Graduate attributes

'A skilled hand, a cultivated mind'

RMIT's set of generic graduate attributes represents the broad skills that RMIT University expects that graduates will have acquired and be able to demonstrate to an appropriate level, whatever their program of study. They link to employability skills and program learning outcomes. RMIT's graduate attributes are:

Work-ready

Global outlook & competence

Environmentally responsible

Culturally & socially aware

Active & lifelong learners

Innovative

Work-ready

Graduates of RMIT University will have an appropriate level of English language proficiency. They will have participated in learning opportunities to develop the confidence to approach employment with enthusiasm, appropriate knowledge and commitment, and will possess the skills and knowledge to develop the ability to contribute to their community and the development of the industry in which they work.

Examples of how this graduate attribute can be evidenced include:

  • Demonstrate English language proficiency to an appropriate level to perform effectively in the enterprise/industry/community.
  • Use communication and team working skills to promote productive and cohesive relations among employees and to ensure tasks are accomplished effectively.
  • Embrace problem solving, initiative and enterprise skills that contribute to productive and innovative outcomes for the enterprise/industry/community.
  • Apply sound planning and organisational skills that promote and contribute to the strategic planning of their enterprise or organisation.
  • Take responsibility for self-management using skills that contribute to personal and career satisfaction and development.
  • Use technology in a manner that contributes to the effective management and execution of a range of tasks.
  • Acquire skills in understanding and managing the political dimensions of work environments.
  • Apply technology competently and appropriately.

Global outlook and competence

Graduates of RMIT University will have had opportunities to acquire professional and cultural skills that enable them to engage thoughtfully and effectively with the great diversity of people and situations they encounter at work and socially.

Examples of how this graduate attribute can be evidenced include:

  • Undertake an international experience as part of their program of study.
  • Engage with RMIT's international education and industry networks which provide a wide range of opportunities for students to enhance their education or research experience.
  • Complete a program of study that is internationally relevant.
  • Analyse, evaluate and articulate the implications of diversity for their interpersonal and work relations.
  • Confidently employ and adapt their professional expertise in different cross-border legal, political, economic, cultural and social environments.
  • Work in diverse teams to solve complex problems through respectful communication, negotiation and cooperation to effect positive change.

Environmentally responsible

Graduates of RMIT University will have engaged in processes to develop their abilities to recognise environmental and social impacts and to provide leadership on sustainable approaches to complex problems.

Examples of how this graduate attribute can be evidenced include:

  • Recognise the interrelationship between environmental, social and economic sustainability.
  • Appraise and critique context-appropriate sustainability measures.
  • Take responsibility for critical decision-making in ensuring sustainable outcomes.
  • Appropriately apply their environmental and sustainability literacy in a highly diverse range of contexts.

Culturally & socially aware

Graduates of RMIT University will have developed cultural, social and ethical awareness and skills, consistent with a positive role as responsible and engaged members of local, national, international and professional communities.

Examples of how this graduate attribute can be evidenced include:

  • Recognise and respect the role of cultural difference and diversity in work and social contexts.
  • Practise non-discriminatory attitudes in relation to all kinds of difference and diversity, not simply culturally but also those based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, identity and ability.
  • Acknowledge and critically reflect upon personal attitudes, decisions and conduct.
  • Articulate and apply personal ethical actions in professional and vocational situations.
  • Assess and evaluate issues of social justice as they apply in particular discipline, vocational and professional contexts.
  • Analyse and examine issues of social justice and equality with respect to all peoples and individuals.
  • Appraise and critique the potentially powerful social and economic effects of enterprise and business activities on particular groups and individuals.

Active and lifelong learners

Graduates of RMIT University will be active and lifelong learners, capable of increasing their knowledge and skills to match their career needs and to enhance their set of professional and personal life skills and knowledge.

Examples of how this graduate attribute can be evidenced include:

  • Take active, personal responsibility for their learning.
  • Show initiative and self-motivation in relation to their learning.
  • Adapt their learning approach to suit different tasks.
  • Apply critically reflective and active outcomes-focused learning.
  • Acquire and assess information and its relevance to particular tasks and projects.
  • Appropriately extract and apply knowledge and skills in meaningful and transformative ways.
  • Show a commitment to sustained and ongoing personal and career-related learning.
  • Take a benign attitude to error when being creative and innovative, recognising the usefulness of error in opening the possibility for new directions.

Innovative

Graduates of RMIT University will have had the opportunity to develop creative and innovative ways of knowing, thinking and doing, using critically reflective and transformative approaches to generate new ideas, artefacts, products, interpretations or ways of viewing professional projects and tasks.

Examples of how this graduate attribute can be evidenced include:

  • Use imaginative processes to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns or relationships.
  • Embrace, investigate and respect the worth of divergent thinking.
  • Apply an observant mind to all manner of material and non-material matter.
  • Take an open, flexible, playful and persistent approach to designing, developing and realising their work.
  • Apply a sophisticated approach to spatial and aesthetic relationships by exploring the appropriate materials to express and communicate ideas.
  • Be daring in thinking and curious when taking creative and innovative professional risks.