Careers, Placements & Employability

From the moment you start at University, we're here to support you on your career path. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to gain valuable work experience, explore exciting placements and take up part-time jobs that fit round your studies.

As you prepare for graduation, we’ve got all the essentials covered. Help with CV writing, one-to-one coaching, employer events, jobs portals and a dedicated recruitment agency.

What’s more, the help doesn’t end when you complete your course. Through our Graduate Hub, you can have access to our Careers service for life.


Placements

Placements are the perfect way to supercharge your skillset, your employability, your confidence and so much more. Best of all – our placements are flexible around you, your life and your needs.

We offer placements for our current students and graduates and a range of exciting experiences abroad.

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Placements

Explore information about placement opportunities for current students and graduates
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International placements

Gain new skills and experiences by working or studying abroad and browse our current opportunities

Self-Employment

You’re one-stop shop of self-employment support, advice and guidance. Whether you currently have a business, looking to start your own soon, or you are interested in finding out more information. This is the place for you.

Be-Inspired

Have an innovative spark, but don’t know where to begin? Turn your big idea into reality with our nine-month programme. Be-Inspired is designed for graduates or placement students who want to set up their own business.

Be-Inspired will guide you through the important elements of setting up your own business. While workshops are subject to change based on feedback, we are currently running the following sessions:

  • Confidence building
  • Market and customer research
  • Sales and pricing strategies
  • Financial literacy
  • Business branding

Funding

Be-Inspired offers £1,500 per person (not per business), which can be used towards your business expenses. This is tax free and a grant, so there is no requirement to pay it back. 

What can I use the grant for?
  • Equipment
  • Software
  • Marketing
  • Networking and conferences

 If the money will help progress your business idea, it is free to use.

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Self-employment advice

Interested in exploring self-employment, but feel you’re not quite ready to jump in with your idea? We can help on a one-to-one basis (individual or group business), face-to-face or digitally. We can support you with the following:

  • Business ideation and refinement
  • Business planning
  • Funding applications
  • Customer interactions
  • Pricing strategies
  • Signposting for further support

If you wish to receive any support, book a meeting or drop-in to the Careers Service for an informal conversation.

Book an appointment

If you're looking to undertake a 12-month placement or are due to graduate and wish to start your own business, please book an appointment with the Be-Inspired team..

Careers, Placements & Employability

In addition to our tailored support, you will continue to have access to our portal until 12 months after graduation. The Careers portal provides you with free access to the following tools: 

  • CV 360 – CV creation and feedback
  • Interview 360 – interview simulator
  • Career self-assessment
  • Advice & guidance
  • Skills Training
  • Job search
  • Career events 

And there’s more. Regardless of how long ago you graduated from University of Staffordshire, we offer other aspects of graduate support for life. Just get in touch and we’ll advise you on the next steps. 

I felt strongly supported by student services, especially in career guidance. The Career Team offered invaluable support, providing many services such as personalised advice on CV writing, placement options, and exploring career opportunities. They often set up workshops, career fairs, and networking events, which has been helpful in connecting with potential employers and offering valuable insights into the industry. They also provide support not only academically but also with the health and wellbeing of students. Students can feel welcomed and empowered.

Jessica Kalatharan

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

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We are here to guide every student and support them through their employability journey.

Jane Pearce

Career Advisor

Part-time work

On-campus work is ideal if you want to earn while you study. You can finish a lecture and arrive for work within minutes.

Fancy becoming a Student Ambassador or a Student Content Creator? Or why not get a job at the Students' Union or on-campus venues or shops? 

We’re also within easy walking distance of the city centre. It’s where you can find lots of retail opportunities and bar work.

Unitemps

Unitemps is University of Staffordshire's own recruitment station. It’s geared to matching students and graduates with jobs.

At the click of a button, you can find job opportunities within the University and externally. We’ve got strong links with businesses across Stoke-on-Trent, North and South Staffordshire.

Perfect for improving your skillset or CV. And you’ll meet new people and earn an income to support your studies and social life too.

Visit Unitemps

Volunteering

Giving your time and skills to help others can also be beneficial for you. It’s a great way to improve your job prospects as you can add to your CV and get practical experience.

There are all sorts of voluntary roles available, including work with charities, schools, hospitals and wildlife groups. Give as much or as little time as you want.

And if you don’t have transport, why not try a virtual volunteering project? We can help put you in touch with voluntary work in North Staffordshire and beyond.

Explore volunteering opportunities
Related documents

Ethical Careers Policy 2023 (PDF, 182.1 KB)

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021