SD1S118 - Professional Skills for the 21st Century Public Servant 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SD1S118
Module Title: Professional Skills for the 21st Century Public Servant
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Leadership and Public Services
Faculty Sub Group: Leadership and Public Services
Module Leader: Jennifer Law
Module Team: Daniel Welch, Helen Martin, Hayley Jenkins, Jake Phillips, Anthony Lloyd, Hollie Hosey, Paul Lewis
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100647 - public policy
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

  • Develop students’ understanding of the professional expectations required of public servants 

  • Develop students’ academic and professional skills such as critical thinking, essay writing, public speaking, teamwork, and reflection 

  • Support students to understand and apply public service values 

  • Prepare students for level 5 placement 

Content Summary

  • The requirements, competencies and attributes needed for a career in the field of public and emergency services 

  • Public Service Values 

  • Communication skills – academic and professional (essay writing, report writing, presentation skills) 

  • Working in teams,  

  • Career options and job searching 

  • Public service culture and ethics 

  • Reflection and reflective writing 

  • Identification and evaluation of personal skills – skills audit 

  • Personal development planning 

  • Presenting your skills and abilities – CVs, applications, interviews, assessment centres, LinkedIn profiles, STAR technique, demonstrating evidence of meeting organisational values

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminars 40
Independent Study 88
Directed Study (Including online independent learning) 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate understanding of the professional knowledge, competencies and values for public sector employment
LO2 Assess their own strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for professional development

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 Written reflection on how student’s current experiences meets a relevant framework 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Written Work 1 Submit two different Application forms – a Standard and Competency- based, a CV and Covering letter 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Practical Written Work 1

Reading List

Cottrell S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. London: Palgrave 

Cottrell S. (2021). Skills for Success: Personal Development and Employability. London: Palgrave 

Cottrell S. (2023). Critical Thinking Skills. London: Palgrave 

Biron, C. Burke, R. and Cooper, C. (2014) Creating Healthy Workplaces. Aldershot: Gower Publishing Ltd 

Bolton, G.E.J. and Delderfield, R. (2018) Reflective Practice Writing and Professional Development; London: SAGE 

Thompson, S. and Thompson, N. (2023) The Critically Reflective Practitioner. Bloomsbury.  

Bratton, J.  (2020) Work and Organizational Behaviour (4th edn). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan 

Flynn, N. (2023). Public Sector Management. London: Sage 

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Available at: legislation.gov.uk