University of Sussex

Working closely with the business community, government and third sector organisations, Sussex uses its distinctive strengths to develop novel approaches and solutions, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, and sharing the benefits of engagement with its external partners.

Support Services

Undergraduate Placements: The placement scheme will provide one year fixed-term paid graduate level jobs providing face-to-face support and development to employers, identifying opportunities for them to address barriers to business growth through the creation either of short-term (minimum one year) placement or internship jobs, through which the employee will take a consultancy style approach to supporting the business to address a specific issue, unlocking growth potential as a result or of longer term graduate-level employment opportunities with niche, high level skills (for example in risk management within the financial sector).

Evaluation Programme: The evaluation programme will run alongside and enhance all elements of the above programme. The University will contribute the entire costs of this element. Data will be captured at registration on companies involved and fed into the evaluation. This will be enhanced with reference to exiting company databases such as Orbis and FAME. Progress in terms of jobs created, business growth and development (e.g. increased turnover, expansion of international trade activity etc) will be recorded as part of the evaluation process.

Short Term and Temporary Work Experience Programmes: These programmes can help businesses recruit students and recent graduates for temporary work experience opportunities, which is a cost effective way of raising your profile on campus and even of trialling potential future graduate employees. Funding may be available to support you through the following initiatives:

• The University of Sussex is a partner of Santander Universities UK and we are delighted to be able to offer a limited number of financially supported internships to eligible SMEs.
• Throughout the year the University may also offer full funding to eligible employers to take on current students who are First-Generation Scholars or recent graduates.

Masters Programmes: We have a range of available to business/industry professionals and those looking to upskill themselves or their staff. We have an extensive Masters Programmes within the individual Schools at the University: including the MBA Programme and the Technology Masters Programme.

Careers Fair: The University provides businesses with the opportunity to meet potential new graduate or undergraduate recruits through our annual Careers Fair at the Amex stadium, which is held in partnerships with the University of Brighton. This is an excellent way of raising the profile of your business, with over 3,100+ attendees at our Careers Fair in 2014, making it one of the highest attended Careers Fairs in the UK.

Individual recruitment events: There are also a range of other recruitment events we can arrange for businesses throughout the year, including We also organise a range of individual recruitment events including: Recruitment presentations, Drop-in sessions, Skills workshops, and Studio/workplace tours

Meeting Facilities: Available all year round, our self-contained Conference Centre boasts eight contemporary suites, options of syndicate rooms and outdoor terraces overlooking the surrounding South Downs National Park. This is therefore an ideal location for business networking events, meetings, and conferences. We have a dedicated Conferences & Events team to assist businesses in ensuring your time is an enjoyable one.