Careers and
employability

You may have already decided what you want to do in the future, or you may still need to work that out. Wherever you are in your career path, you’ll find support and guidance throughout your time with us. Work experience, placements, CV and job search advice, workshops and events - there’s plenty of help at hand.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story. We’re here to help prepare you for life after university. We’ll tailor your talents and help you build the tools that will set you apart when you are ready to look for your first graduate role.

Our staff have valuable and varied experiences in the workplace and beyond. And we have great links to industry. This means you’ll have opportunities to apply your learning. You’ll find work experience that’s directly relevant to your studies, including placements and real projects set by businesses.

Our promise

We promise to provide an inclusive approach; supporting, advising and guiding you on your employability journey to success. We will listen to your needs and signpost opportunities for you to engage with up to three years after graduation.

Top5for employabilityUni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
78%of UK graduates agreed their current activity fits in with their future plansHESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21
71%of UK graduates agreed they were utilising what they had learnt during their studiesHESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21
87%of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningfulHESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21
77.1%of UK graduates are in graduate-level employment or study 15 months after graduatingGraduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 - Guardian League Table Methodology
96%of UK graduates are in employment or further studyHESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21

Supporting you: online and in person

We are here to help you every step of the way. Let our Careers and Employment team tell you what you've got to look forward to as a University of Derby student.

Two people in discussion at a laptop

View Careers and Employment Service video transcript

Chloe Twigg

Taking it step by step

Chloe Twigg was able to build up her work experience. She started small to help get her foot in the door before taking up a placement year with clothing firm BCI. She's now a designer at Motodirect.

Read Chloe's storyRead Chloe's story

Applying your skills

We are an applied university. This means we focus on giving you the skills you’ll need after you graduate. And we use our strong industry links to give you the best possible work experience and work placements. These are an important part of your education, whether you are a fine artist, a fashion designer, a computer animator or an engineer. You get to turn your learning into practice.

And our Careers and Employment Service will support you on your journey towards your future career. No matter what course you’ve chosen or what your previous experience is, we will provide tailored support, with access to services and programmes to help you reach your career goal.

Getting you ready for the world of work

Virtual Open Day - Careers and Employment

View Virtual Open Day - Careers and Employment video transcript

Our careers consultants are on hand for one-to-one appointments where you can discuss potential career ideas, what you are suited to and what you are passionate about, to begin to give your career journey some focus.

Come to one of our many careers fairs. Some are specific to your course while others - like our annual Careers Fair and our Volunteering Fair - are diary dates for all students. These events are your chance to talk with employers about their industry and your future employment potential - including work experience.

And our support continues after you graduate - for three more years. Our Careers and Employment Service will continue to support and guide you with one-to-one appointments with employment advisers, career planning, CV tailoring and preparing for interviews. It's one of the exclusive alumni benefits to help you in your career.

A student talks to an adviser
Undergraduate opportunities

Our degrees are designed to help you along your career path - and there are opportunities inside and outside your course that will help you stand out in the market place.

postgraduate students
Postgraduate opportunities

A postgraduate degree from us can help you stand out from the crowd to land that dream job or give you the extra knowledge you need to take the next big step in your career.

giving out employability advice
Employer opportunities

How could our students and graduates help you? Our focus on applied learning means our students and graduates are experienced at using their knowledge to solve real business issues.

Five students wearing graduation robes throwing their hats in the air

Support after graduation

As a University of Derby graduate, you will have access to three years of continued support from the Careers and Employment Service following your course. This includes tailored advice and guidance, one to one appointments, invitations to careers events and access to online resources.

Find out moreFind out more

Working with partners

You benefit from our partnerships with businesses, organisations and other educational institutions. We share our knowledge and our talent - giving you opportunities to develop your network and your career.

This comes under the umbrella of knowledge exchange (KE) and how well we do this is rated by the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). In the latest data published by KEF in 2021, we are in the top 10% of universities for working with businesses. Our links with businesses provide opportunities for your internships and placements.

The Careers and Employment Service is managed and operated by the University of Derby and is not part of any combined careers service.

Accredited service

We are accredited to the matrix Standard, the Department for Education's measure of high-quality information, advice and guidance. This accreditation reflects our commitment to your longer term career and life ambitions, rather than just finding you a job. Advice and support go beyond job hunting to include volunteering and enterprise, and continue after you have graduated.

Students and graduates at a careers event

Careers and Employment Service for current students and recent graduates

We can help you plan and choose your career, find jobs and opportunities, and help with applications, CVs, interviews and assessments (login required).

Login to our Careers and Employment ServiceLogin to our Careers and Employment Service
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Connecting young professionals

Generation Next is a professional network for entrepreneurs and employees aged 18 to 35 across the East Midlands. It’s run by East Midlands Chamber and the University of Derby has been a key partner since 2021.

Find out how some students and graduates have benefitted from Generation Next Find out how some students and graduates have benefitted from Generation Next