Award for Coventry University postgraduate students’ professional development project

Coventry University has won a national award for a project to improve postgraduate students’ professional development and employability.

The university scooped the Outstanding Innovation and Delivery honour at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) HE Awards.

The award recognised the creativity and success of a pilot scheme designed by Patricia Rogers, which saw more than 1,000 postgraduate students take a CMI-accredited global professional development module as part of their courses.

The compulsory module has been included on more than 25 per cent of  master’s degrees across a range of subjects. 

It teaches leadership, management, creativity and strategy skills, aiming to give students extra preparation for life in the workplace. 

The award recognised the module’s focus on sessions which featured staff and students from a mix of different disciplines.
This had been prompted by employers telling university staff that postgraduates needed more experience of working with other people who were not in their own field.

Postgraduate students who complete the module receive a CMI certificate in strategic leadership and award in professional consultancy, both at level 7.

The Chartered Management Institute HE Awards were created to celebrate the 120 UK and international universities and business schools that partner with CMI, as well as their students. 

The categories were judged by a panel of senior business leaders and management academics, with Derby University and Queen’s University Belfast shortlisted for the award alongside Coventry.

Patricia Rogers, from the  Faculty of Business and Law, developed the module while on secondment to its Postgraduate Strategy Unit and worked with a team of academics to deliver the course.

She was presented with the award by Steve Dalton, managing director of Sony UK at a ceremony this month. 

Patricia said:

“I’m really pleased that we have been recognised for our creativity on this project.
“The module is all about giving our graduates the edge over others and preparing them for employment in an increasingly competitive world.”

Ian Myson, CMI’s director of HE partnerships, said: 

“As higher education’s focus grows on boosting student employability our awards celebrate the universities and business schools that are making the most impact on the next generation of managers and leaders. 
“I congratulate Coventry University on making great progress working with employers and professional bodies giving students work ready skills”