Careers Support
Why focus on students from underrepresented groups?
The University is committed to supporting students from all walks of life and embraces diversity within its community. Students from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups often face barriers in accessing Higher education developing their employability and career plans as they transition a) into university and b) into their post-graduation destination.
Certain features of the graduate labour market can disadvantage people from underrepresented backgrounds, so some students find it easier to make the move into graduate level employment than others. We believe that all students should have equal and fair access to opportunities and the chance to thrive in the right career
Which students are from underrepresented groups?
Underrepresented groups include - care leavers, student carers, students with disabilities, estranged students, students from low income households, mature students, students with mental health support needs, BAME students ,asylum seekers and refugees. Visit Widening Participation Support for more information on the wider University support available.
Employability support available for students from underrepresented groups:
Access the Supporting Equality and Diversity webpage for:
- Guidance on disclosing protected characteristics, including disability, during the recruitment process or whilst employed.
- Details on employability support and initiatives in relation to carers, care leavers, criminal convictions, disability, ethnicity, first generation students, gender, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller, lower socio economic background, maturity, military families and sexual orientation.
The appointments can be either face-to-face or online and are designed to offer personalised one-to-one advice and guidance, giving you time to discuss your career questions and concerns. They normally last about 30 minutes, but please let us know if you think you will require extra time and we will do what we can to accommodate this.
To book, you can contact the Career Zone via the Live Chat. Alternatively you can email, phone +44(0)1392 724493 (all campuses), or visit the Career Zone in-person.
For more information about how to get the most out of your appointment visit our Appointments page.
Access to Internships (A2I) is a scheme to help Exeter undergraduates from underrepresented groups arrange a UK paid internship with the support of funding. All funding is issued on a first-come-first-serve basis.
A2I, together with the Career Zone, can help you
- Identify potential internship employers.
- Make an effective approach to request a paid internship.
- Provide generous funding to offset the cost of an internship.
Visit the A2I webpage for further information and to see if you are eligible.
Opportunities for students from underrepresented groups:
upReach is a social mobility charity that partners with the University (and employers) to support students from lower socio-economic backgrounds reach their full potential. Joining upReach you will become an associate, a partner, learner and advocate of the programme. As an associate, you will be able to access bespoke personalised targeted support including insight days, work experience, mentoring, skill sessions and one-to-one support. Find out more and apply to become an associate on the upReach website.
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Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience. Typically a week in duration and covering themes such as sustainability, human rights and digital heritage, you will travel to a location outside of the UK and be immersed in the local environment, presented with real-world challenges and work closely with a diverse range of other students and professionals. View current and upcoming Global Leaders Experiences.
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Professional Pathways is a suite of sector specific training courses and paid 35 hour internships that take place in June. Training is delivered by industry experts, to provide you with a firm grounding in the relevant sector. Following the employer-led training, you will undertake a paid 35 hour internship.
Pathways include: Pathways to Arts, Culture and Heritage; Pathways to Charity and Development: Pathways to Marketing and Pathways to Scientific Laboratories.
Accelerate your confidence with a dedicated mentor. The Career Mentor Scheme is one of the largest and most successful employability schemes in the UK. Since 2008, the scheme has supported thousands of students and graduates to make more informed choices about their careers and boost their confidence. Find out more and apply for a Mentor by visiting the Career Mentor Scheme.
Ask An Alum is a simple and reliable way for you to receive custom careers advice via email from over 700 alumni. No set career plans are needed—just an interest in gaining insights and asking career-related questions. Ask An Alum sits alongside the Career Mentor Scheme and offers a shorter-term alternative which is perfect if you have a few questions you'd like answered.
Read a range of stories from our current students and graduates. They share both their career plans/ideas, and also top tips and advice on how to reach out for help and support and how they’ve enhanced their employability.