30 Mar Reshaping graduate futures at the University of Bedfordshire

At a time when students, parents and schools are asking tougher questions about the value of a degree, the University of Bedfordshire is clear in its answer. “Career Powered Education (CPE) isn’t a bolt-on,” says Professor Julie Brunton, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience). “It’s the way we design, teach and assess every course.”

The idea of CPE began as a strategic commitment rather than a marketing slogan. Professor Brunton explains that employability was deliberately embedded “at every level of every course,” supported by research into what genuinely improves graduate outcomes.

The result was a simple but powerful framework which now underpins the student experience across the University.

At the heart of Career Powered Education are three connected strands.

Work-related learning

The first is work-based and work-related learning. “We know from years of evidence that students who gain real workplace experience are more likely to secure graduate-level jobs and earn more over time,” Professor Brunton says.

While not every course can include a traditional placement year, Bedfordshire has raised the bar on what counts as meaningful work-related learning.

That includes live employer briefs, authentic assessments and real-world projects from year one onwards. “It’s not just an employer coming in to talk for an hour,” she adds. “Students may be given a real business problem, a data set, or an industry scenario, and then be asked to respond as professionals.”

As students make progress the challenge increases, with many undertaking consultancy projects, research for external organisations or workplace-based dissertations in their final year.

Graduate competencies

The second strand focuses on graduate competencies. Rather than treating skills as abstract or optional, Bedfordshire has defined a clear set of competencies that every student is supported to develop.

These include confidence, teamwork, critical thinking and resilience. “We want students to be able to recognise and articulate how they’ve grown,” Professor Brunton explains. “That reflective element is crucial when they’re talking to employers.”

Career readiness

The third strand is career readiness. Many Bedfordshire students are already working while studying, often juggling caring responsibilities or commuting.

The University therefore places a strong emphasis on practical preparation for the job market, from CV writing and mock interviews, through to understanding the breadth and scope of career routes linked to each subject.

“If a student studies English, teaching isn’t the only destination,” says Professor Brunton. “We help them see the full range of industries where their skills are valued.”

What makes this approach even more distinctive is the depth of employer partnerships. The University works with strategic partners across sectors including aviation, healthcare, sport, education and business, not just to offer placements but also to co-design courses.

“We can’t do this without employers,” adds Professor Brunton. “They help shape what we teach, identify skills gaps and provide experiences students simply couldn’t access on their own.”

Real facilities, real experience

Some of this experience happens on campus. Law students use a fully functioning moot court; sport and health students work in community clinics supporting stroke rehabilitation; and a new Community Diagnostic Centre will soon offer hundreds of hands-on placement opportunities in areas including radiography and imaging.

“Students get real responsibility, supervised by experts, in settings that mirror the workplace,” she explains.

This applied, inclusive model reflects Bedfordshire’s mission as a socially mobile university. Many students don’t arrive with professional networks or the freedom to study abroad. “Our responsibility is to level the playing field,” Professor Brunton notes. “We build these networks for them and bring industry into the curriculum.”

The impact is increasingly visible. Over the past four years, the University has sharply climbed in national league tables, including a rise of 19 places in the Guardian University Guide. Student satisfaction, continuation rates and graduate outcomes have all improved significantly, placing Bedfordshire firmly in the top quartile nationally.

“These results belong to our staff and students,” Professor Brunton continues. “They show what happens when you focus relentlessly on improved teaching quality and learning opportunities.”

A future of collaboration

Looking to the future, she is excited by closer collaboration with further education colleges across the region, creating clear pathways from level two through to postgraduate study. “It’s all about skills for Bedfordshire, and the surrounding counties, from local communities into growing industries,” she says. “That’s Career Powered Education in action.”

For teachers, heads and advisers guiding young people through their choices, Professor Brunton’s message is clear.

“If your students want an education that combines strong academic foundations with real-world experience, confidence and clear career direction, that’s what we do,” she says. “We don’t just prepare students for a degree. We prepare them for life after it.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.beds.ac.uk/powered/

Interview by Mark Ferguson, Director at More Fire PR Ltd.