Employability
Work placements
We understand that in today's competitive jobs market, increasing numbers of employers expect new graduates to have substantial experience of the workplace. Our students have enjoyed placements with companies like the BBC, Cisco, IBM, NHS, Microsoft, Dolby, Selfridges, ASOS and more.
Increasing your employability
University is a big investment so it’s important to know that it’s all going to be worth it. Here’s how Birmingham City University can help turn your passion into a career.
Graduate+
Graduate + makes sure nothing you do at university goes to waste – and tells employers that you’ve got more than your degree.
About Graduate+Student jobs on campus
We advertise a lot of our on-campus roles to students first, and Birmingham is full of shops, bars and part time work opportunities.
Jobs on campusPlacements
The majority of courses give you the chance to go on placement and other courses will offer you the choice of a placement year.
More on placementsRelevant courses for the industry and workplace
All of our courses have recently been refreshed to give you the most practical experience and best possible chance of finding employment once you graduate. Our courses are designed to:
- Give you practical work experience by offering placement opportunities.
- Build practice-based project work into the curriculum, giving you hands-on experience of the industries you’ll be working in.
- Provide optional modules so you can tailor your study to your own interests and career aspirations.
Live Projects
A range of our courses offer students the chance to work on live projects with businesses, enter competitions and even get involved with community projects related to their course.
For example, students from the Department of Sport and Exercise at Birmingham City University worked with cricketers from Warwickshire County Cricket Club and were taught by Sport Director Ashley Giles and Conditioning Coach Chris Armstrong.
Over 40 students on the course benefited from being involved in the real life project and are now able to mention working with a respected name in sport to their CV.
Exhibitions
A range of our courses offer our students the chance to showcase their work directly to employers by participating in exhibitions like Innovation Fest, Inspired Festival or graduate shows. These opportunities help you showcase your projects and allow you to tackle real world problems just like you would in the work place.
Innovation Fest attracts employers from a variety of industries including computing, engineering and the built environment.
Students from last year's Innovation Fest gained traction on social media and have even received interest from businesses, like first year project GRASP, a glove that works as a computer mouse to help people with disabilities, was featured on Made in Birmingham TV, and has since received interest from Microsoft.
Facilities
We've invested £260 million across our buildings and facilities to give you the best possible learning environment to shape your experience. Our facilities give you the chance to use the equipment you'll be working with when you enter the workplace. Our facilities are industry standard, including our TV studios, medical wards and law courts.
Visiting lecturers
Our 1,800-strong team of teaching staff come from and maintain their links with industry and the professions, ensuring you benefit directly from their knowledge, insight and contacts. From high profile criminologist, Professor David Wilson, to an internationally-renowned expert on zero carbon buildings, Professor Lubo Jankovic, our academics will give you both academic and industry knowledge.
We also invite visiting lecturers, who are currently active in their industry, to share their knowledge and experience with our students. Acting students at BCU currently have the opportunity to work with Professor Kevin Finnan MBE, who is most well known for being the Choreographer and Movement Director of the London 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony. As a visiting lecturer, professor Finnan will host masterclasses for the Acting students, as they seek to be among the next generation of great performers.
Career support
With mentors from a range of sectors, we aim to match you with someone who can give you that all important industry insight.
Employment Advisors
Offering one-to-one support with job applications and interview preparation to help you gain graduate-level employment.
Mentoring
With mentors from a range of sectors, we aim to match you with someone who can give you that all important industry insight.
Post-graduation support
Our graduates can access careers support for up to three years after graduating. This includes consultations with careers consultants.