Faculty of Social Sciences – Assessment Brief for Students – 2019/2020

Module code and title

4BU006 - Learning for Business Success
Module leader
Alexandar Phillips
Diet First attempt

Assessment type Assessment 1 - Essay with Appendices

Submission date 22nd November 2019

Submission method E-submission via Canvas

Assessment limits Upto 1800 words

Assessment weighting 50%

Assessment brief (if appropriate, please refer to module assessment briefing document)

This assessment requires you to write an essay of up to 1800 words about your employability skills. Using
supporting audit material used in class (which should be attached to the end of your work, when submitted)
create a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats analysis) in relation to your employability skills.
Summarise your personal reflections and then create a PDP (personal development plan).

To pass this assessment, you need to submit more than just the essay.

With your essay, you must submit a detailed, well justified SWOT analysis, which is supported by at least 6 self-
audit materials used inside and outside of the classroom in relation to your employability skills. From this, you
then need to develop a PDP relevant to your employability skills and your first year study at University, using
resources discussed in class and from your own reading.

For this PDP, you must select at least THREE employability skills to develop (e.g. time management,
presentation skills, problem solving etc) related to the findings in your SWOT.

Helpful hint: You need to show the relationship between your SWOT and your PDP i.e. if presentation skills are a
W (weakness) on your SWOT, then that needs to be a key skill to address in your PDP.

Within your PDP, you need to set yourself SMART (i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, realistically resourced
and timely) objectives within your PDP, showing how you will develop these skills over this semester.

Helpful hint: if you are going to develop your presentation skills, then what actions are you going to take? Maybe
attend a skills session in the University Library? Maybe read a book/watch a video? Get help from friends?
Practice in class? Review the feedback from presentations in other modules etc? You will need at least 5 actions
for each of the 3 skills.

You must also list the books, journals, websites etc that you have used to inform your SWOT and PDP
discussions in your essay, using Harvard Referencing (at least 10). You must include some theory (i.e concepts
discussed in class and that you have read) to support what you are saying in your essay (and you must list your
references at the end of the essay.)

Helpful hint: if you are talking about presentation skills, what have you read that helps you improve these? Have
you discovered the 6 P’s of presentations, the 8 C’s of communication skills etc? Once you have read these,
now you need to apply them to your reflections in your essay.

Authorised: Authorised: FoSS version 1 - Approved by: FAEC November 8 th 2016. Ref: 2 Module Assessment Briefing Form
Helpful hint: Here is the link to our Harvard Reference Guide;
https://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/media/departments/lis/skills/study-guides/LS067-HARVARD-Full-Guide-2017.pdf

Your SWOT and PDP are considered to be supporting material and so are the self audit materials and other
resources attached from inside and outside the classroom. These are expected to go in your Appendices and
therefore, none of these are included in the essay word count. However, your personal reflections, examples
used and learning all attached in these Appendices will be the basis for your essay.

A template will be provided to help guide your essay but here is a suggested structure below;

Introduction (@350 words)

 A brief introduction to your University journey so far (how you felt in the first few days/weeks)
 A summary of the key things you have learnt so far about yourself at University

Main body (@1000 words)

 Your personal reflections on the key audit material/questionnaires you have completed so far; what have
you learnt from these (i.e. about your learning style, your motivations, your personality, your
employability skills?) What theory helps to explain this? How can you use your reading to
support/explain further?
 A discussion about your reflections in relation to your SWOT and how this led to your PDP – add in
theory here too. (There should be clear connections between your self audit material, your SWOT and
your PDP which are attached as supporting evidence in the Appendices, at the end of your essay)
 A discussion of actions to be taken in relation to your 3 key employability skills and your feelings about
these (you need at least 5 actions per skill). Ensure you discuss how realistic are these? How likely are
they to happen and why?
 Discuss any actions you have taken so far (perhaps linked to what you have done in class?) including a
review of your BRONZE (WEEA) award score and overall reflections on your learning so far, with
examples

Remember to add in theory to support what you are saying throughout.

Conclusion (@450 words)

 Thoughts for the rest of this semester; key challenges/concerns in relation to the actions to be taken
 Reference list (of all sources referred to in your essay) – at least 10 needed

Appendices (do not count towards word count) MUST include;

 All supporting evidence i.e. at least 6 pieces of audit material from the class or outside
 Your detailed SWOT analysis
 Your detailed PDP with at least 3 employability skills listed, with 5 actions listed per skill
 A copy of your BRONZE (WEEA) award score

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Your essay and all your assessment evidence etc must be collated into one word document only (in the order
suggested above) and e-submitted into Canvas by the deadline set. Thank you.

Never delete any of your work. Always keep a copy of your work.

Once you complete and pass assessment 1 and 2 of this module, you will receive the Silver WEEA
award. If you would like to find out more about the Silver and GOLD WEEA award, more details can be
found here http://www.wlv.ac.uk/current-students/careers-enterprise-and-the-workplace/enterprise--
employability-award/work-experience/ For more advice, please contact Careers on careers@wlv.ac.uk

Authorised: Authorised: FoSS version 1 - Approved by: FAEC November 8 th 2016. Ref: 2 Module Assessment Briefing Form
 Assessment Criteria (The actual assessment components for this assignment)
Criteria Weighting (If applicable)
 Level of research and range of additional material used. 25%

 Reflecting, interpreting and presenting information 25%

 Coherent analysis of ideas presented 25%

 Maturity and precision of writing, grammar and style 25%

Postgraduate 50%
Pass mark
Undergraduate 40%
Other (PSRB or subject specific)
Performance descriptors in use;
 University of Wolverhampton Yes  No 
 Professional or Statutory Body Yes  No 
 Module specific Yes  No 
 Other (please see below) Yes  No 

Return of assessments
(Instructions for return / You will be able to access your submitted work through Canvas, once it is
collection of assessments)
marked, moderated and your feedback is attached.

This assessment is testing Module Learning outcomes Tick if tested here

LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of graduate skills, employability skills and the 

changing labour market; what the key skills are, how they apply to graduates
generally and more specifically, how they apply to themselves (using a variety of
diagnostic/self audit tools) and what is needed in the changing labour market
LO2 Display an increased self awareness and understanding of the principles of adult 
learning and continuous professional development (CPD); including personal
development planning, writing SMART objectives, taking actions, critically
reflecting on own learning and monitoring own progress
LO3 Show evidence of improvement in a variety of key employability skills, including x
their verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, group working,
negotiation skills, creativity/entrepreneurial skills, self awareness etc
LO4 Identify and select a range of literature sources, beyond the taught material, x
covering theory and research in relation to employability skills, CPD, learning,
reflection etc and to use these to underpin their personal learning and
development

Additional information for students

The University’s Learning Information Services have produced a series of guides covering a range of
topics to support your studies, and develop your academic skills including a guide to academic
referencing http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/skills_for_learning/study_guides.aspx

Your module guide and course handbook contain additional and important information regarding;
 The required referencing style for your assignment.*

Authorised: Authorised: FoSS version 1 - Approved by: FAEC November 8 th 2016. Ref: 2 Module Assessment Briefing Form
 Whilst many modules require referencing in accordance with the Harvard Referencing
convention, some modules – for example those within the School of Law – require Oxford
Referencing. Please familiarise yourself with the requirements of your module.

 Submission of your work

 Marking, feedback and moderation in accordance with the University of Wolverhampton
Assessment Handbook
 Extensions on submission dates *
 Additional support *
 Academic conduct with regards to cheating, collusion or plagiarism *
 Links to appropriate sources of relevant information *

* Further information regarding these and other policies can be accessed through your student portal on wlv.ac.uk.

Always keep a copy of your work and a file of working papers

The requirement to keep a file of working papers is important. There may be circumstances where it is
difficult to arrive at a mark for your work. If this is the case, you may be asked to submit your file and
possibly meet with your tutor to answer questions on your submission.

When you submit your work you will be required to sign an important declaration confirming that:
 The submission is your own work
 Any material you have used has been acknowledged and appropriately referenced
 You have not allowed another student to have access to your work
 The work has not been submitted previously.

The following information is important when:

 Preparing for your assignment
 Checking your work before you submit it
 Interpreting feedback on your work after marking.

Module Learning Outcomes

Module Learning Outcomes are specific to this module, and are set when the module was validated.

Assessment Criteria
The module Learning Outcomes tested by this assignment, and precise criteria against which your work
will be marked are outlined in your assessment brief.

Performance Descriptors
Performance descriptors indicate how marks will be arrived at against each of the assessment criteria. The
descriptors indicate the likely characteristics of work that is marked within the percentage bands indicated.
To help you further:
 Re-sit opportunities are available for students who are unable to take the first sit opportunity, or who
need to re take any component.
 Refer to the VLE topic for contact details of your module leader / tutor, tutorial inputs, recommended
reading and other sources, etc. Resit details will also appear on the VLE module topic.
 The University’s Learning Information Services offer support and guidance to help you with your studies
and develop your academic skills http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/skills_for_learning/study_guides.aspx

Authorised: Authorised: FoSS version 1 - Approved by: FAEC November 8 th 2016. Ref: 2 Module Assessment Briefing Form
4BU006 Performance Descriptors for Assessment 1
Assessment A (70-100%) B (60-69%) C (50-59%) D (40-49%) E (30-39%) F (0-29%)
criteria Work of an Work of a good Work of a Work of a Work of an No learning
outstanding, standard. competent satisfactory unsatisfactory outcomes fully
excellent and very standard. standard to standard met.
good standard. pass.

Some evidence
Content relevant Little/no attempt
of reading Material merely
Evidence of wide to the to address the
Level of outside the Limited reading repeats taught
independent reading question/task. assignment brief
research and module list and only; mostly just input. Too little
with variety of Reading based or learning
range of beyond class notes. Only evidence of
audit /supporting on main texts or outcomes or to
additional classroom notes. a few reading, from
material used. materials, but not engage with
material All significant audit/supporting class notes or
Excellent application always utilized in module
used. content accurate. materials outside. Limited
of researched supporting materials. No
Uses a good used/mostly audit/supporting
material and audit argument. Good evidence of
range of sources those used in materials used/
material/supporting range of reading or
and class. those used in
material to the topic. audit/supporting audit/supporting
audit/supporting class.
material. material.
material.
Good
Focused, in-depth understanding Lacks
Discussion is
and comprehensive and engagement Competently understanding of
relevant but
engagement with the with the discusses main basic theory and Inadequate/no
largely repeats
assessment. Very assessment. arguments. concepts. No demonstration of
taught input
clear argument with Good reflective Competent evidence of knowledge or
Reflecting without any
relevant examples writing, covering reflection and independent understanding of
on, further
used, including most aspects. summary of thinking or key concepts,
interpreting development.
application to self. Independent major learning personal theories or
and Work tends to be
Excellent critical thinking points. Sound reflection. practice. No
presenting uncritical and
reflective writing; evidenced use of material Wholly personal
information almost totally
identification and through relevant to the descriptive. reflection.
descriptive/not
summary of major application of topic/issues. No evidence of Weak/no SWOT
reflective.
learning points. theory to practice Competent application of and PDP.
Satisfactory
Excellent SWOT and and then SWOT and PDP. theory. Weak
SWOT and PDP.
PDP. personally. Good SWOT and PDP.
SWOT and PDP.
Detailed response Some assertions
with clear evidence All main points Generally sound made but not Superficial
of understanding. and important understanding of substantiated by treatment of
Coherent argument issues covered. basic concepts. evidence. theory and
excellently Researched Competently Content broadly practice
Coherent supported with materials used structured, with a relevant but with examples. Some Inadequate/no
analysis of appropriate very well to relatively easy to limited or little is relevant to the analysis of ideas
ideas supporting support follow argument. application of topic set. Little or presented.
presented evidence/material. argument. Very Assertions theory. no linkage of Extremely poorly
Work is extremely good structure supported by Presentation ideas, lacks presented. No
well structured and with logical appropriate adequate but logical sequence. clear structure.
has a professional sequence of material. could be Assertions lack
appearance with material and Reasonably well improved upon in substantiation.
excellent layout and clear layout. organised terms of Poorly
well-organised material organisation and presented.
material. lay out.

Errors in Huge errors in

grammar, grammar,
Generally good
Excellent fluid writing Grammatically punctuation punctuation
use of grammar,
style, virtually free competent but and/or spelling. and/or spelling.
Maturity and punctuation and
from grammatical some repeated Clumsiness of Possible use of Poorly written.
precision of spelling. Ideas
and spelling errors. errors in expression. extensive quoted No structure.
writing, clearly explained.
No obvious referencing or Some attempt at passages. No Limited or no
grammar and Some small
errors/very few in grammar. Some referencing. attempt at references.
style repeated errors
referencing or clumsiness in Sources usually referencing.
in referencing or
grammar. expression. given but not
grammar.
systematically or
consistently.

Authorised: Authorised: FoSS version 1 - Approved by: FAEC November 8 th 2016. Ref: 2 Module Assessment Briefing Form