Welcome to the Ulster Graduate Award

The skills you need and the recognition you deserve

This prestigious new award is for Year 1 undergraduate students and is an opportunity to gain official recognition for the experiences and skills you develop outside your academic studies. Whether you're volunteering, leading, working, or learning — it all counts.

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What is it and what do you need to do?

The Ulster Graduate Award will help you improve your confidence, develop your skills and expand your networks through the completion and recognition of developmental extra-curricular activities.

To achieve it you need to complete:

  • A minimum of 2 approved developmental extra curricular activities
  • Complete the required final application towards the end of your penultimate year

To get started Register for the Ulster Graduate Award

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Why you should do it

Deserved Recognition

Validation for your achievements

Competitive advantage

Take the opportunity to differentiate yourself

Skills for your future

Get ready for your university to workplace transition

Expand your connections

Your network is more important than you think

What kind of activities can you use?

The activities you use as evidence for your Ulster Graduate Award must be developmental and extra curricular (outside of your degree). They can be activities you are already engaging with or new experiences within or outside the university. As long as they are not counting towards your degree assessment and are helping you develop the Ulster Graduate Attributes they can count.

Volunteering

Explore volunteering opportunities and secure Ulster Graduate Award recognition for any current volunteering experiences

Employability Activities

Employability & Graduate Futures run a range of programmes you can use to achieve your Ulster Graduate Award.

Student Success Centre

Complete activities that will help you with the academic skills you need to learn and succeed with confidence at university....

Work Experience and Internships

Internships, placements and other forms of work experience can count towards your Ulster Graduate Award journey

Other Achievements and Qualifications

Secure recognition for other achievements or additional training and qualifications

Sustainability Related Activities

From accredited Carbon Literacy Training through Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful to self directed learning activities such as Nature Connectedness...

UUSU and Student Voice Roles

From Course Rep to Student Councillor, there are a range of UUSU roles that can help you achieve the Ulster...

Global Experiences

This section explains how you secure Ulster Graduate Award recognition for international study, work or volunteering experiences....

Subject Specific Activities

In many cases, your course team has created subject specific activities that perfectly compliment your main programme of study and...

Register now

By registering for the Ulster Graduate Award you will provide us with information that we will use to guide and support you through your learning journey. After you fill out the short registration form, our team will reach out to offer suggestions and the opportunity for a 1-1 consultation that will help you map out your Ulster Graduate Award journey.

Register (Opens in a new window)

Develop the Ulster Graduate Attributes

By completing the Ulster Graduate Award you will develop the Ulster Graduate Attributes, ensuring that you are ready for the future of work

Thriving Individual

Someone who has the ability to be resilient, accept and embrace change, seeking to mentally grow themselves and those around...

Engaged Learner

Someone who is knowledgeable and able to deepen their understanding about their subject and the world.

Collaborative Professional

Someone who is able to contribute to society widely and especially in their field of knowledge.

Active Citizen

Someone who is engaging, ethical, sustainable, making a positive impact.

What students say

"Extra curricular activities are more important than you think.

They have helped me grow my confidence to a new level and that impacts a lot of other areas including my communication, presentation skills and just how I interact.

The Ulster Graduate Award offers flexibility so everyone can create their own unique development journey."

Jack

Engineering

Accessing support

Need help?

Our Graduate Development Coaches are here to support you every step of the way.

  • Book a 1-1 session
  • Drop into a campus support hub
  • Email us with your questions
Image for Meet your local coach

Supporting your Ulster Graduate Award Journey

Email graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk or feel free to reach out to a member of the team directly

Brian Byers

Student and Graduate Opportunities Team
Belfast
Room: BD-03-027
+44 28 9536 5066
b.byers@ulster.ac.uk
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Rebecca Ellison

Graduate Futures Team
Belfast
Room: BD-03-027
+44 28 9536 5084
r.ellison@ulster.ac.uk
View Profile

Angie Johnston

Graduate Futures Team
Belfast
Room: BD-03-027
+44 28 9536 7126
a.johnston3@ulster.ac.uk
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Katrina Marron

Graduate Futures Team
Coleraine
Room: H214
+44 28 7012 3267
k.marron@ulster.ac.uk
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Katherine Crosbie

Graduate Futures Team
Coleraine
Room: H214
+44 28 7012 3356
k.crosbie@ulster.ac.uk
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Dr Rachel Shannon

Student and Graduate Opportunities Team
Belfast
Room: BD-03-027
+44 28 9536 5922
r.shannon@ulster.ac.uk
View Profile