The University of Suffolk is a diverse and vibrant community and is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all. In the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Team we strive to promote inclusivity and to support students from all walks of life to develop their employability, explore their future plans and make a successful transition to their chosen post-graduate destination.
We know that students from underrepresented groups can face barriers in accessing the graduate labour market. These pages highlight the range of our offer as well as some useful resources to help navigate the transition process.
For more information on the wider context and how the University of Suffolk works to increase participation of students normally under-represented in Higher Education, as well as supporting our students to succeed on their course and progress into employment and further study, you can read our full Access and Participation Plan.
What is meant by underrepresented groups?
Based on information and definitions from Office for Students, this includes (but is not limited to) students and graduates in one or more of the following categories:
- students with disabilities
- students who identify as Black, Asian, Mixed and/or from a Global Majority racial and ethnic group
- students who are first in their family to go to university or come from an area of low participation in Higher Education
- students from areas of low household income
- care experienced students
- mature students (under 21 when they started their first undergraduate degree).
Have a look at the sections below and explore how you could benefit from our enhanced support as well as some useful external resources. You can also contact careers@uos.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Build Your Future opt-in scheme
We are excited to have launched Build Your Future a new opt-in scheme for students meeting certain criteria, offering a programme of enhanced support and exclusive opportunities. Please complete the registration form if you are interested in finding out more.
Contact the team
Our team are available for information, advice and careers guidance.
T: 01473 338840
For regular updates:
Twitter: @UniofSuffolkCareers
Facebook: /UniofSuffolkCareers
This page has been created in collaboration with students. If you are a student at the University of Suffolk and have any feedback or suggestions you would like to share, please email the team at careers@uos.ac.uk.
*Please note that this page is currently under development and we will make resources live as and when they are available - so please keep an eye out for updates!
If you have a physical or mental health condition, learning difference/disability, or long-term illness, this might be something you think about in relation to your employability and career planning. We can help you to think about your skills and strengths, as well as any areas which you might want to develop, and offer support to help you navigate the process around your next steps, whether that's employment, further study or something else.
The graduate recruitment process can often seem like a challenge, but students with disabilities can find that their experiences and achievements at university give them many skills and attributes that employers and post-graduate providers really value. We can help you to think about if and when you wish to share information, how to present this positively and market yourself effectively. We can also support you to access information and advice around your rights in recruitment processes and the workplace.
If you are a current student or graduate and would like to talk about any of this in more detail (as well as any other aspects of careers, employability and enterprise) you can book an appointment with an adviser. Appointments are confidential and impartial.
Online resources:
Acas - free, impartial information and advice for employees and employers on workplace rights, rules and best practice
Access to Work - government programme to help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability
Change 100 - paid summer work placements, professional development and mentoring for students and graduates with disabilities
EmployAbility - support, advice and advocacy for talented neurodivergent and disabled university students to build their careers
Evenbreak - bringing together employers who want to attract disabled applicants and applicants who want to find inclusive employers
GOV.UK - information on the Equality Act, including provisions relating to disability
MyPlus Students' Club - advice, resources and opportunities to support students and graduates with disabilities to realise their career potential
Mind - mental health charity, provides advice and support on mental well-being in the workplace
Mind Workplace Well-being Index - celebrates companies who take the mental as well as the physical wellbeing of their employees seriously
National Autistic Society - provide a variety of work programmes, training and resources to cater for autistic jobseekers and employers looking to benefit from hiring a more diverse workforce.
Suffolk Work Well - free programme run by Suffolk Mind to help people with mental health issues access and retain employment or education opportunities
You may find the following guides and articles helpful:
Explaining your mental health condition to others (AGCAS)
Reasonable adjustments - neurodiversity (AGCAS)
Disclosure - neurodiversity (AGCAS)
Neurodiversity-friendly employers and how to find them (TARGETjobs)
If you are a student identifying as Black, Asian, Mixed and/or from a Global Majority racial and ethnic group, this section is for you.
We understand that students from some racial and ethnic groups can have different influences, experiences and pressures impacting their career choices and decisions. Here you will find a collection of resources from various organisations, charities, and career development networks that are specifically designed to support you..
There is a demand for employers to commit to making their recruitment process more inclusive. We encourage you to explore the resources below, as well as following your own research into employers and organisations that promote an inclusive and diverse workforce and/or offer opportunities such as training, internships or graduate programmes exclusively for you.
We have also included some resources to support you should you feel that you are discriminated against in the workplace, during recruitment processes, or at any other stage in your career journey.
The Careers, Employability and Enterprise team are embracing use of the term Global Majority, whilst some organisations choose BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) or BME (black and minority ethnic). Some other countries may also use POC which stands for People of Colour or BIPOC, which stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. Whichever terminology you prefer or are familiar with, the resources here aim to support your individual needs.
Association For Black and Minority Ethic Engineers : AFBE-UK provides support and promotes higher achievements in Education and Engineering, particularly amongst students and professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds.
BME Jobs: the leading BME job board to help companies attract a broad range of candidates to their job vacancies, to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Diversifying Group: a Diversity and Inclusion Consultancy firm. Its focus is on delivering diverse recruitment and consultancy processes for recruiting diverse candidates and growing talent within organisations.
BDO Black Heritage Virtual Insight Programme 2023 - a three day-long virtual insight experience where you will develop your knowledge of accounting and gain exposure to BDO and our people, which could lead to an offer of a summer internship and a paid role as a university Brand Ambassador.
Business in the Community: provide advice, news and information on employers regarding racial equality in the workplace. They also have an index for the Best Employers for Race.
Civil Service Fast Stream: Summer Diversity Internship Programme
The multi-award winning Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP) gives people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. It puts talented undergraduates and graduates on a work placement in a government department. As a successful applicant, you’ll get an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service.
Civil Service Fast Stream: Early Diversity Internship Programme
This award winning internship is available to first-year undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. The 5-day placement in a government department gives you valuable insight and understanding of what it's like to be on the Fast Stream.
Creative Access: Creative Access is a leading diversity, equity and inclusion organisation in the UK with deep expertise across the creative economy.
Ethnic JobSite
This site provides a database of employers committed to fair and diverse recruitment as well as career tips.
Future leaders
This organisation runs a programme of workshops for students and graduates with the focus on diversity.
Inclusive Graduates
Inclusive Graduates, the not-for-profit arm of executive search firm Inclusive Boards, connects undergraduates and young professionals from underrepresented groups across the UK with outstanding employers. They identify these groups as: ethnic minorities, women, young people from low socio-economic groups and students from non-Russell Group universities.
KPMG Black Heritage Talent Insight programme
This programme is aimed primarily at students of Black Heritage seeking an insight into a career in Deal Advisory. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about the business and develop your professional skills.
The Other Box
Through our training, consultancy and brand partnerships, this organisation aim to be the bridge to facilitating an honest conversation to better understand the importance and value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Parity Project
Insight, networking and employability support for black men.
Pocc
Pocc aim to accelerate equality and equity for culturally and ethnically diverse people in the creative industries and beyond, through non-traditional ideas, creativity and activism.
Positive Action Schemes at The Guardian (currently on hold due to Covid-19)
Summer work experience schemes for Global Majority/BAME individuals and individuals with a disability considering a career in journalism.
Rare Recruitment
Rare Recruitment matches outstanding people from diverse backgrounds with jobs in top organisations. They specialise in helping ethnic minority candidates and place a particular emphasis on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation: The Foundation was established amid unprecedented growing global awareness of racial inequality and exists to inspire a more equal, inclusive society, and to foster opportunities for marginalised young people in the UK.
Target jobs: has some useful information for all diverse groups, including Global Majority students. They also host events for certain industries exclusively for you.
UPRising
UpRising is a UK-wide youth leadership development organisation. Their mission is to open pathways for talented young people from diverse and under-represented backgrounds by equipping them with the knowledge, networks, skills, and confidence to fulfil their leadership potential.
Windsor Fellowship: advertises a number of specific internships with top graduate employers as well as their own Leadership programme.
10000BlackInterns
10000BlackInterns help transform the horizons and prospects of young Black people in the United Kingdom by offering paid work experience across a wide range of industries, as well as world-class training and development.
Acas: (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. They have a guide to support anyone concerned about race, religion or belief discrimination.
The Equality Act – Know your rights - The Equality Act 2010 covers ‘Race’ in one of its nine protected characteristics against discrimination. Race covers colour, nationality (including your citizenship), ethnic or national origins, and ethnic and racial groups.
Many students from these backgrounds have had to overcome barriers to get into Higher Education, so making those steps and getting to this point is already a huge achievement and something you can be proud of. You already have strengths and qualities that employers value, such as:
- resilience, motivation and persistence
- the drive and ability to face challenges and overcome barriers
- a willingness to be first and take risks in pursuing your career goals
But what now? If not many people from your area, your school, or your family have studied at university, it can be a daunting experience and you may feel a little unsure of how to navigate what’s on offer.
You might not have had the chance to access opportunities such as meaningful work experience or volunteering, which help to enhance employability and build networks. Don’t worry if you’re in this situation - it's definitely not too late! Our advisers can help you to recognise what you already have to offer and support you to build on areas that you want to develop.
The Careers, Employability and Enterprise Team are here to help you to think about how you can make the most of your time at university, explore the wealth of opportunities available alongside your programme of study, and plan towards a successful transition into work, further study or whatever it is you want to do next.
Don’t forget you can register for our Build Your Future Scheme which can offer you enhanced support and exclusive opportunities to help you develop your employability.
Have a look at these links as well:
Careers events and webinars - a great way to start building your network as well as exploring options
University of Suffolk's Student Union - explore societies, sports, events and SU roles - get involved, find your interests and like-minded people, as well as developing your skills
Bright Network is a free membership network designed to help university students and recent graduates across the UK connect with employers and get the support they need to fulfil their potential - diversity is key to their mission and 43% of their members are the first in their family to go to university
upReach -are a charity providing careers support and resources for students from less-advantaged backgrounds
First Generation Undergraduate of the Year Award 2023
Going to university is exciting, but it can be daunting too. And if you've spent time in care, you might find it more difficult to enter higher education. If you’re a care leaver or care-experienced student, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise team are here to help you build your skills, experience and contacts, supporting you to explore your own career journey, plan your next steps and navigate recruitment processes.
You might feel that you don’t have networks to support you and gain insight from, or that you haven’t had the opportunity to gain work experience and develop your employability – if so, we are here to help through a range of activities and one-to-one guidance.
Don't forget you can also take advantage of our Build Your Future scheme which gives you the chance to develop your employability, grow your networks and gain insights into the knowledge and skills you need to succeed with your future plans.
Take a look at the resources below for further information as well.
Propel website for care leavers providing information and advice on the support available to you at universities and colleges across the UK
Care Leavers | Applying To University | UCAS - advice about support while you are at university as well as the application process
The Care Leavers Association - Support while accessing Further and Higher Education
Buttle UK offers financial support to young people who receive no support from their parents or guardians.
Catch22 include a section on their website for Employability Support
The Scholarship Hub - Best care leavers’ scholarships and bursaries
The EaCES Handbook was created by current Estranged and Care Experienced Students (EaCES) in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, to summarise advice and information to support students like them in higher and further education and to share their own lived experiences and stories.
Local Authority Support - Local Authorities provide support for Care Leavers under age 25 wanting to continue their education - many students are entitled to an Adviser, a pathway plan, financial support, help with accommodation fees and appropriate travel costs. In some cases this applies even if there is a gap between leaving care and returning to education.
Mature students are defined as those who enter higher education at the age of 21 or over. As a mature student you may have different motivations and needs to younger students. University can be a new opportunity to learn, a pathway to a new career or to progression in your current area of work. Alongside this, you may have other commitments such as work or family to juggle.
Whatever your motivations for embarking on a higher education course, it’s important to remember that you will have a great deal of experience that future employers will value. The Careers, Employability and Enterprise Team can help you to recognise the transferable skills you already have, how to present these positively to employers and how you might work on those skills you want to develop further. We can also support you to get involved with new and extra-curricular activities at the University and beyond, to help you broaden your experiences, build your confidence and grow your network.
Have a look at these resources for information to help you in planning your next steps:
Graduatejobs.com - How to job hunt as a mature graduate
Monster - jobs and careers website, includes a guide on "What do I need to know as a mature worker?"
The Open University - has advice and tips for mature students, including input from employers
UCAS - has information about applying to university for mature students, but also advice that could help you while you're there such as their guide for Students with Parenting Responsibilities
There are also some useful resources to help you understand your rights around age discrimination:
Acas guide on age discrimination
Age UK - information on employment rights
GOV.UK - information on the Equality Act, including guidance on your rights relating to age discrimination
Build Your Future is the University of Suffolk’s brand new scheme providing enhanced Careers, Employability and Enterprise support for students who meet specific criteria. This includes:
- students with disabilities
- students who identify as Black, Asian, Mixed and/or from a Global Majority racial and ethnic group
- students from areas of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status
- care leavers
- mature students.
This opt-in scheme offers you exclusive opportunities to enhance your employability, grow your confidence and build your networks. Click here for more information, including how to register.