Careers and employability
Our accreditations, partnerships and employer connections will boost your employability and support your career aspirations.
Accreditation and partnerships
Our teaching has been recognised by leading professional bodies, helping you achieve professional status faster and take advantage of partnership benefits. Find out more about our undergraduate accreditations and postgraduate accreditations.
Employer connections
Benefit from our close links with a wealth of organisations – from local start-ups and social charities to global conglomerates and government agencies.
Opportunities can include:
- guest speakers with years of experience in their field
- competitions to solve a real-world business issue, where the winner gets an insight into how their idea works in reality
- employers enriching the classroom experience
- a placement or internship
- mentoring from a like-minded employer
- the StartUp Sussex programme where you benefit from workshops from consultants in the Sussex Innovation Centre, guidance on developing business ideas, and the chance to win StartUp funding
- our alumni, who thrive in a variety of careers.
Mentors Scheme
The University of Sussex Business Mentors Scheme links students with volunteer business mentors. It is designed to provide our students with professional and personal development, inspiration and encouragement through a supportive mentoring relationship. The aim of this scheme is to enable the mentee to develop their own skills and capabilities to tackle problem solving more effectively. Read more about the scheme here.
Placements
All our undergraduate and some of our postgraduate courses give you the opportunity to apply for a year in industry, where you can put your knowledge into practice. You'll gain first-hand experience of the world of work and understanding of how an organisation works, whilst consolidating and applying your academic learning.
Venture Creation Year
If you want to develop your entrepreneurial skills and explore business or social enterprise start-up, Business School undergraduates can apply to take a Venture Creation Year. An alternative to a paid placement year in industry, the Venture Creation Year enables you to explore self-employment and business creation. You’ll be expected to set up and run your own startup or social enterprise, developing practical skills and experience in the process.
During the year you’ll have the support of the University, with access to one-to-one coaching, specialist workshops, networking and mentor access, funding competitions and online resources. You’ll work on your idea independently, but with regular contact from a Business School tutor and the University’s Careers and Entrepreneurship team.
If you are unsuccessful in securing a Venture Creation Year, you can consider a standard placement year with an employer, or continue to develop your idea with support from the Careers and Entrepreneurship team.