Enhancing your students' career path

University is more than just another choice after sixth form; it is a vital path that helps your students develop a wide array of skills and qualities, making them highly attractive to employers.

From learning to live independently and striking a balance between their social life and studies, to the exciting opportunities they have access to – they'll graduate with valuable skills, fully prepared to succeed in the working world.

Opportunities at university

Professional Degrees

Some students opt for professional degrees, such as nursing or architecture, to pursue specific careers. Having a degree is essential for entering these fields and progressing along their desired paths.

Studying at university will give them the opportunity to learn and practise the skills necessary in their chosen profession, so that they can walk into a role with knowledge and confidence after graduation. And crucially, university also offers a safe space for students to make mistakes, learn from them, and perfect their skills before working with real patients or clients.

Placements

Students pursuing professional degrees often have integrated placements as part of their coursework. These placements provide them with real-world skills and experience while being supervised, preparing them for future roles.

Other students in different courses can choose to take a placement year, also known as a sandwich year. Other students in different courses can choose to take a placement year, also known as a sandwich year. Placement years give students practical experience that they can highlight in job applications and interviews after graduation, while also earning a salary. Many students even receive job offers from the companies or organisations where they completed their placements.

University life

Many students decide to join societies, volunteer, or work part-time while studying. Many courses will also have links to industry, with networking opportunities and the ability to work on real-client projects. These activities help them develop social and interpersonal skills, including organisational abilities and professionalism. Such skills and experiences prove valuable as they prepare to enter the workforce after graduation.

University life allows your students to delve deeply into subjects that interest and inspire them, laying the groundwork for a career that excites them – even if they haven't yet determined what that career will be.

Resources for students

Collage of student union activities, including lacrosse

Societies and student union

How to get involved in your Union including the clubs and societies you can join.

Researchers in lab coats with computer and equipment

Placement year degrees

Increase your employment opportunities and strengthen your skills by taking a sandwich year degree with a placement.

Portsmouth: Your time, your place

There are plenty of great reasons to choose Portsmouth for your university adventure – here are some of the best.

Careers support at university

Careers and employability services

Universities typically provide a dedicated careers support team that is available to students throughout their academic journey and even after graduation.

At Portsmouth, students can access the careers service for up to 5 years following graduation. This service is designed designed to help students in various aspects, including job-searching, application-writing, mock interviews and more.

Start-ups

University offers abundant support for students aspiring to start their own business. Whether they're studying BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business or not, students can access various forms of support, such as workshops and information on funding opportunities.

Additionally, students have the option to embark on a self-employed placement year, dedicating their time and energy to building and nurturing their business venture.

Extra reading for students

One student admiring self-employed placements student's startup

Student startup advice

If you've got a passion for entrepreneurship and a great idea for a new business, we can help you get up and running.

Careers adviser showing a student some resources at the front desk of the careers centre

Career essentials

Get started with CVs, applications and interviews, and everything you need to secure a job!

Male student working with laptop at University of Portsmouth

Work experience opportunities

As a Portsmouth student, you'll get lots of work experience opportunities to try out job roles, apply your skills to different sectors and increase your employability.

Students sat on grass and talking in the sun

Boosting your CV before university

Building your CV before joining the uni means you'll start your degree knowing what skills you have, and what you want to do next. Read our tips for enhancing your CV before uni.

Graduate opportunities

If your students are still on the fence about university, or unsure of what careers their favourite subject can lead to, then prospects.ac.uk is a handy resource to see what they could do with their chosen course.

According to UK's Graduate Labour Market Statistics:

University graduates are more likely to be in employment than non-graduates.
On average, university graduates earn £10,000 more a year than non-graduates.

So the data also suggests that there is strong evidence that a degree can enhance your students from an employability perspective. And we're proud to say that 94% of University of Portsmouth graduates in work or further study (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2019/2020).