Graduate successHow Bedfordshire prepares you for work

”Employability is morethan just employment. It is about helping theUniversity’s graduatesprepare themselves fortheir future careers –wherever that may be.”

Maria MeehanHead of Careers andEmployment Service

”I studied for a degree inPR which put me ingood stead for workingin the industry. Thecourse was really well-balanced, mixing theorywith a large number ofpractical elements.”

Andy CockburnPublic Relations graduate

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Focus on employability

A degree from the University of Bedfordshire is aninvestment for life. We are fully aware of the challengingeconomic environment our graduates are entering, andensuring that you secure that coveted career is one of ourcore values. We take pride in our commitment to studentemployability and to ensuring you develop the knowledge,skills and confidence which will enable you to take yourrightful place in the world of work.

The graduate labour market has always been fiercely competitive and is evenmore so in the current climate of economic uncertainty. We recognise thatjobs are changing and employers are increasingly concerned about the rangeof skills and qualities that fresh graduates are able to provide.

Our vision is to deliver graduates who are ’eminently employable, capable ofworking with and learning from others, of adding significantly to their localcommunity and prepared for life in an ever changing environment’ – and thehighly commended quality of teaching and cutting-edge facilities we providereflect this.

And our commitment pays off. Despite the economic downturn, ourgraduates have gone on to find great success with 90 per cent either inwork and/or further study within six months of graduation (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2011).

The University of Bedfordshire really does make sure that you graduate withflying colours and that you are ready to take on any challenge that may comeyour way.

Maria MeehanHead of Careers and Employment Service

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“Whatever your subject, we provide high-quality teaching inmodern, industry standard facilities; outstanding studentsupport during your studies and after you graduate; andconcentrate on building links with the local communityand UK businesses, as well as on organising a range ofcareer-focused activities which will not only enhance yourlearning experience but also your CV.”

Maria MeehanHead of Careers and Employment Service

“The University’s own TV studio isexactly the same as the BBC’s. Themonitors, the sound, lighting andvision-mixing sections are allidentical. So my career advice would just be: ‘Go to UoB!’ ”

Gemma HuntTV Presenter for CBBC

BA (Hons) Media Performance graduate

“The course was very well roundedand the hands-on, practicalexperience that I have gained as partof my studies was pivotal in gettingthis job.”

Tom Wiggins-WilsonCredit Risk Operations Analyst for Morgan Stanley

BA (Hons) Business Management graduate

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Employment and business focus

We have industry links with many professionalorganisations, including some of the major recruiters athome and abroad. We work with names such as TUI, theBBC and Channel 4, to ensure that our courses andteaching methods are in tune with their requirements.Our degrees have a high level of involvement from prospective employers andprofessional bodies – whether to provide accreditation (the main route of entry intosome professions), a skills framework or work experience opportunities, or simply to offer our students first-hand industry advice.

Professional accreditations include:

• Qualified Teacher Status

• The Institute of Biomedical Science

• The British Psychological Society

• The General Social Care Council

• The Association of Business Schools

• The Association of Chartered CertifiedAccountants

• The National Youth Agency

• Practice placements in the localcommunity, schools and hospitals

• Sandwich years

• Assessment centres experience and industry days

• Consultancy projects for real employersincluding CirKle PR and Kaizo

• Masterclasses and guest lecturesfrom industry professionals

And that’s not all. Because employers look for evidence of skills and attributes,we offer plenty of opportunities to put theory into action so as a graduate you willalready have experience in your chosen industry:

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“The pool of students we have beenable to access from the Universityhas been world class. We havethree students who have joined thecompany so far. I am looking torecruit a web designer, and we feelthe best person we will get will besomeone from the University.”

Daniel BasdenGeneral Manager, Windowparts Ltd

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>>Employment and business focus

The industry relevance 5

Because employers look for concrete evidence of skills andattributes, we provide you with plenty of opportunities toput theory into practice throughout your time at University.Plus, with the new ‘Bedfordshire Edge Award’ you will beable to show off any extra-curricular activities you havebeen doing to raise your employability.

• Dedicated employability advisers foreach academic department

• Employability Fellows who ensurethat career-focused activities andstudy units are integrated into yourteaching and learning in each subjectarea

• Access to a wealth of careersinformation and resources online

• ‘JobSavviGrad’ – our onlineopportunity search engine andapplication management system –which you can use throughout yourtime at University and after yougraduate

• Help with securing graduateinternships, part-time jobs andvolunteering opportunities

• Employment-related events,competitions and careers fairs

• Different awards which show offyour skills and ‘stand-out values’when competing for jobs – includingthe ‘Bedfordshire Edge Award’

• Chamber Futures – a newmembership scheme giving studentsand graduates access to training andnetworking opportunities

Plus unlimited careers adviceafter you graduate.

Our careers and employment service provides a number of opportunitiesand services to help you succeed in the workplace:

“During the course you have your chance to honeyour skills and develop a style of production. Whatthe course brings to you is the desire to impress anda craving to outshine others. In all honesty, the threeyears at the University were the best of my life andplayed a massive part in shaping me as a person.”

Chris ButcherBA (Hons) Animation GraduateWinner of Red Bull’s Cananimation competition 2011

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Subject-specific activities6

Active employability advisers in each department are taskedwith providing career-focused activities that bring a strongpractical element to the teaching and learning. All activitiesare aimed at giving students professional skills that will makethem more attractive to employers.

Psychology and Applied Social StudiesAssessment Centre Simulation These half-day sessions are run for non-professional social sciences and psychology students. Our Careers andEmployment Centre works in partnership with employers to provide advice andguidance to students on interview techniques, problem solving skills andpresentation.

Media, Arts production, Journalism and CommunicationsThe Professional Leadership Academy allows students to gain professional skillsand experience to help them build their employability skills. Students can getinvolved in various initiatives including Radio Lab, TV Lab, film festivals, musicevents, reading performances, journalism and more.

Computer Science and TechnologyIdentification and Application of Tangible Employability Assets This projectworks with computing students to identify their transferable skills like projectmanagement, report writing and presentation to make them even moreemployable graduates.

Students are put through their paces at a mockassessment centre.

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>>Development beyond the curriculum

More stuff to put on your CV 7

Students are put throughtheir paces at a mockassessment centre.

Tourism, Leisure and Sport ManagementThe Tourism Employability Day is packed with workshops and presentations forstudents, including preparation for work placements, writing the perfect CV andcareer options upon graduation. They also gain valuable insight from guestspeakers from industry.

Physical Education and Sports StudiesPreparation for Work in Sport, Leisure, Adventure and Recreation This courselooks at ways in which course units can be developed to create more employablegraduates.

EducationThe Teaching Fair is the University's premier event for students seeking their firstteaching job. Exhibitors include local authorities, teaching agencies and unions.Students can gain professional advice, meet potential employers and and accessmany jobs.

LawThe School of Law Annual Mooting Competition allows students to developpractical skills. The winning team goes forward to participate in national mootingcompetitions ad the best mooter is offered up to three weeks work placementwithin a local solicitors' firm.

BusinessWe give students the chance to impress employers through the Flux Nationalcompetition and run the free B-innovative programme which helps developentrepreneurial skills. The B-innovative Business Concept and Plan competitionsupports entrants in developing their business plans for those with a great idea fora business.

Industry experts – including leading figures from the BBC and theNHS – were drafted in to help shape students’ careers.

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www.beds.ac.uk February 2013

Find out more graduate success stories at:

www.beds.ac.uk/alumni/wherenow

For further information please visit:

careers.beds.ac.ukor else contact the Careers and Employment Service at:

+44 (0)1582 489293

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