Employability

Get connected, learn and develop, with the support of the Careers and Employability Team, and make the most of your time at university and beyond.

The Careers and Employability Service offers support and advice throughout your time at the University of Chester, to help you make the most of your time here and best prepare you for your future.

Career Conversations

Our friendly, professionally qualified Career Consultants offer comprehensive support to students and graduates helping you to explore career pathways, building experience, and developing your career readiness. We offer one-to-one and group careers meetings helping students with CV and application writing, interview preparation, understanding your strengths and how to develop graduate level skills employer look for.

Access Careers Information 24/7, 365 days a year!

We are based at Exton Campus with links across all campus sites.  You can drop-in and see us Monday-Friday or visit CareerHub, our university’s digital platform. CareerHub is your one-stop-shop for online careers resources, events and networking opportunities, exploring part-time jobs, internships placements and volunteering and much more!

Engage with our Employers

We work with over 500 local, regional and national employers, across various industries. Get to know them through:

  • Employers in the Curriculum
  • Work-based and experiential learning
  • Employer Visits and Guests on Campus with our ‘Employer in the Foyer’
  • Job, internship and placement opportunities
  • Chester Internships and Get a Graduate Job

Employability initiatives

Are you interested in starting your own business, becoming self-employed, or freelancing? 

The Venture Programme is designed to help you build the skills, knowledge, confidence, and connections you need to succeed in your business journey. Whether you want to enhance your entrepreneurial skills, launch a startup, or pursue a freelancing career, the Venture Programme will challenge your ideas, introduce you to the business world, and give you the tools to turn your ambitions into reality. 

Open to all University of Chester students and graduates (within two years of graduating).  

For more details, current students and graduates can visit CareerHub.

Inspiring Futures is a dedicated programme designed to support students identified through the University’s Access and Participation Plan recognising that not everyone starts from the same place in life. We’re here to provide the resources, guidance, and opportunities you need to succeed in your career journey.

The programme includes the Futures Employability Fund, which provides financial support for eligible students and graduates to help you build skills, gain experience, and seize opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach due to financial constraints. This funding stream is exclusively for students and graduates (within 12 months of graduating) who meet the criteria.

The programme also includes opportunities for level 5 and level 6 students to apply into part-time fully funded Inspiring  Future Internships.  The Careers and Employabilty Team will contact Inspiring Futures students to notify them when these opportunities are open, or students can search Inspiring Futures opportunities on CareerHub.

For more information, visit CareerHub or email us at inspiringfutures@chester.ac.uk.

Chester Graduate Internships

We collaborate with local businesses to offer soon-to-be and recent undergraduates [within 12  months of graduation] the opportunity to apply into funded, paid work experience. Chester Graduate Internships can offer the first step into professional employment and help build valuable skills and experience.

Explore available Chester Internship opportunities on CareerHub.

The Chester Difference Award (CDA) is designed to help you stand out by recognising and developing key skills that enhance your personal and professional growth. By taking part in the CDA, you will:

  • Cleary articulate your skills
  • Boost your confidence
  • Advance your career thinking
  • Prepare for recruitment processes
  • Expand your network
  • Become a student with a difference 

The CDA is recognised on the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).

We currently offer 3 levels of the Award:

  • The Chester Difference Award (CDA) 
  • The Chester Difference Plus Award (CDPA)
  • The Chester Difference Excellence Award (CDEA)

Current students and graduates can access more information on CareerHub.

Access the Volunteer Hub to find over 100 volunteer providers and 150 volunteering opportunities.    

Other services include:  

To find out more visit CareerHub or email volunteering@chester.ac.uk and follow us on Instagram: @UoCVolunteering.

We’re here to help you get involved and make a difference!

Our Peer Mentoring helps first-year students transition smoothly into university life. Peer Mentors are trained second and third-year students who offer advice on: 

  • Social Life: How to join clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities.
  • Study Tips: Advice on workload planning and time management.

Make the most of these opportunities and set yourself up for success! Visit CareerHub to get started.

To find out more visit CareerHub or email: peermentoring@chester.ac.uk.

Education students in Seaborne Library

Student Peer Mentor Comments

“Becoming a Peer Mentor gives me an opportunity to meet and connect with people whom I would not meet otherwise, and it is a real pleasure to be a part in helping somebody settle into university.” 

 

“If someone is thinking of requesting a Mentor, I would say go for it! Mentoring can provide valuable insights, advice, and encouragement. It's an opportunity to learn from someone who has been through similar experiences and can offer guidance along the way. It's worthwhile!"

Two female students sitting down smiling looking at a laptop

Student Peer Mentor Comments

“If you’re thinking about connecting with a mentor, I would just say go for it! It is your own space so you only need to reach out to us as much, or as little, as you need - we are always happy to help!"

 

“If someone is thinking of getting a mentor, definitely go for it! There’s nothing better than finding a person that understands you and is willing to help. It’s also a nice way of making a friend.”

 

 

  1. Every first-year undergraduate student is eligible to apply for a Peer Mentor. The online application form opens in August and runs the whole academic year. The form should only take a few minutes to complete.
  2. After you have applied, you will be invited to join the Peer Mentoring platform – here you will be matched with a mentor. The Peer Mentor will introduce themselves and welcome you to the University. What happens next is both up to you!
  3. You will also receive a Mentee handbook, an invite to a Mentoring event during Welcome Week and communications from the Mentoring team throughout the academic year.

Get a Peer Mentor

If you are a current Undergraduate 2nd or 3rd year student at Chester and would be interested in joining the scheme as a Mentor, recruitment opens every year in February.

What’s it like to be a Peer Mentor?

  • Before your Mentee begins University: Starting from mid-August, you will communicate with your Mentee through the Mentoring platform.
  • After your Mentee begins University: You will continue to occasionally communicate with your Mentee throughout the academic year. At certain points of the year, you will meet up with your mentee either in-person or online.
  • Throughout the year: You will receive support, communications, skills development and training from the Mentoring team. You can also log your time spent volunteering as a Peer Mentor through the Volunteer Hub to progress towards the University of Chester Volunteering (UCV) awards scheme or Chester Difference (CDA) Award scheme.

LinkedIn Learning

As a University of Chester student, you have free unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning. 

LinkedIn Learning is an online video platform that helps you learn and develop skills and competencies across a wide range of areas (e.g. business and professional, digital and technical, creative & software) to achieve your personal and professional goals. Explore over 15,000 video tutorials from industry experts and leaders.

  • Developing your skills and capabilities to get a job – e.g. interview training, presentation skills, giving your elevator pitch, searching and applying to jobs, crafting your professional LinkedIn profile 
  • Developing your digital / IT skills – e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and other software
  • Developing key skills needed in your future careers – e.g. Project Management, Working in Teams, Communication, Time Management, other specific technologies
  • Courses to help you and your own wellbeing – e.g. Self-motivation, Wellness, Improving your Focus, Resilience, Stress & Relaxation

Do I need a LinkedIn profile to use LinkedIn Learning?

  • No, but it helps. You can use LinkedIn Learning without having a LinkedIn (networking) profile, but there are several benefits of having both, such as being able to add certificates/badges to your LinkedIn profile when you complete courses.

How long are the courses?

  • Courses do vary but tend to be on average around an hour long. You can pause and come back to it at any time. Every course is made up of smaller video components (usually 3-5 minutes each) – sometimes you don’t need a whole course, and a couple of the quick videos might help you with what you need.

How can I access LinkedIn Learning?

  • Please use this link to take you straight to LinkedIn Learning
  • You will need to be logged into the universities systems using your university username and password
  • If you do connect your LinkedIn profile (see above) then you will also need to be logged into LinkedIn