Academic professional skills

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UCLan Coursework Assessment Brief

Academic Year 2025-26

Trimester 1

Module Title: Academic and Professional Skills

Module Code: BM1025; CO1009; HI1014; NU1109; PS1150;

Level 4

Report First sit Tri 1

This assessment is worth 60% of the overall module mark

THE BRIEF/INSTRUCTIONS Your task is to write a report which answers the following question:

Focusing on your subject area or industry, write a report in which you:

 Define what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means in your field.  Identify key issues, challenges, or controversies driving change.  Analyse how organisations, professionals, or systems are responding.  Make recommendations based on research and best practice.

Your submission should follow the structure below:

Uclan Cover Sheet (not included in the word count) 

 Please ensure your submission includes the standard UCLan cover sheet, as per university guidelines.

Title Page (not included in the word count)   Include the report title, student ID, course, date of submission and word count.

Executive Summary (suggested: 250 words) 

 Summarise the key points of your report: the topic, main findings, and recommendations.

Contents Page  List all sections with page numbers.

1. Introduction (suggested: 300 words)  Define the key terms  Briefly explain the significance of the topic.  Provide a statement of aims

Note: You must use two set texts exclusively in this section. These are available on the module VLE page, on the Assessment and Assessment Guidance tile.

  2. Background (suggested: 750 words) 

 Provide context: historical, social, or institutional factors that shape the topic in your field.  Identify key challenges, controversies, or drivers of change

3. Critical Analysis of Current Practices (suggested: 1000)

 Choose a relevant organisation or system.  Analyse how it addresses key challenges or issues within this area.

How is your subject area or industry adapting to meet the demands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

 Evaluate the effectiveness of its approach, identifying both successes and shortcomings.

4. Conclusion (suggested: 200 words)   Summarise your key findings.

5. Recommendations (suggested: 500 words) 

5.1 Recommendations for the sector Provide two research-based recommendations for how organisations, institutions, or governing bodies can better address the issues discussed. 5.2 Recommendations for Students Provide two recommendations for how future professionals can prepare to meet expectations.

  6. Reference List (not included in word count) 

 This should follow the appropriate referencing guidelines. 

Please see the Assignments Section on the VLE for further information. This assessment tests learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4:

1. Communicate using clear, well-structured and appropriate written English

2. Find and evaluate information through research, applying this correctly and effectively

3. Use critical and creative skills to analyse a range of issues and make appropriate recommendations

Marking Criteria

Knowledge and Understanding Your work will demonstrate a clear understanding of key concepts relevant to the topic.

You will be able to explain why the topic is important in the context of employability within your chosen subject area or industry.

Your work should demonstrate understanding of the format and purpose of a report, as well as the specific function of each section.

Application

Your work will show depth of analysis, by exploring connections between ideas. You will be able to apply your understanding to real-world scenarios, using examples relevant to your topic or industry. You should also be able to use creative thinking to propose logical, well-reasoned solutions to challenges or problems.

Evidence

At this level you will begin to show effective use of a range of appropriate sources to support your ideas. An effective use of sources will also show an awareness of the importance of academic sources.  There should be evidence of critical thinking behind the choice of evidence and you will demonstrate ability to use evidence to support your own writing.

You will produce clear and logical paraphrasing and summarising and show an awareness that this should support but not replace your own thinking and writing. Outstanding students will demonstrate the ability to synthesise multiple sources.

Construction

You should be able to use paragraphing to present your ideas in a clear and logical manner. Paragraphs should have a clear central focus and demonstrate a logical flow between ideas. This could be achieved through techniques such as the use of topic sentences and cohesive language. Work at this level will demonstrate an awareness of the conventions of academic English, including referencing. This will be evidenced in the use of in-text citations and the formatting of the reference list. You will demonstrate the accurate use of a range of both vocabulary and grammar to communicate your ideas in a clear and effective manner

PREPARATION FOR THE ASSESSMENT

Support materials and guidance can be found on the module’s VLE page.

 You will find key guidance on planning and structuring your report in week 5 lesson materials.

 Guidance on researching, writing and using references can be found in materials for weeks 2 and 6.

 Help with making your writing more analytical can be found in materials for week 7.

There will also be three classes dedicated to improving drafts of your work.

 Report Plan and Introduction: week 10

 Critical Analysis Paragraph: week 11

 Recommendations: week 12

Reading

The following reading will help enhance your assessment skills. You can access it on Bookshelf.

Bailey, S. (2021). Academic Writing for University Students. Oxford: Taylor and Francis.

Brick, J. et al. (2018). Academic Success. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

RELEASE DATE AND HAND IN DEADLINE Assessment Release date: week 1 Assessment Deadline Date and time: Monday, 15th December, 2pm (Week 13) Please note that this is the final time you can submit – not the time to submit! Indeed, it is strongly recommended that you submit well before the deadline of 2PM, as technical and other support will not be available at this time should you experience any difficulties within your submission. For a first submission, if you submit work late within five working days of the deadline without an authorised extension, your work will be capped at 40. Any work submitted in excess of five working days late will be awarded a mark of 0. For a reassessment, any work submitted late will be awarded a mark of 0.

If you need to apply for mitigation you must do so two days prior to or on the day of the scheduled submission deadline. You will then be given the opportunity to submit the assessment at the next assessment period. If you fail to submit it will be treated as a fail, with the next re-sit opportunity in the next trimester period. SUBMISSION DETAILS Please submit your assignment electronically as a word document through the Turnitin link. This can be found in the Assessment Tile on the Module VLE page. There is a maximum word count of 3000 (with 10% tolerance). The assessment needs to be submitted anonymously, so do not give your name anywhere on the piece of work. HELP AND SUPPORT Please read ALL this material thoroughly before emailing queries about the assignment as your question(s) might be answered in the help resources provided.  Please contact our academic support team at academic support if you require any academic skills support. You can also get general support with your academic skills (academic writing, critical thinking and referencing) through WISER. For details of the WISER support services go to the Study Skills section of the Student Hub.

 If you experienced issues in uploading work/assignment on Turnitin or accessing VLE, or Kortext, please visit the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) or contact [email protected] and our staff will be able to assist you.

 If you have not yet made the university aware of any disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term health or mental health condition, please complete a Self-Referral Form. The Inclusive Support team (Disability and Inclusion adviser) will then contact to discuss and provide necessary advice and support. For more information, please visit the Wellbeing page, which is available on the VLE.

 To access mental health and wellbeing support, you can also email [email protected], attend a drop-in, or visit our Wellbeing page for more information.

 If you have any other query or require further support, you can contact the iCentre via [email protected] where our staff will be able to help and where appropriate, direct you to the relevant university services. For more information, please visit the iCentre page.

 If you have any valid mitigating circumstances that means you cannot meet an assessment submission deadline and you wish to request an extension, you will need to apply for a mitigation claim prior to the deadline. For examination, mitigation claim must be submitted within 3 calendar days after the assessment has taken place. Please click on the following to access the form:

Student Advice and Support https://vle4.myonlineuni.org/course/view.php?id=185285

Please send the completed form to the [email protected] AI Tools which you may use within your assessment submission:

The University defines the categories of Artificial Intelligence tools in line with guidance from the QAA which includes translation software, paraphrasing tools and text generating software (essay bots), and tools to generate graphics or artworks, without specific authorisation.” (Source QAA April 2023)

It is vital that the work you submit demonstrates your own understanding, thoughts, and ideas in relation to the learning outcomes. You should not rely on GenAI tools to provide the content, analysis, or reflections that you are expected to produce yourself.

Grade % Knowledge and

Understanding Application Evidence Construction

Band % What do you know and understand?

What do you do with this?

How do you evidence/support this?

How do you communicate this?

Exceptional 1st / Distinction

100 Provides an insightful and nuanced understanding of key concepts. Significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is authoritatively explained. Demonstrates an outstanding understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report, as well as the specific role of each section.

Demonstrates outstanding depth of analysis by exploring connections between ideas and considering implications and exceptions. Exceptional ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios is consistently demonstrated. Recommendations demonstrate an outstanding ability to apply logical and creative skills to find solutions.

Outstanding use of a range of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments. Use of set texts in the introduction demonstrates exceptional ability to extract relevant information from sources. Authoritative use of paraphrasing and summarising, which expertly supports own thinking and writing. Synthesis of sources exceeds expectations

Exemplary use of paragraphing to present ideas in a logical manner. Written content is extremely clear throughout and expresses ideas with outstanding level of nuance and precision. Outstanding awareness of academic conventions, including the use of formal and objective language. All sources are cited accurately and consistently in the required style, with a complete and correctly formatted reference list.

Very High 1st/ Distinction

High 1st/ Distinction

Mid 1st/ Distinction

Provides a convincing understanding of key concepts. Significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is explained with sophistication. Demonstrates excellent understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report, as well as the specific role of each section.

Demonstrates excellent depth of analysis by exploring connections between ideas and considering implications. Convincing ability to apply knowledge to real- world scenarios is consistently demonstrated. Recommendations demonstrate an excellent ability to apply logical and

Excellent use of a range of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments. Use of set texts in the introduction demonstrates convincing ability to extract relevant information from sources. Sophisticated use of paraphrasing and summarising, which supports own thinking and writing. Some

Excellent use of paragraphing to present ideas in a logical manner. Written content is clear throughout and expresses ideas with nuance and precision. Excellent awareness of academic conventions, including the use of formal and objective language. Sources are cited accurately in the required style, with a complete and

Low 1st / distinction

The following categories of specific tools may be used in the creation of your assessed work:

Category Specific Tool Permitted

1 Assistive AI Tools MS Word spell check and grammar

2 Generative AI Microsoft 365 Copilot and ChatGPT (planning only)

3 Translation Software Google Translate

NOTE: where you are permitted to include AI-generated content within your assessment, it must be referenced appropriately. Additionally, you must record any usage of GenAI tools within the assessment coversheet, including the name of the tool, what you have used it for, and screenshots of both the input prompt and the generated output. Disclaimer: The information provided in this assessment brief is correct at time of publication. In the unlikely event that any changes are deemed necessary, they will be communicated clearly via e-mail and a new version of this assessment brief will be circulated.

Version: 1(AM)

creative skills to find solutions.

synthesis of sources is achieved.

correctly formatted reference list.

High 2.1/merit

68 Provides a thorough understanding of key concepts. Significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is convincingly explained. Demonstrates very good understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report, as well as the specific role of each section.

Demonstrates very good depth of analysis by exploring connections between ideas. Ability to apply knowledge to real- world scenarios is consistently demonstrated. Recommendations demonstrate confidence in applying logical and creative skills to find solutions.

Consistent use of a range of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments. Use of set texts in the introduction demonstrates very good ability to extract relevant information from sources. Thorough use of paraphrasing and summarising, which supports own thinking and writing.

Very good use of paragraphing to present ideas in a logical manner. Written content is clear throughout and expresses ideas with precision. Very good awareness of academic conventions, including the use of formal and objective language. Sources are mostly cited accurately in the required style, with a complete and correctly formatted reference list.

Mid 2.1/merit

Low 2.1/merit

High 2.2 / High Pass

Provides a clear understanding of key concepts. Significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is well explained. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report, as well as the specific role of each section, with minimal lapses.

Demonstrates good depth of analysis by exploring connections between ideas. Ability to apply knowledge to real- world scenarios is demonstrated, though this might not be sustained. Recommendations demonstrate some confidence in applying logical and creative skills to find solutions.

Good use of a range of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments. Use of set texts in the introduction demonstrates good ability to extract relevant information from sources. Accurate use of paraphrasing and summarising, although this may at times replace own thinking and writing.

Good use of paragraphing to present ideas in a logical manner. Written content is mostly clear and expresses ideas with some precision. Good awareness of academic conventions, including the use of formal language. Sources are generally cited accurately in the required style, and the reference list is mostly appropriately formatted.

Mid 2.2 / Mid+ Pass

Low 2.2/ Mid Pass

High 3rd / Low+ Pass

48 Provides a reasonable understanding of key concepts. Significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is adequately explained. Understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report, is satisfactory. Although all sections are included, there are noticeable lapses regarding their specific roles.

Demonstrates satisfactory depth of analysis by exploring some connections between ideas, but work is largely descriptive. Some ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios is demonstrated. Recommendations demonstrate reasonable ability to apply creative skills to find solutions

Satisfactory use of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments. Use of set texts in the introduction demonstrates reasonable ability to extract relevant information from sources. Adequate use of paraphrasing and summarising, although this often replaces own thinking and writing.

Adequate use of paragraphing to present ideas in a logical manner. Written content is reasonably clear, although it may lack precision. Satisfactory awareness of academic conventions, including the use of formal language. There is a reasonable attempt to cite sources correctly and format the reference list appropriately, although there may be some lapses.

Mid 3rd / Low Pass

Low 3rd / Low- Pass

Marginal Fail

35* Demonstrates an incomplete understanding of key concepts. Significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is insufficiently explained. Demonstrates a limited understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report and some sections may be inadequate or missing.

Demonstrates limited depth of analysis and work is mostly descriptive. Ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios is inconsistent. Recommendations demonstrate basic ability to apply creative skills to find solutions

Inconsistent use of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments. Use of set texts in the introduction is superficial. Limited use of paraphrasing and summarizing.

Inconsistent use of paragraphing to present ideas in a logical manner. Written content is not sufficiently clear. Insufficient awareness of academic conventions. Sources are inadequately cited and the reference list is inappropriate.

Mid Fail 30*

Low Fail 25 Demonstrates little understanding of key concepts. Significance of

Demonstrates extremely limited depth of analysis and work is almost entirely

Extremely limited use of appropriate academic and reliable sources to

Paragraphs are mostly unstructured. Written content is poorly

the topic in the context of chosen subject area is poorly explained. Demonstrates an extremely limited understanding of the overall structure and purpose of a report and many sections are inadequate or missing.

descriptive. Ability to apply knowledge to real- world scenarios is below expectations. Recommendations show little ability to apply creative skills to find solutions

support arguments. Introduction shows little understanding of the set texts. Poor use of paraphrasing and summarizing.

communicated. Limited awareness of academic conventions demonstrated. Sources are poorly cited and the reference list is below expectations.

Fail 10 Understanding of key concepts is lacking. The significance of the topic in the context of chosen subject area is not explained. Demonstrates inability to structure a report.

There is an absence of analysis. Application of knowledge to real-world scenarios is lacking. There are no recommendations.

Use of appropriate academic and reliable sources to support arguments is lacking. Set texts have not been used in the introduction. No attempt at paraphrasing or summarizing sources.

There are no recognizable paragraphs. Written content is poorly communicated. Awareness of academic conventions is lacking. Sources are not cited and there is no reference list.