ACADEMIC ASSIGNMENT GUIDE - COHORT 10, 2019 - Realising Opportunities
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ACADEMIC ASSIGNMENT GUIDE COHORT 10, 2019
Contents
2 Section 1
Overview - page 4
Support available - page 5
8 Section 2
Getting started - page 10
Preparing your question - page 12
Format and layout - page 21
24 Section 3
The importance of referencing
your sources - page 26
36 Section 4
Submission - page 38
44 Section 5
Assessment and marking - page 46
52 Section 6
UCAS personal statement - page 54
56 Section 7
Next steps - page 57
Section 1 The Academic Assignment overview - page 4 Support available - page 5
Section 1
The Academic
Assignment overview
The Academic Assignment is a compulsory part of your
participation in the Realising Opportunities (RO) programme. It
allows you to demonstrate your ability to understand, apply and
analyse information - key skills required to be successful at a
research intensive university.
Your Academic Assignment should be in a topic area that interests
you or that you are considering applying for at university. You can
decide which topic you would like to work on and your assignment
title will be developed between yourself and your Academic
Assignment tutor at your first meeting. Your assignment must
be a new piece of work, and cannot be reworked from a piece
of school/college work.
During the Academic Assignment process you will be asked to
choose your own topic because it’s helpful for you to get a sense
of your ability and interest in researching independently – which
means directing your own learning, rather than waiting for others
(for example teachers) to tell you what to do next. You may already
have experience of doing this without realising! Have you ever been
interested in a topic you have learned about at school/college and
decided to look in to that topic further after the lesson ends? –
That’s researching independently! Remember, education is about
knowing where to look for the answers, and developing the skills
to interrogate the information that you find to make conclusions
yourself, based on the evidence available.
4
Section 1
Support available
An Academic Assignment tutor from There is also a wide range of
one of the Realising Opportunities information on Bright Knowledge,
Partner universities will support the www.brightknowledge.org to
development of your assignment and help you with your assignment.
assess your completed piece of work. The following articles and
You will receive tutorial assistance to activities will help you get started:
help you establish your assignment
title and its structure, and your tutor l Get essay writing right
will signpost you to resources.
l Improve your reading skills
You will be contacted by your host l Referencing explained
university to confirm the arrangements
for meeting your tutor. If you have not l Time management and motivation
been contacted by your host university l Top tips for independent learning
by July 2019 please contact the RO
Central Team. In addition to this you will have the
opportunity to ask the RO Central
Completion of the skills4uni Team and staff at the RO Partner
online study skills challenge, universities your Academic Assignment
www.skills4uni.bham.ac.uk, questions via a live online Q&A session
will also support you in preparing (where you will be able to get instant
for your assignment. It will give you support and guidance about the
information on how to select useful Academic Assignment process).
and appropriate resources and how We will contact you with the date
to reference your sources. We strongly and time of this session shortly.
recommended that you work through
the skills4uni challenge before you
meet your tutor.
5
“ “ Take as much as you can from RO, as this is an opportunity that will really help you to become a successful student. Especially the tutoring - that is a massive help, make sure to ask as many questions from them as you can, as they are your ultimate resource! Realising Opportunities student
Section 2 Getting started with the Academic Assignment - page 10 Preparing your Academic Assignment question - page 12 The Academic Assignment format and layout - page 21
Section 2
Getting started with
the Academic Assignment
We know it might feel daunting
starting your assignment and meeting
your Academic Assignment tutor for Tip:
the first time, but don’t worry this guide Look through the rest of
will provide you with advice, guidance this section and complete
and tips to make the process as easy the activity on developing
and stress free as possible. your own question so that
you have notes to take
Preparing to meet your to your first tutorial.
Academic Assignment tutor
Before you meet your tutor for the first
time, we strongly recommend that you:
l Read through and
explore the skills4uni online
study skills challenge at
www.skills4uni.bham.ac.uk.
It will give you information on how
to plan and draft your work, select
useful and appropriate resources
and reference your sources.
l Think about what topics at
school/college interest you. Is there
an interesting topic which you’d like
to explore in more detail? If there
are a few potential topic areas write
them all down and try to rank them.
You can discuss a few topic
options with your Academic
Assignment tutor.
10Section 2
Your first tutorial
Your Academic Assignment tutor will
support you through tutorials either
Remember:
face to face or online. At your first
tutorial you will discuss with your You do not need
tutor your subject interest, your to formulate an
assignment title and how you should assignment title prior
approach the task of researching to your first meeting
your initial ideas. Between tutorials with your tutor, but you
you can keep in touch with your must have an idea of the
Academic Assignment tutor and ask topic or subject area so
questions via the RO student hub at: please give this some
realisingopportunities.co.uk/students thought. Information
about developing your
own question can be
You will communicate with your found in this section and
Academic Assignment tutor through you should complete this
the RO student hub-a secure portal before your first tutorial.
which will record all of your online
communications with your tutor.
One of the learning outcomes is
that you demonstrate your ability to
Your tutor will answer any communicate effectively with your tutor
questions you have related to how in person and via the RO student hub
you communicate and present your and respond positively to feedback.
completed piece of work. Your first
tutorial is also an opportunity for you It is important that you engage with
to discuss any individual requirements your tutor and the draft feedback
or disabilities with your tutor. They will they provide as this will be taken
be able to advise on any additional in to account in your mark for this
support that can be offered. learning outcome (see from page
46 onwards for information about
learning outcomes).
11Section 2
Preparing your Academic
Assignment question
For your RO Academic Assignment, Getting started with
you will write your own question. writing your own question
We know that this is not always
easy, but we ask you to do this Start by considering a subject area
for several reasons: that you would like to focus on for
your Academic Assignment – ideally
l to give you the opportunity this will be a subject area you would
to research a topic you are like to study at university or something
really interested in related to this, for example History
l to get a sense of your ability or Modern History.
l to demonstrate your self-motivation. You will then need to think about what
particular topics in this subject area
This section will help you to get started are you interested in? For example,
with writing your own question. At your World War I.
first meeting your tutor will give you
advice and guidance on your question,
and help you finalise it. Before this
meeting, you should read through Remember:
this section so you have a good idea your piece of work must
of your topic area and a potential not be something you
question to discuss with them. You have already submitted
don’t need to have your question at school or college.
set before you go to this first meeting,
just have a good idea about what
you might like to write about.
12Section 2
Write down your ideas. This could be in the form of a list,
mind map or spider diagram – whatever you prefer.
13Section 2
Getting started with
writing your own Write down your ideas,
question continued... carefully considering how
many words you have.
You will have between 1500-2000
words for your assignment. Is this
realistic for finding out what you want
to know? Should you consider focusing
your topic more? A single idea may
be more effective than lots of different
ones. For example, World War I is a
very large topic area, so you might
want to focus on its causes.
Looking at the topics you have written
down, start to think about what you
would like to find out from writing your
assignment. You don’t need to have
the answer now, but what would you
like to know more about? What would
you like to investigate and analyse?
For example, you might want to
focus on the most significant
cause of World War I.
14Section 2
Getting started with writing your
own question continued...
l What resources do you have available to you to help you
research your topic? For example, your host university’s library,
your school/college library and online resources.
l Consider the learning outcomes we are asking you to
demonstrate with your assignment (in section 5 of this guide).
Do you think that your topic area will allow you to demonstrate these?
l Now start thinking about forming your question and how you might
phrase it. The University of Sussex have some really useful resources
to help you devise your own Academic Assignment title
- www.sussex.ac.uk/skillshub/?id=447
15Section 2
Write down the sources that will allow you to research your
topic. Are they available to you? How will you access them? Your
tutor will also be able to help with information about sources.
16Section 2
Write down how you think your topic may allow you to meet
the learning outcomes. If there are any you are not sure about,
make a note to ask your tutor.
17Section 2
Write down some draft ideas for your question.
18Section 2
Getting started with
Good titles generally pose a
writing your own question or questions, and they
question continued... invite consideration of a number
of different evidence-based
l Is your question clear to you perspectives and arguments.
and your reader? Examples of good titles are:
l Explore the strengths
Tip: and weaknesses of
Mendeleev’s Periodic Table
Avoid using big words and the impact it continues to
because you think they have on chemical science.
sound good!
l How did Rosa Parks influence
the civil rights movement?
l If you have included an explanation
at the start of your question, make l Dreams: what is their purpose
sure it is as clear and concise as and what do they mean for us?
possible. Is it vital to have this
information? Make sure it doesn’t
contain any trivial information. Poor titles are often passive,
do not pose real questions,
l Negative questions can be hard and do not invite consideration
to answer, for example “What of a number of competing
factors were not important in the perspectives. Examples of
start of World War I?” poor titles are:
l Discuss the history of
Mendeleev’s Periodic Table
l The causes and effects
of the civil rights movement
l Discuss the science of dreams
19Section 2
Write down your thoughts on this. Do you think your question
is clear and does it contain only vital information?
20Section 2
The Academic
Assignment format
and layout
It is important that you follow the
guidelines below on how to format
and layout your Academic Assignment,
as this will be taken in to account
in your mark for this learning outcome
(See from page 46 onwards for
information about learning outcomes).
The Academic
Assignment should:
l be in the form of a 1500 - 2000
word document dependent on the
subject you are taking and the piece
of work you produce, 1500 being
the minimum and 2000 words being
the maximum amount permitted
(not including references, diagrams
or tables)
l have all diagrams, images, tables
and graphs clearly labelled and
referenced in the main body of text
21Section 2
All assignments should be:
l a new original piece of work
and not something that has been
used as part of another assignment
l produced on a computer
or word processor
l submitted via the Realising
Opportunities student hub
l in a font size of 11 or 12
and line spacing of 1.5
You should pay
particular attention to:
l your style, spelling and grammar
l ensuring you avoid extensive use
of quotes from other sources. You
should instead explain things in your
own words to demonstrate your
level of knowledge
l ensuring that your final submission
does not have any Word “track
changes” or “comments” left in it
and that it is your final version
l the referencing of sources.
Please see section 3 of this guide
(from page 24) for some information
l including the RO Academic
Assignment cover sheet on
the front of the Academic
Assignment. This can be found
on the discussion tab on the
RO student hub and an outline
of this is available on page 41.
22“ “ From researching and completing my Academic Assignment, it has cemented my chosen course for university. Realising Opportunities student
Section 3 The importance of referencing your sources - page 26
Section 3
The importance of
referencing your sources
When completing your Academic To avoid plagiarism you should
Assignment you will need to reference acknowledge where you have used:
your sources to demonstrate the
difference between your own ideas l another person’s idea, opinion
and those of others. or theory
Universities use computer software l facts, statistics, graphs, drawings
to check whether students have etc. not of your own making
plagiarised the work of others in l quotations or paraphrasing of
their essays. As part of Realising another person’s spoken or
Opportunities we want to highlight written words.
the issue of plagiarism to allow you
to understand the importance of If it is found that you have plagiarised
referencing your work. any part of your essay you must rectify
this prior to final submission. Failure to
do so will result in you not being able
to pass the Academic Assignment.
The information overleaf is from the
article ‘Referencing explained’ on
Bright Knowledge and can be found
via the link below. You should view this
information before making a start on
your assignment.
www.brightknowledge.org/
education/referencing-explained
26Section 3 What is a reference? A reference – sometimes called a citation - is a note which shows the academic sources you have used when writing an essay or other piece of academic work. These sources could be academic books, journals or websites, or sometimes non-academic sources such as TV programmes or films. If you have quoted directly or used ideas found in any source, then you must reference it properly, otherwise you could be accused of plagiarism. There is information on Bright Knowledge to help you understand plagiarism and how to avoid it. https://www.brightknowledge.org/ education/plagiarism-explained 27
Section 3
Section 3
How to choose quality academic sources
You’ll need to engage with a breadth of literature in order
to support your own arguments and evidence your theories
in your Academic Assignment.
Before beginning your academic source search, think about
what type of information you’ll need to look for to support your
assignment. For example, scholarly books and journals are vital for
critical analysis, as they’ll help you to understand debates
and ideas, question your opinion, and shape your arguments.
Once you’ve found some interesting sources to use in your
assignment, it’s important that you evaluate each of them. This
means deciding whether they’re trustworthy, reliable and of
good enough quality for your Academic Assignment.
The University of York have a great online skills guide which takes
you through how to find and evaluate your academic sources -
https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/skills/academic-sources.
How to make a reference
There are two main ways of listing your references – a numeric
system (sometimes called endnotes or footnotes) and in-text
(sometimes called the Harvard system). Check with your Academic
Assignment tutor which referencing style they want you to use, as
completing your references correctly will increase your mark for this
learning outcome. Most students add their references after they’ve
written the rest of the essay, which is the easiest way to do it, but
make sure you note down the details for all the sources you use as
you go along. This will make compiling your reference list easier!
30Section 3 Numeric system In the numeric system you put a number next to the words you want to reference. You then put all the details of your reference in a note at either the bottom of the page (a footnote) or at the end of the essay (an endnote). You won’t have to use both footnotes and endnotes, so you need to know which your tutor expects. If, for example, you found a piece of research in a book called Why Referencing Is Important written by Mark Taylor and Paul Clarke that you use in the body of an essay, then you might write the following sentence: Research has shown that 50% of students do not understand how to write a reference. To reference this, you would first put a number next to the sentence, like this: Research has shown that 50% of students do not understand how to write a reference. (1) The number refers to the endnote or footnote, where you will give the author, title and other details of the research. These details need to be written in a specific style and order, and are slightly different depending on whether you’re referring to a book, journal, website, or something that was broadcast. See how to list your references below. If you’re using endnotes, you need to number every reference in the essay in order and list all the notes at the back. So, if you have 27 references in total you will number them (1) through to (27) and list all the notes at the back. If you’re using footnotes, you need to insert a footnote at the end of each reference and indicate your sources throughout the essay at the bottom of that page. Research has shown that 50% of students do not understand how to reference sources correctly. ¹ ¹ Taylor, M. & Clarke, P. (2011) Why Referencing is Important London: Bright Knowledge, 99-101 31
Section 3
You can use Microsoft Word to help you manage footnotes
and endnotes within your work.
In Microsoft 2013 you can choose the References tab along the
ribbon at the top of your screen and use the Insert Footnote or
Insert Endnote button in the Footnotes box.
When you click either of these buttons, a numerical reference will
appear as superscript which will correspond to a footnote at the
bottom of the page or an endnote at the end of your document.
You can then type your reference/citation against the corresponding
number at the bottom of the page or the end of your work and
your reader will be able to use the numerical references in text
to locate this.
This is a very useful tool as it will automatically respond to any
changes you make to your work, ensuring that the numbers remain
consecutive throughout your work and correspond correctly to
a footnote or endnote.
Tip:
Please be aware that if you delete a number within your
text, the corresponding number at the bottom of your
page/end of your work will also disappear (including any
references you have typed against this number).
32Section 3
In-text system
Author(s). This should be written as
In the in-text system, you put the author’s surname in full, followed
the author and the date of the by their initials e.g. Taylor, M. If a book
research in brackets next to the has more than one author, write their
sentence, instead of a number. names in the order they are written on
A full stop should be used after the book, not alphabetically e.g. Taylor,
the reference. For example: M & Clarke, P.
Research has shown that 50% Year of publication. This is the
of students do not understand date the book was published and
how to write a reference can usually be found on the books
(Taylor, M & Clarke, P. 2011). copyright page.
You would then list all the details in Title. This is the name of the
a list of references at the end of the book you are referencing.
essay. However, rather than write
them out in the order you used them, Publisher. This is the name of the
as with footnotes and endnotes, you company that published the book,
would list them alphabetically by and where they are based.
author. The actual format in which
you write your list of references Page numbers. These are the pages
is normally the same as the in the book where the research you’re
numeric system. referencing is discussed.
How to list your Using the numeric system, your
reference would look like this:
references at the end
of your assignment (1) Taylor, M. & Clarke, P. (2011).
Why Referencing Is Important.
The information you need and the
London: Bright Knowledge 99-101.
order you put it in for your list of
references depends on what type
Using the in-text system, your
of source it is. Books are one of
reference at the end of the
the most common sources, and
assignment would look like this:
you would need to include the
following information in your footnotes
or endnotes. You will be able to find Taylor, M. & Clarke, P. (2011).
most of these details in the publishing Why Referencing Is Important.
history at the front of the book. London: Bright Knowledge 99-101.
33Section 3 Tip: Your Academic Assignment tutor might have a slightly different way of setting out your references. Some prefer bold type or italics for listing titles rather than the example shown. Ask if they have a guide you can use so you know you’re setting them out correctly.
“
“
If possible, aim to complete the academic
assignment at least a month before the
deadline and don’t forget to check
your formatting!
Realising Opportunities studentSection 4 Academic Assignment submission - page 38
University of York/Alex Holland
Section 4
Academic
Assignment submission
Your Academic Assignment tutor will Final Academic Assignment
inform you of both your draft and final
Academic Assignment deadlines, Your final assignment must be
however you may submit your work submitted before the final deadline
early (before the deadline date). set by your Academic Assignment
tutor. You must ensure that your final
Draft Academic Assignment submission does not have any Word
“track changes” or “comments” left
Before submitting the final version in it and that it is definitely your
of your assignment you will be able final version.
to submit a draft, which your Academic
Assignment tutor will look at and How to submit your
provide constructive feedback on. Academic Assignment
You will then have the opportunity to
respond to this feedback and make any You must submit both your draft and
necessary changes and amendments final assignment via the RO student
to your work. It’s important that you hub. If you submit your work late it
submit your draft by the deadline set may result in your work not being
by your tutor, as tutors may be unable marked and a fail mark being awarded.
to provide feedback after the draft
deadline. Missing the opportunity to
receive feedback on your work could
prevent your essay from reaching its
full potential which could affect your
final mark.
38Section 4
Extensions
You must plan your work and time
to meet both the draft and final
submission deadlines. However,
small extensions can be granted in
serious circumstances that will prevent
you from meeting the deadlines. If
you feel that you have a case for
an extension you must inform your
Academic Assignment tutor and your
host university as soon as possible.
You can also contact the RO
Central Team for support on
info@realisingopportunities.ac.uk
or by calling 0191 208 8923.
Please note:
Final extensions may not
be granted if they are
brought to the attention
of your Academic
Assignment tutor and/or
host university after the
deadline has passed.
39Section 4 Academic Assignment results: You will receive your mark and feedback in December 2019.
Section 4 RO cover sheet You must download a copy of the cover sheet from the RO website, complete it, and insert this at the front of your Academic Assignment document. The content of the cover sheet is as follows: Realising Opportunities Academic Assignment Submission Cover Sheet STUDENT NAME: TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT: NAME OF ACADEMIC TUTOR: TUTOR’S UNIVERSITY: WORD COUNT: By submitting this Realising Opportunities Academic Assignment, I agree that the work submitted is entirely my own, is not plagiarised, and is an original piece of work that has not been submitted for any other assessment. I agree that Realising Opportunities may use my work as sample to assist with training for future Academic Tutors. I understand that if my work is used, it will be made anonymous and that only the RO Central Team will know it is mine. YES/NO (please delete as appropriate) 41
“
module as well as the Academic
Assignment as soon as possible, as
“
Make sure to complete the skills4uni
you’ll be getting more busy in Year 13!
Realising Opportunities studentSection 5 Assessment and marking of Academic Assignment - page 46
Section 5
Assessment and
marking of the
Academic Assignment
Your assignment will be marked by
your Academic Assignment tutor Level description
based on learning outcomes in the of progress towards
Assessment Matrix. achieving the level
l You will be given a mark of 5 - Learning outcome fully
between 1 and 5 for each of the met and surpassed
Learning Outcome listed overleaf.
4 - Learning outcome met
l Scores for each learning outcome
will be given in whole numbers only. 3 - Learning outcome
The marks will be added together partially met, but
and divided by 8 to give the overall has left out some
pass mark. important elements
l You need to achieve a 3.5 or 2 - Learning outcome not
above overall to pass the met, but demonstrates
Realising Opportunities some progress
Academic Assignment. 1 - Very little evidence
l Students scoring a 1 for any of the of addressing the
learning outcomes will not be able
to pass the Academic Assignment.
“
Tip:
Refer to page 49 and 50 towards the end of this guide
for the full Assessment Matrix. This matrix will be used
by your Academic Assignment tutor to mark your
work, and indicates how levels are awarded.
46“ “ Ihil illibusa volectias eaquos aut offic tes ipsamus doloritatem. Uria voluptam explis doloritatem. Ecae nullitis et lit magnatum
Section 5
The Academic Assignment
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge 5. Demonstrate ability to access,
and understanding of the topic, research and apply appropriate
avoiding plagiarism. academic sources.
2. Describe subject knowledge 6. Demonstrate accurate
using a clear and logical structure citation and referencing skills.
and in an appropriate academic Transferable skills
style. Intellectual skills
7. Liaises appropriately with tutor in
3. Explore a broad range of person or via the RO database and
appropriate information, integrating responds positively to feedback
material so the assignment flows
8. Demonstrate use of appropriate
in a coherent way (including
ICT skills in presentation using
figures, tables or equations where
the guidance provided, ensuring
appropriate, e.g. for science, maths
assignment is of appropriate
and architecture assignments).
length (1500-2000 words).
4. Select and summarise relevant
arguments and reach appropriate
conclusions in a balanced way.
Practical skills (research skills)
48Realising Opportunities Assessment
Matrix V5 (updated Feb 2019)
Realising Opportunities Assessment Matrix
Learning Outcomes Learning outcome fully Learning outcome met
met and surpassed
Score: 5 Score: 4
1. Demonstrate your knowledge Extensive knowledge and excellent Good knowledge and a clear
and understanding of the topic, understanding of the topic area. understanding of the topic
avoiding plagiarism. Work is original and no evidence area. Work is original and
of plagiarism. no evidence of plagiarism.
2. Describe subject knowledge Very clear and logical structure. Clear and logical structure.
using a clear and logical Written in an appropriate academic Written generally in an appropriate
structure and in an style. Negligible errors in spelling academic style but may have minor
appropriate academic style. or grammar. errors in spelling or grammar.
3. Explore a broad range Uses an extensive range of Uses a good range of appropriate
of appropriate information, appropriate information. information. Integrates material into
integrating material so the Integrates material very well a piece of work which flows in a
assignment flows in a coherent into a piece of work which flows generally coherent way. Some use
way (inc figures, tables or in a very coherent way. Appropriate of figures, tables or equations to
equations where appropriate use of figures, tables or equations illustrate points.
e.g. for science maths and to illustrate points.
architecture assignments)
4. Select and summarise relevant Well balanced coverage of a wide Generally balanced and good
arguments and reach appropriate range of relevant arguments. Very coverage of a range of relevant
conclusions in a balanced way. clear, concise and appropriate arguments. Appropriate
conclusions drawn. conclusions drawn.
5. Demonstrate ability to access, Shows very good ability to access, Shows ability to access, research
research and apply appropriate research and apply appropriate and apply appropriate academic
academic sources. academic sources very well. sources well.
6. Demonstrate accurate Accurately cited and referenced. Generally, accurately cited and
citation and referencing skills. referenced with only minor errors.
7. Liaises appropriately with tutor Liaises proactively and in a Good liaison with tutor. Generally
in person or via the RO database mostly appropriate manner. responds positively to feedback.
and responds positively
to feedback.
8. Demonstrate use of appropriate Excellent presentation including Good presentation including
ICT skills in presentation using the all elements detailedin guidance elements detailed in guidance
guidance provided. Of appropriate provided. Of appropriate length. provided but with minor omissions.
length 1500-2000 words. Of appropriate length.Learning outcome partially Learning outcome not met, but Very little evidence of
met, but has left out some demonstrates some progress addressing learning outcome
important elements
Score: 3 Score: 2 Score: 1
Some knowledge and Some progress, but limited Very little progress in knowledge
understanding of the topic area knowledge and understanding and understanding of the topic
but with important omissions. of the topic. Some evidence area. Clear evidence of
Minor instances of plagiarism. of plagiarism. extensive plagiarism.
Lacks consistent clarity in Some progress, but little clarity Very little progress. Difficult to
structure. Not always written in an in structure. Not written in an understand structure. Written in
appropriate academic style. May appropriate academic style. a non-academic style. Numerous
have errors in spelling or grammar. Errors in spelling or grammar. errors in spelling or grammar.
Uses only a limited range of Some progress, but insufficient use Very little progress. Uses
appropriate information. In places, of appropriate information. Lacks inappropriate information.
material is reasonably integrated convincing integration and overall No integration and coherence.
but the work often lacks a coherent coherence. Few figures, tables or No figures, tables or equation
flow. Some use of figures, tables equation where these would have where these were required by the
or equations but not well used. helped explain key points. discipline or subject matter.
Some balance, but limited Some progress, but insufficient Very little progress. No real
coverage of relevant arguments. coverage of relevant arguments. coverage of relevant arguments.
Some conclusions drawn, Conclusions drawn are No meaningful conclusions.
but not always appropriately. often inappropriate.
Shows limited ability to access, Some progress, but Very little progress. No real
research or apply academic demonstrates little ability evidence of ability to access,
sources, and some sources to access, research or apply research or apply appropriate
may not always be appropriate appropriate academic sources. academic sources.
or academic.
Some serious errors in Some progress, but numerous Very little progress. Citation/
citation/ referencing. and persistent errors in referencing largely absent.
citation/ referencing.
Some liaison with tutor, fulfilling Some progress, but little contact Very little progress. No contact
minimum requirements. Responds with tutor and is unresponsive despite tutor requests. Does
only in part to feedback. to feedback. not engage with assignment
discussions and does not
respond to feedback.
Some demonstration of skills, but Some progress, but little Very little progress. Poor
overall presentation does not meet demonstration of skills and presentation of the assignment
guidance provided. May not be of overall presentation falls well with disregard of guidance.
appropriate length. short of guidance provided. Significantly outside appropriate
Not of appropriate length. length guidelines.“ “ Take advantage of everything that the programme has to offer, as it is definitely a rewarding opportunity and commitment to the programme will get you far! Realising Opportunities student
Section 6 The Academic Assignment and your UCAS personal statement - page 54
Section 6
The Academic
Assignment and your
UCAS personal statement
As your result will not be available to
you until December 2019, if you are
Tip:
applying through UCAS for entry to
university in 2020 you may not be able Give careful consideration
to include that you have successfully to your university and
completed your assignment on your course choices for your
UCAS application. You can, however, UCAS application bearing
refer to the Academic Assignment in in mind you may not
your personal statement as a way to know whether you have
demonstrate your development in successfully passed RO.
the key skill areas below.
By completing the Academic
Assignment, you will develop
skills invaluable for you at
university such as the ability to:
l understand, apply and
analyse information
l research a topic independently
l accurately reference your work.
54“ “ Don’t stress about the academic element, it’s not as hard as you may think; just pick a topic you enjoy! Realising Opportunities student
Section 7 Next steps page - page 57
Section 7: Page
Section 7 67
Next steps
Your host university should be in touch soon to
confirm the details of your Academic Assignment
tutor. In the meantime please ensure you:
are familiar with this guide
have completed the activity in section 2
are working through the skills4uni challenge
57The Realising Opportunities RealisingOpportunities Central Team, Newcastle University, @RealisingOpps King’s Gate, Newcastle upon Tyne, realising_opportunities NE1 7RU 0191 208 8923 info@realisingopportunities.ac.uk www.realisingopportunities.ac.uk
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