Employability Schemes
Internship schemes
The University of Exeter's employability schemes aim to close the gap between education and industry and enhance the employability of students. There are different schemes available that can help your business to grow future skills and create a talent pipeline.
Our schemes include...
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Internships - paid employment for current students
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Funded employability programmes to benefit students and employers
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Graduate recruitment
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Career Mentoring
The university's Career Mentor Scheme was launched 15 years ago and has grown to become one of the largest and most successful employability schemes in the UK. In 2023, the scheme was a finalist in the Exeter Living Awards education category.
Mentoring is a rewarding practise where you can share your experience and expertise to benefit a student or recent graduate. Perhaps you were once in their shoes? You don't need to have attended university to become a mentor but you must have at least 3 years of industry experience and a passion for what you do.
Our mentors are made up of working and retired professionals and Exeter alumni who are based locally and all over the world.
University of Exeter Internship Schemes:
The university offers a choice of internship and graduate schemes to suit your business needs:
Southwest businesses are supported to recruit graduates who have qualified in the last 3 years through the Graduate Business Partnership Scheme. The Internships Team will advertise and promote your opportunity using dedicated recruitment sites, social media and direct mail campaigns.
With the support of the Internships Team you can:
- Connect with final year students and recent graduates from all UK universities by offering early career employment opportunities
- Offer a challenging role that will support your business by bringing in fresh ideas
- Raise awareness of your brand to the workforce of the future
The Graduate Business Partnership includes many benefits to encourage graduates to stay or relocate to the southwest to start their careers.
Local businesses can recruit current students into challenging part-time roles through the Student Business Partnership Scheme. The Interships Team will advertise and promote your opportunity to Exeter students through a managed application process free of charge.
With the support of the Internships Team you can:
- Connect with university students by offering paid employment opportunities
- Offer a challenging role that will support your business and help you to get on top of projects and tasks
- Provide an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in a professional role alongside their studies or as a first job.
- Raise awareness of your brand to the workforce of the future
Internships provide a valuable experience that connects talented students with employers for mutual benefit.
This is a dedicated service for University of Exeter Academics and Managers, to recruit current students into part-time roles and summer internships.
Green Consultants offers employers the opportunity to work with inspired University of Exeter students, keen to start their careers in the environmental and sustainability sector. This industry-recognised, award-winning training programme prepares our students for the workplace through a combination experiential learning alongside knowledge application on real business projects for the University.
The University of Exeter’s Access to Internships Scheme (A2i) is a pioneering initiative that supports employers by offsetting the cost of hiring an Exeter student in a paid internship role.
A2i schemes include 'Southwest Funded Internships' and funding for Widening Participation (WP) students who are supported to arrange an internship in the UK and secure their first step onto the career ladder with the support of a dedicated Careers Consultant.
The A2i team are currently taking registrations of interest from employers in the southwest who would like to recruit an Exeter student with funding support.
The Professional Pathways programme offers sector-specific, extra curricular student training working with local businesses, charities and entrepreneurs. After students have completed their training, employers are supported to offer a 35 hour, fully-funded internship opportunity. Professional Pathways funded internships take place in June time each year.
Placements are designed to meet the module requirements of the students degree. They are structured to fit the evidence required and employers will be asked to provide evidence that supports the work that has been completed.
Internships are extracurricular and are an opportunity for students to undertake paid work that may not be related to their studies, but will allow them to gain valuable employability skills to help them gain future employment. For example, a student studying psychology may want to undertake a digital marketing internship so they can develop extra skills and experience alongside their course. An accountancy student may undertake a data analytics role to compliment their skillset and add useful experience to their CV.
The Student Employability Management Team
Steve Wallers | Employer Engagement and Student Employment Manager
s.wallers@exeter.ac.uk
Andrea Hodges | Employment Schemes Manager
a.hodges3@exeter.ac.uk
Natalie Luscombe | Employer Events Manager
n.l.luscombe@exeter.ac.uk
Carly Ainsworth | Employment Engagement and Student Employment Officer
c.j.ainsworth@exeter.ac.uk