A Study Exploring Soft Skills in Higher Education

Authors

  • Pauldy Otermans Division of Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom and Otermans Institute, London, United Kingdom
  • Dev Aditya Otermans Institute, London, United Kingdom
  • Monica Pereira Department of Computer Science, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2023vol14no1art1665

Abstract

There is a need for improved skills development within the UK’s Higher Education Institutions (HEI) stemming from the disconnect between the expectations of employers of the skills graduates have and the skills graduates have gained during their degree. It is well-known now that there is a clear skills gap. The present study aims to explore the effect of graduates and students' perception of skills development in HEI in the UK. A total of 420 participants completed an online survey to explore their perception as well as their confidence of skills development by rating each skill on a Likert scale. The paper discusses the results in light of pedagogical strategies developed to teach soft skills in HE. The paper concludes with recommendations for teaching practice. 

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Author Biography

  • Pauldy Otermans , Division of Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom and Otermans Institute, London, United Kingdom

    BSc(Hons), MSc, MSc, PhD, FHEA
    Senior Lecturer (Education) in Psychology

    Deputy Divisional Lead for Psychology

     

     

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Published

2023-06-28

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JOURNAL PAPERS

How to Cite

A Study Exploring Soft Skills in Higher Education. (2023). Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 14(1), 151-168. https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2023vol14no1art1665