Putting Employability at the Heart of the Student Experience

Former Londonderry woman Christine completed her BA Hons Business Studies degree at Magee, achieving a first class honours, and has been living and working in Australia for the last 10 years.

She was keen to gather information on how University of Ulster has put employability at the heart of the student experience, according to Moira McCarthy of Employability and Marketing.

“On average there are over 60 applicants for every graduate job, employers are placing more emphasis on recruiting graduates who not only have a degree but who are also equipped with key transferable employability skills,” said Moira, adding: “We are passionate about providing our students with a stimulating and innovative learning experience and have long been advocates of including work experience as an integral and essential part of the higher education journey.”

As a direct response to the increasing competitive graduate market, the University of Ulster has launched the EDGE Award, which provides official recognition for students who engage in extra curriculum and co-curriculum activities, in addition to their degree.

The EDGE activities have been designed to develop key transferable employability skills that employers have identified as key to gaining graduate employment.

Speaking during her visit, Christine said: “University of Ulster graduates are so well qualified and have such a fantastic work ethic, Australia would love to have them.

“I live and work in Perth and would love to see more people from Northern Ireland having the Australian experience. I’m so impressed with what the University is doing, particularly the new EDGE award, I can’t wait to get back to UWA to spread the good news and start building partnerships with the University.”

Magee Provost Professor Deirdre Heenan said: “We are one of the top UK universities for work placement. A work placement is proven to greatly enhance your career prospects when you graduate.”

“The introduction of the new EDGE award further cements Ulster’s commitment to motivate, engage and invest in developing our students’ key employability skills to ensure Ulster graduates are confident, resourceful and best placed to play their role in the economic recovery.”