University shortlisted for two national Academic Employability Awards

Run by the Graduate Futures Institute, the annual awards - to be held at the end of this month - celebrate academic-led innovations that shape how students learn, grow and prepare for their future careers.

Two such initiatives at the University of Chester are in the running. In the International Employability and Global Skills category, a professionally focused Level 6 Business module has been shortlisted, while in the Curriculum Design for Employability category, the University's Law School is shortlisted for its inclusive, curriculum‑embedded model enabling students, particularly those facing structural disadvantage, to develop essential legal and professional skills.

At Chester Business School, the Level 6 Applied Professional Practice module has been enhanced by Senior Lecturer Ann Qian. This innovative module has helped students to enhance employability skills and navigate emerging technology by integrating AI-powered platforms into employability activities. The module was delivered in collaboration with the University’s Careers and Employability teams and industry professionals, ensuring alignment with current labour market expectations and real-world practice.

Business Management Co-Course Leader, Ann said: “Having been an international student in the UK, I understand both the ambition and the uncertainty many international students experience. There is a strong desire to build employability skills and gain meaningful work experience, but also real challenges in knowing where to start; whether that’s understanding the UK job market, building confidence, or navigating rapidly evolving areas such as technology and AI.

“I am delighted the module, which has delivered high student engagement, satisfaction and confidence, has been shortlisted for this award.”

Dr Tim Brown, Acting Head of Chester Business School, added: “We are pleased to improve the outcomes for our international students, so that they can step into the future with confidence. Congratulations to Ann and her colleagues for further enhancing our future-focused curriculum.”

The University of Chester’s Law School has transformed employability by designing an inclusive, curriculum‑embedded model. It has resulted in strong gains in students’ self‑awareness and confidence, improved articulation of skills, and meaningful engagement from groups historically underrepresented in employability activity.

Dr Erin O’Leary, Head of Chester Law School, said: “It’s wonderful to see our curriculum-based model being recognised by the Graduate Futures Institute with this shortlisting. It has been made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of colleagues at the Law School, as well as the hard work by students to make it a success.”

The winners of the Academic Employability Awards will be announced on Thursday, April 30, in a ceremony held at the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in London.