Chester Credentials: students as partners in the co-designing of online short courses

11.40am – 12.40pm BST, 3 July 2025 ‐ 1 hour

Workshop

The University of Chester’s Education Plan outlined the concept of Chester Credentials: a suite of nano-credentials (online, non-credit bearing short courses) created by the university as a means of enabling students to showcase digital certificate accolades to prospective employers. Upon completion of the nano-credentials, Chester students are awarded a digital badge in topics including ‘Introduction to Digital Literacy’ and ‘Career Preparation’.

Chester Credentials’ distinctiveness stems from its innovative approach of having students as partners in the co-designing, road testing and marketing of the nano-credentials, including:

• Student Council and the wider student body participating in concept-testing surveys.
• A student being paid to function as a consultant for the Chester Credentials Working Group, collaborating with academics and professional services staff.
• Students being paid to function as beta testers and road test the final suite of nano-credentials.

In this workshop, a University of Chester student and professional services colleagues discuss aspects of this pilot project, including:

• Approaches to incorporating students as partners in the co-designing and road-testing of projects.
• How nano-credentials can be used as a vehicle to develop students’ academic and employability skills.
• Ethical aspects surrounding students as partners (including payment for services rendered).