Graduate Business Partnerships (GBPs)

You can follow the Career Zone where the latest GBP roles are shared every Monday

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Cornwall-based students can follow UoE Cornwall.

Finding the Latest Vacancies

You can find the full details of all GBP vacancies on Handshake, by searching for 'GBP' in the jobs section.

If you have not registered on Handshake as a graduate you can use these links to activate your account or register:

• University of Exeter graduate - activate your Exeter Handshake account.
• Other UK University graduate - register for your Handshake account.

You can also sign up to the weekly Graduate Internship Bulletin Email to learn about the latest GBP roles available. This is the best way to stay up-to-date.

Not on Handshake? You can email the team at internships@exeter.ac.uk to request job description and the application form.  Please quote the GBP reference or job title for the role you are interested in.

How to Apply 

• You can download an application form which is attached to every GBP advert on Handshake.
• If you dont have access to Handshake, email internships@exeter.ac.uk with the GBP reference number and the team will send you the full job description and the application form.
• When you have completed your application, you can email this to the Internships Team with the GBP reference number.

Further Guidance and Support

• (Exeter graduates only) You can find resources to help you with application forms and interview preparation on My Career Zone Digital: Career Zone application and interview information.
  
• (Exeter graduates only) If you need support completing your application, you can request an appointment with a Career Zone Advisor by emailing careers@exeter.ac.uk.
• If you have any questions, you can contact the team at internships@exeter.ac.uk
• Please check your online presence to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.

GBP roles are available in a wide range of sectors covering a variety of job roles, including...

• Marketing
• IT
• Software Development
• Data Analytics
• Public Relations
• Technical
• Environment and Sustainability
• Engineering
• Business Strategy and Sales
• Project/event Management
• Finance and Accountancy

As a Graduate Business Partner, you can access extra benefits in addition to those available to you from your employer:

The University of Exeter's Career Mentor Scheme

If you have graduated from another university in the UK, you can still access one of the largest and most successful career mentor schemes in the UK.  You can connect with an experienced professional in your chosen sector for careers advice, sector insights, and an opportunity to build your connections over a 6-month period.  Learn more on the Career Mentor Scheme webpage.

My Career Zone Digital

All GBP's, regardless of where you attended university, can access an extensive range of training and development resources via My Career Zone Digital.  Non-Exeter graduates can contact the team at internships@exeter.ac.uk to gain access. 

The Graduate Network

The Graduate Network was launched in August 2022 and provides quarterly networking and personal development events exclusively for GBP's and their line managers.

Each event will provide you with the opportunity to build local connections and address challenges that are important to graduates.  Each event includes personal development advice from industry experts and a place where you can feel apart of the business community.  Once you start your GBP role, you will automatically be notified of upcoming events.

Most GBP roles are full-time, Mon-Fri 9-5pm. A lot of employers offer flexible working arrangements including hybrid or remote working.  This will be detailed in the job description and something you can discuss at interview.

The duration of GBP roles can vary from 3 months to 23 months. Some roles are offered on a permanent basis and again, this will be detailed in the job description.

You can apply for a GBP role if...

• You have graduated from a UK-based university in the last 3 years
• You are a final year student (check the start dates on the job advert)
• International graduates with a Graduate Visa are welcome to apply.
• All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking a GBP role.

Helpful resources to help you start your career in the UK

• Download the International Students Guide to Working in the UK after you Graduate

• Discover how Simran Harichand from Pakistan landed her first job after university: How I Used My Work Experience to Gain My Graduate Job

If you want to know how you can develop your skills and gain experience, take a look at the employment opportunities on campus and through the University of Exeter's internship and graduate schemes.

Learn More.

Further Guidance and Support

• (Exeter graduates only) You can find resources to help you with application forms and interview preparation on My Career Zone Digital: Career Zone application and interview information.
  
• (Exeter graduates only) If you need support completing your application, you can request an appointment with a Career Zone Advisor by emailing careers@exeter.ac.uk.
• If you have any questions, you can contact the team at internships@exeter.ac.uk
• Please check your online presence to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.

GBP roles offer graduates the chance to gain valuable experience to support career development, with recommended employers who offer a variety of learning and development opportunities. 

What you'll receive as a Graduate Business Partner 

• An induction into the workplace.
• Health & Safety and Data Protection training.
• A Making the Most of your Internship guide.
• On the job training supported by experienced colleagues.
• 1:1 catch-up meetings with your Line Manager, usually once a month.
• Access to My Career Zone Digital - Providing graduate employability online resources.
• Access to the University of Exeter's Career Mentor Scheme - Connecting experienced professionals and graduates via monthly meetings for sector insights, careers advice, and guidance over a six month period. 
• Membership to The Graduate Network - All GBP's and their line managers and invited to quarterly networking and professional development events.

Social Media

• You can join the UoE Internship group on LinkedIn and you can follow the Career Zone on Instagram; @UoECareerZone (Exeter) and @UoECareerZoneCornwall.

Learn about the graduates who have launched their careers using the Graduate Business Partnership by checking out our bank of case studies.  You can search by job type, sector, and employer.

Your feedback is really important to us and helps to shape our service. We want it to be the best!

Eat your heart out!

As your contract comes to an end, the team will send you a survey which takes about 6 minutes to complete.  To thank you for completing it, you can opt in to enter our quarterley prize draw to win a £50 Just Eat voucher. Yum!

Blog all about it

Did you know we have a blog where you can learn about the experience others have had on their internships - check them out here.

If you want to submit a blog, you can contact Jenny Woolacott-Scarr in the Career Zone.

Amanda Searle | Student Employment Support Officer

Amanda has been at the university for 7 years and coordinates the advertising and account management for the Internships Team. Amanda is extremely knowledgeable about all the internship schemes which means she can provide a brilliant service to students, graduates, academics, and employers and is always happy to help with any queries.

Kitty Ashfield | Student Employment Administrator

Kitty joined the Internships Team in February 2023 and is working towards a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship at Exeter College.  Kitty supports the team with advertising, promotional activity, and communications. With a talent for design, Kitty creates engaging content for our social media channels to raise awareness of the employment opportunities available to Exeter's student community.

Olivia Osborne | Internships Assistant

The team wouldn't be complete without our very own intern!  Olivia is a second year Business Management & Marketing student at Exeter and a member of the Business & Finance Society (BFS).  Olivia helps us to provide ongoing support to students during their internships and manages student feedback.  She is also a keen networker in the local area - look out for Olivia's new vlog about the best networking events in Exeter. 'Olivia Recommends' is coming soon...

Andrea Hodges | Employment Schemes Manager

Andrea oversees student employment at the university including internships, graduate recruitment, funding schemes (A2i), and career mentoring. Andrea works with academics, professional services, and external employers to create employment opportunities for all students and graduates.  As an experienced education professional, Andrea is passionate about the ongoing development of the service and is always looking at new initiatives and opportunities to collaborate.

Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn

You can view the terms and conditions that apply to GBPs and their employers by referring to the links below:

• GBPs employed by The University of Exeter.
• Employed by external employers.
• Employed by UoE and seconded to Devon County Council

Any data provided to the University by any party will be processed in accordance with Student Employability and Academic Success (SEAS) Privacy Policy.