PDP - Student FAQs
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is PDP?
In the context of higher education PDP is designed to devolve to students a share of
the responsibility for identifying their own learning requirements, strengths and
weaknesses, setting targets and objectives, and devising plans of action to ensure
these targets are achieved. It is hoped that this process will assist you as you make the
transition to becoming independent lifelong learners and will better equip you to deal
with the exigencies of higher degrees and employment. To put this in the verbiage of
the QAAHE Policy Statement (2000 Para 11) PDP is ‘a structured and supported
process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance
and / or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career
development’.
Why is the University doing this?
From the commencement of the 2005/06 Academic Year it is a statutory requirement
that Universities offer a Progress File/PDP process for their students. The original
impetus for the project came from the Dearing Report of 1997.
What is the difference between PDP, PDR and Progress Files?
Progress Files are comprised of three parts. First, Personal Development Planning
(PDP), which enables students to monitor, build and reflect on their personal
development. Second, Personal Development Review (PDR) which helps you to keep
track of your achievements. The final element is an Academic Transcript, which
contains details of the marks awarded for the modules you have undertaken.
Do I have to participate in PDP?
No. While all students are entitled to PDP it is not compulsory. You will not be
breaking any University or Departmental regulations by not participating in PDP.
However, for the reasons outlined later in this document and in the introductory
sessions on PDP, we strongly urge all students to participate in the process.
I’m a Post Graduate Research Student, does this apply to me?
Yes. Post Graduate research students will have an opportunity through their
programme of study and the Post Graduate Training Scheme. The Graduate School is
involved with integrating PDP into the PGTS and has responsibility for specific
support and guidance for research students.
I am a joint student, which department do I do my PDP in?
Your Personal Development Planning should take place in your lead department.
I missed the briefing sessions on PDP what should I do?
If you missed the introductory sessions on PDP and wish to participate in the process
you should contact your Personal Supervisor as soon as possible. As a first step you
may wish to download the Departmental PDP template which is available from our
website at http://www.hull.ac.uk/pas/PDP.htm.
Does PDP count towards my marks?
No. In the Politics Department your PDP is not formally assessed. That is to say, your
final degree classification will depend on the marks obtained in the modules you
study.
My friend is in Department ‘X’. Their PDP process and the answers to some of
these questions are completely different. Should I worry?
No. There is no standard model for PDP across the University or across the Higher
Education Sector more generally. Indeed in some Universities it may not even be
called PDP. The rationale for this is to enable individual Departments to tailor PDP
more closely to the needs of their own students.
PDP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS - HOW WILL IT WORK?
This should be read in conjunction with the Departmental PDP template which is
available online at http://www.hull.ac.uk/pas/PDP.htm. This contains more details
about the skills you may wish to develop, the contents of a PDP/PDR document, your
won responsibilities and those of the University and the Department.
In the Department of Politics we envisage PDP as a four stage process as per the
diagram below.
Week 1-2 You will receive an e-mail containing a link to the PDP
template.
Weeks 2-4. Complete PDP document and e-mail it back to your
Personal Supervisor by end of Week 4. Negotiate a time for a
Supervisory meeting
Week 5/6 - Meet with Personal Supervisor to discuss PDP
document.
Weeks 5-6 and after - execute PDP and seek further guidance and
meetings with the Personal Supervisor as necessary
Each semester in Week 1 or 2 you will receive by e-mail a link to the Departmental
PDP Template and some further instructions on the PDP process. You should
complete the PDP template and e-mail it back to your personal supervisor by the end
of Week 4. At this point it will be necessary for you to negotiate a time when you can
meet with your supervisor to discuss the document. We envisage these meetings
taking place in Week 5 or 6. These meetings will provide an opportunity for you to
solicit guidance and advice about how to execute your PDP and for the supervisor to
give you some initial feedback. Following this meeting you will then be responsible
for completing the PDP you have agreed. Remember that, within reason, you are
entitled to further supervisory meetings to discuss your progress and to seek
additional advice.
Please note that this is not a rigid framework but merely the way we envisage PDP
operating in most cases. For instance you do not need to wait until Week 5-6 to see
your supervisor. You may well wish to discuss PDP with them before you complete
your PDP Template. Similarly, if you e-mail your PDP Template back much earlier
you do not need to wait until Week 5-6 for a supervisory meeting. In essence, we are
asking you to apply some common sense. Remember this is personal development
planning - it is your process, you drive it, you are responsible for making it work.
What are my responsibilities?
Progress Files are about your academic and personal development and therefore
belong to you. You are responsible for:
 Maintaining and developing your academic, personal and professional
knowledge and skills
 Attending meetings with your Personal Supervisor plus any additional
meetings you may be either asked to attend or you wish to have as a result of
your individual circumstances
 Complying with the Department’s attendance and coursework submission
requirements
 Keeping your PDF updated and being adequately prepared for appraisal
meetings with your Personal Supervisor
 Carrying out independent study and learning
What do I do if I don’t know who my Personal Supervisor is?
A list of Personal Supervisors and supervisees is available from the Departmental
notice boards and from the PDP section of the Department’s website
(http://www.hull.ac.uk/pas/PDP.htm). This also lists the contact details and office
hours for Personal Supervisors.
What are SMART objectives?
PDF objectives must be SMART. The SMART methodology ensures that your
objectives are meaningful and can succeed.
SMART objectives are:
Specific - be clear and precise about what you want to achieve
Measurable - how will you know if you have met your objective?
Attainable - can you realistically achieve the objective?
Realistic - can you find the means to achieve the objective?
Time bound - set yourself a deadline by which you will have achieved your objective.
Can I set longer term objectives?
Of course. Although we are implementing PDP on a Semester by Semester basis there
is nothing to stop you from setting long term objectives that run over several years.
Indeed it might be beneficial to think about your long term objectives and think about
how PDP can help you make the incremental improvements you need to get there.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PDP?
There are many who argue that undertaking PDP is intrinsically beneficial. You will
achieve far more if you are able to critically reflect on your strengths and weaknesses
and develop an action plan accordingly, rather than letting your personal development
just ‘happen’ in an unstructured way. If you are still not convinced some other points
to bear in mind are:
Academic Benefits

PDP will enable you to become a more effective independent learner with
increased ownership of your own learning process.
Better marks. By identifying and overcoming your own weaknesses you
should be able to improve your marks and obtain the degree classification you
want. For example, do you simply stuff essay feedback forms in your file or
down the back of a chair? The feedback should identify areas for improvement
- act on them and your marks will improve.

Employment Related Benefits
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Increasingly employers expect their employees to be able to take control
of their own personal and professional development and may require
some understanding of the PDP process. For instance the BBC expect all of
their trainees to:
‘Follow a structured personal development plan with clearly defined learning
objectives and regular appraisals’
(Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/gettingintobbc/index.shtml)
Interestingly the BBC also claims that ‘our trainees are the benchmark for the
industry’. In other words, this is something that all employers in this field are
likely to expect. Vodafone is slightly less explicit but note the emphasis on
taking ownership of your own learning:
‘We’ll always encourage you to take ownership of your learning…….. Everyone
at Vodafone gets a regular individual performance review. They’re there to
ensure that you keep setting goals for yourself and get feedback on your
progress.’
Source: (http://217.204.23.54/VodafoneGeneralContent.asp?PageId=310)
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Employers want more than a degree. Today’s graduate market place is
highly competitive. As a consequence employers can afford to be very
selective. Having a degree is a necessary but not sufficient condition for most
jobs. Recruiters are searching for employees who can exhibit a wide range of
‘competencies’ and skills. Moreover, we may be entering a time when
employers wish to see PDPs as part of their recruitment process. They will
want proof that you can manage your own personal development before they
employ you. A PDP can also be a useful source of examples and information
on which to draw when filling in application forms. Many employers have
‘competency based’ application forms which require you demonstrate the
sorts of skills and characteristics which they expect their employees to exhibit.
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PDP might help you choose the right career. Many students come to
University (and leave University!!) without any clear idea as to their future
career path. PDP can help you to choose a career that relates to the skills you
have or are developing.
Where can I get help?
Your first point of contact in the PDP process is your personal supervisor. However,
there are many other sources of support around the University and outside the
University which can assist with your personal development. The following list is
indicative but not exhaustive:
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Study Advice Services (http://www.studyadvice.hull.ac.uk/). The Study
Advice Services team are located in the Brynmor Jones Library and can assist
with a whole range of study related problems from how to write the perfect
essay to taking notes in lectures. Highly recommended.
Careers and Appointments Service
(http://www.hull.ac.uk/05/departments/iss/career/index.html). The Careers and
Appointments Service can be found on the top floor of the Students’ Union
building. As well as providing a comprehensive careers library they also have
subject specialist advisors to assist you in making career choices and guiding
you through the application process. We would strongly recommend that all
final year students make an appointment with a careers advisor early in
their final year.
Computer Centre. For those seeking to hone their IT skills the Computer
Centre is the place to start. Their courses are designed for everyone from the
absolute beginner to the technical wizard.
The Language Institute.
(http://www.hull.ac.uk/05/departments/arts/lang/index.html). The starting
point for those seeking to brush up their language skills.
Students’ Union. Please remember that you can enhance your skills through
participation in the many clubs and societies offered by the Students’
Union……and you can always reflect on your experiences in the bar
afterwards.
Graduate School. The Graduate School is responsible for integrating PDP
into the Postgraduate Training Scheme. Postgraduate research students should
contact the Graduate School about PDP matters.
Part time and voluntary work. Part time and voluntary work forms an
invaluable part of PDP as you will be developing many skills through these
activities. Make the best of them by grasping the opportunities they offer.