How does UAS work?
Universities offer UAS to their undergraduates as an optional course module which carries credits that contribute to their degree. Offered in the penultimate or final year of a degree, credits attached to this module currently range from 10 to 40 credits. Although UAS provides a full set of documentation designed to help departments get the module up and running, the module is run by the university department and tutors often choose to adapt the UAS materials to fit their own requirements. After being accepted onto the module and completing an initial day of training each undergraduate is assigned to a placement with a teacher in a local school. They then work closely with the teacher on one day per week for a full semester of roughly 10 weeks, providing teaching and practical assistance and conducting special projects. Throughout this period, the undergraduate is developing vital communication skills and other transferable skills, such as active listening, prioritisation and team working.
The undergraduatesÂ’ work in schools is assessed on the basis of such factors as a portfolio of evidence of their experiences gathered during the term, an end of module presentation and written report and the assessment of the placement teacher. UAS provides university departments with templates and guidance on this and all other aspects of the scheme, which can be easily adapted to meet local needs and academic priorities.