University Scoops National Award for Career Coaching and Work Placements

The University of Suffolk has scooped a significant national award judged by students across the country for its career support and work placements.

The University secured the Submission Award Category at the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards – known as WUSCAs for short – in a glittering award ceremony in London on Wednesday night. 

Suffolk was one of just five universities to be shortlisted for the Submission Award, the theme of which was ‘Career Coaching and Work Placements’ for this year. 

The category criteria said the Submission Award recognises institutions which go above and beyond to ensure students are acquiring skills, knowledge and practical experience they need to enter the workforce with a competitive edge. 

As well as the Submission Category win, the University was also shortlisted in the Career Prospects Category – the second year in a row the University was shortlisted in the top 10 nationally, ranking second for career prospects this time around. 

In addition, the University was a regional winner for the East of England in the Facilities, Lecturers and Teaching Quality, Student Support and Career Prospects categories.

The finalists were selected by student reviews and compiled by the student judges, who considered the shortlisted entries to deliver outstanding student experiences in preparing learners for life after graduation. The Submission Category was the only award entered directly by universities and judged by a student panel. 

Amy Carpenter, Associate Director Careers, Employability and Enterprise at the University of Suffolk was at the ceremony to receive the award. 

She said: “Winning the award is such a fantastic achievement, and testament to the amazing work going on within the Careers, Employability and Enterprise team to find innovative ways to ensure our students have access to outstanding and accessible work placements and careers support. 

“Students are at the centre of everything we do as a team, making sure students are best prepared for their chosen careers when they graduate. For the award shortlist and winner to have been picked by a diverse student panel from universities around the country is the proudest achievement of them all.” 

The University has developed a wide-ranging package of career and work placement support for students, including offering micro-placement and student ambassador opportunities within the university, as well as regular careers and job fairs, one-to-one support, funding opportunities and skills development in areas such as CV building and job interviews. 

The university also enjoys partnerships with employers in the region to help connect students and graduates with local firms. 

The award comes in the same week the University published an independent economic impact assessment which reported that the University generated £862 million in economic activity in 2021/22, supporting more than 13,500 jobs, and signed a Civic University pledge to further support wellbeing in Suffolk’s communities. 

For more information about the University of Suffolk’s careers, enterprise and employability please visit the website here.