Helping students get ahead – Careers, Skills and Graduate Employment

Here at the University of Exeter our Careers Service help prepare students for life and work after University, offering quality assistance and advice throughout their course, and for as long as they need it after Graduation. At our Career Zone, we support students with their career planning, whatever stage they are at. Whether it’s a case of not knowing the sector they are interested in yet or the options that their degree offers them.

At registration each year, every new or continuing student indicates their current level of career planning by picking one of ten statements. The Career Zone then aims to equip students to ‘Decide’, ‘Plan’ and ‘Compete’ for opportunities and follow their chosen graduate career path. Our Careers Zone and Careers Information Desks help with a wide range of enquiries, such as:

  • CV and application form advice.
  • Booking 1:1 appointments.
  • Advice on finding work experience, graduate jobs, or postgraduate study.
  • Guidance for interviews and assessment centres.
  • Helping students decide which of our free workshops and events will be right for them.

The University of Exeter is committed to widen participation in higher education, raise pupil attainment and put students on a level playing field to ensure they enjoy the best possible outcomes at University and as graduates, and as such offer additional support to students from a Widening Participation background.

Access to Internships

This fund helps undergraduate students who meet the Widening Participation (WP) Criteria, to arrange a 4 week (or 140 hour) paid internship with a UK: Micro, SME (an organisation with less than 250 employees) Charity, Statutory Organisation or University of Exeter Academic or Professional Service, by fully subsidising the cost of the internship wages. A bursary may also be available to help with any personal costs on a UK paid internship. All funds are issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. Students can apply for one employer subsidy and one ‘help getting to work’ bursary, if eligible, per year.

Confidential Guidance Appointments

The appointment can be either face to face or via telephone or skype. They are designed to offer personalised one to one advice and guidance and give time to discuss student’s career questions and concerns. They normally last about 30 minutes, but we can offer extra time if needed for complex queries.

Equality & Diversity Employability Support Pages

This includes information around disclosing a disability as well as employer initiatives and opportunities for those from WP backgrounds.

Career Mentor Scheme

The Career Mentor Scheme is a popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6 month period.

The eXepert Scheme

The eXepert scheme is a fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions.

 

Click here information on the careers support offered to students at the University of Exeter

Assessing applications

We know students can feel overwhelmed with the prospect of starting an application to university. In this blog we will highlight the key areas that the University of Exeter focuses on when assessing applications.

We take a number of factors into account when assessing an application. This information is correct at point of publishing (23/09/2020). Current policies can be found on our website at: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applying/assess/

How do we assess an application?

In considering an application, we consider:

  • Achieved academic performance in level 2 and 3 qualifications (GCSEs, A Levels, and their equivalents)
  • Predicted performance in future examinations
  • Personal statement
  • Reference
  • Any additional statement supplied by a school or college regarding any special personal or extenuating circumstances which may impact, or have impacted on an applicant’s studies.

We may also take into account the educational context in which your academic achievements have been gained.  For further information please see the section on School Performance in our Admissions Policy.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for applicants who:

  • Are suited to the course
  • Have the qualifications and qualities to succeed on the programme
  • Are ambitious, conscientious & hardworking
  • Are able to work under pressure
  • Can adjust to the new university environment
  • Show dedication to the course & have researched it
  • Have a genuine interest in the subject
  • AND a desire to learn more…

Do we interview?

The majority of our courses do not require applicants to attend an interview. A key exception to this at the University of Exeter is Medicine, where we invite applicants to Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Your students can find out about the Medicine interview process in the video below:

 

 

Supporting your students’ UCAS research in a virtual world

Applying to University can feel daunting at the best of times particularly during this period when students may feel rushed starting the new term.  For your most proactive students then applications are now open for UCAS, from the 8th of September.

Two of the most important dates to note are:

15th October 2020 deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine.

15th January 2021 deadline for all UCAS undergraduate courses.

There are many different ways to support your students virtually and the benefits of online support are that it is free and accessible for all regardless of location.  Below are a few ways you can signpost your students further and an opportunity for you to attend a CPD conference with other Russell Group universities.

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