1. University of Wolverhampton
  2. Current students
  3. Careers, Employability and Success
  4. Graduate Attributes Framework

The Graduate Attributes Framework

The Graduate Attributes Framework at the University of Wolverhampton aims to equip students with essential skills and qualities that enhance employability and personal development. It was developed to enhance students' professional and personal skills and competencies to help them secure employment and make a valuable contribution to society.

Research shows government and professional bodies endorse a framework approach to the identification of desirable student and graduate attributes to enable them to be successful in a modern, knowledge-based society.

University of Wolverhampton graduates will be:

Global Citizens Knowledgeable Professional Digitally Fluent
Culturally and socially aware Academically and/or technically skilled Innovative and enterprising Digitally confident
Emotionally intelligent Critical thinker Commercially aware Digital communicators
Effective communicator Analytical Resilient Security conscious
Self-aware Reflective Ambitious Ethical use of AI
Confident Curious Adaptable  
Self-Motivated Autonomous Goal oriented  
Ethical and inclusive Engaged learner Creative  
Collaborative Sustainability driven Lateral thinker  

Mapping

The following gives a short descriptor for each attribute to assist teams within the University when they wish to map their activity to the framework.

  • Culturally and socially aware - Aware that people may differ in perceptions, customs, mannerisms, language and behaviour because of their cultural and social background. Sensitive towards this, recognising that they are also subject to social influences.
  • Emotionally intelligent - Aware that there are multiple ways to think and respond to any given situation and have discipline to choose ways that are most apposite for the situation and the people involved.
  • Effective communicator - Able to convey ideas, concepts, instructions and information clearly to others; pitch communications appropriately and use suitable means.
  • Self-aware - Aware of their own unique combination of personal characteristics, behavioural tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. Aware of themselves in relation to external factors such as to socioeconomic structures and cultural norms. Aware of their own wellbeing and that of others.
  • Confident - Self-assured in their own ability to act upon the world using their individual set of abilities and knowledge.
  • Self-motivated - In possession of the drive and determination to fulfil academic and career related objectives.
  • Ethical and inclusive - Respectful of diversity, equity and inclusion, applying these in their interactions with others. They embrace ethical codes such as the Student Charter and those of professional regulatory bodies relevant to their career aim and they make positive contributions to the economic, social and cultural life of their communities.
  • Collaborative - Willing to contribute strengths, skills, personal qualities, knowledge and ideas to team endeavours. Able to give and receive feedback, devise and accept compromises and adapt to the needs of others and team collaborations.

  • Academically and technically skilled - Equipped with specialist sets of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to enter skilled employment.
  • Critical thinker - Able to understand arguments (oral and textual) and have the ability to articulate responses and feedback in an assertive and objective manner.
  • Analytical - Able to conceptualise and articulate complex situations and problems and come up with solutions using the given and available information through the process of logical reasoning.
  • Reflective - Ongoingly engaged in the process of analysing situations and personal strengths/weaknesses: evaluating them, striving for continual improvement and implementing changes to obtain the desired goal(s).
  • Curious - Lifelong learners with an inquisitive nature, demonstrating a continuous desire to learn and proactively seek out answers.
  • Autonomous - Able to capitalise on the independence given to make sound decisions and act independently within a dynamic working or learning environment.
  • Engaged learner - Active participators in their learning, career planning and university life.
  • Sustainability driven - Demonstrate individual responsibility for sustainability and understand the importance of sustainability in their discipline area.

  • Innovative & enterprising - Able to generate new business ideas, facilitate change and optimise opportunities.
  • Commercially aware - Able to understand what makes a business or organisation successful.
  • Resilient - Able to persevere through difficult situations, manage their health and wellbeing and learn about themselves following the experience.
  • Ambitions - Driven to achieve and succeed.
  • Adaptable - Able to comfortably adjust to new and changing situations or environments.
  • Goal oriented - Able to prioritise and focus on achieving set tasks.
  • Creative - Able to use their imagination to develop original ideas.
  • Lateral thinker - Imaginative when solving problems which may require them to think outside of the box, be resourceful and challenge traditional methods.

  • Digitally confident - Confident in the use of digital devices, applications and services whilst being agile and responsive to new and evolving technologies.
  • Digital communicators - Able to communicate effectively in digital media, while managing digital identity, reputation, wellbeing and safety on social media platforms.
  • Security conscious - Understand the legal, ethical and security requirements around using and collecting data.
  • Ethical use of AI - Responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence technology by adhering to principles that prioritise safety, transparency, fairness, and environmental considerations.