Careers Support for Undergraduates

We are always available to help you to start exploring your options. We can help with:

• Career Planning - find out how to start researching and planning your career.
• Occupations - research key roles and how to get into a variety of sectors.
• Prospects Planner - generate job ideas to match your skills and interests.

Whatever stage you’re at, we can support you with finding out about graduate employers.

Applications for many graduate schemes open in September, a year in advance of the start date. Competitive sectors, like investment banking and management consulting, open over the summer. It is important to start researching employers, before applications open.

Our Explore Occupations pages have resources and information that will support you to find out about graduate employers across all sectors.

You can book an appointment at the Careers Service to speak to an information adviser who can show you how to research employers. Or if you’re unsure what you would like to do after graduation, book an appointment with a careers consultant.

It can be useful to meet and network with potential employers and training providers. You can find out more about job roles or employers and learn about opportunities. Find out more about how to access employer events through the Careers Service:

• Recruitment Fairs – October & May.
• Employers on campus – various times in semester 1 & 2.
• External events – find out about careers events taking place across the UK and online.

We offer support with looking for part-time jobs and paid work experience from your first few weeks in Newcastle:

• Work on campus - pick up casual work on campus through opportunities such as JobsOC.
• MyCareer – search within Vacancies for work experience and part-time jobs.

International students can attend a the ‘How to find a part time job – for international students’ workshop during semester 1. See Events for more information.

We offer support with looking for internships.

This includes our NCL Internships scheme with local businesses and University departments. These are in a range of occupational areas, from marketing and research to IT and project management. They are designed to be flexible around your timetable and are available throughout the year.

NCL Internships are available throughout term time and during the summer. Summer placements advertised from March.

Use the resources below to research other opportunities that can help you to build skills and experience:

• work shadowing – shadow a member of staff for a day or two. Apply for our Make It Happen Fund to cover travel costs
• virtual opportunities – online internships or free courses can build skills and experience from home
• volunteer - opportunities are available all year and cover a variety of interests
• Join one of the societies available at the Students’ Union
• represent the university in one of the sports teams.
• find out more about opportunities to study or work abroad

You could get recognition for your achievements through one of our awards.

• ncl+ Award – if you’re completing 40 hours of extra-curricular activity you can complete the ncl+ Award.
• Celebrating Success – apply yourself or be nominated for this award through NUSU. The awards celebrate student achievement. From extra-curricular activities, to community impact and volunteering.
• Pride of Newcastle University – you can enter yourself or be nominated. The Awards recognise your achievements and contribution to university life and the wider community.

Whatever you are applying for, we can offer support and feedback on your applications.

Find out about support with your:

• CV
• Cover letter
• LinkedIn profile
• applications
• interviews and assessment centres

Explore and develop your entrepreneurial side with START UP:

• Information, advice and funding – discuss your next steps with an adviser, whether you are at the early stages of developing your idea or want to explore how to take your business further.
• Events – workshops to help you develop your business knowledge and ideas and gain the skills to run a successful start-up.

International students can access tailored support and information through the Careers Service.

Visit our International Students pages for more information about:

• working in the UK
• returning to your home country to work
• workshops and events
• making applications
• tailored resources

We link to resources advertising insight days to first year students. Employers arrange these to allow you to get an understanding of a particular company or sector.

Insight days occur at various points throughout the year, with applications often opening in September. For information about insight days for specific sectors see the occupations website.

Career Development – use your work experience, volunteering or part-time job to count towards your degree.

Module selection opens in April/May.

Almost all undergraduate students have the option to undertake a 9-12 month work placement. Many of these are managed by the Careers Service. This would take place between Stage 2 and your final year, extending your degree programme by one year.

Applications start to open in September, the year before the placement will take place. They start to close between November and February.

Visit the Placement year section of our website. Find information on the Careers Service Placement Year and where to find placements.

Employers tend to target students in their penultimate year for their structured internships.

As well as our NCL internships, we advertise internships from a huge range of employers in different locations on MyCareer.

Completing an internship can be a great way to gain relevant work experience, as well as helping you to decide if that job interests you. Internships can be between 3-6 months long and typically take place in the summer.

Applications start to open in September, the year before the internship will take place. They start to close between November and February.

We can help you understand the difference between graduate schemes and graduate jobs. We offer information about how and when to apply for these.

Applications for many graduate schemes open in September, a year in advance of the start date. They start to close between November and February.

Competitive sectors, like investment banking and management consulting, open over the summer, a year in advance of the start date, and have earlier closing dates.

See our Graduate Jobs section for more information about finding opportunities as well as links to vacancy websites.

Book an appointment through MyCareer and speak to an information adviser who can help you find sector specific graduate opportunities.

If you’re unsure what you would like to do after graduation, book a guidance appointment through MyCareer to speak to a careers consultant.

Graduate schemes are not the only route into graduate level employment. You can also find immediate start vacancies or find jobs by making speculative applications.

The Explore Occupations section of our website includes information about where to find employers in specific sectors. Book an appointment through MyCareer for advice on making a speculative application.

We offer support with finding and applying for further study, at any institution.

If you are considering further study, it is worth researching as early as possible in your third year, to make sure that you meet any course or funding deadlines.

See our Further Study section for more information about how to find and apply for further study.

Going into further study is a big commitment. If you are unsure whether it is for you, then book an appointment through MyCareer and speak to a careers consultant.

Founderships is an innovative business start-up package for graduate entrepreneurs, offering work-space, funding, advice and support. Applications open in semester two.