Introduction
At Royal Holloway, University of London, we are committed to supporting every student’s employability journey throughout their time at university and beyond as a graduate. Our inclusive approach involves a diverse range of industry aligned experiential learning opportunities designed to empower every student to get future ready. Our services encompass placements, volunteering, entrepreneurship, employer engagement, careers events, consultancy and coaching, all unpinned by information, advice, guidance and mentoring. The Careers service seeks to ensure equitable access to employability experiences for all students to explore their interests, discover their potential, and make informed choices for future success in the workplace, starting your own business or further study.
The RH2030s vision to be a University of Social Purpose has the strategic ambition of Skills for Choice and Opportunity. We are a values-based community with the ambition to be daring, open, innovative and respectful in our pursuit for what matters. This translates into our employability framework which is aligned with the Education and Student Experience Strategic Action Plan for an inclusive curriculum and how we support students.
Royal Holloway Careers is Matrix Standard accredited for quality of information, advice and guidance provided across all areas of the service.
Placements
Our Summer Skills Placement Programme offers undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds the chance to apply for short-term placements in their chosen sector, with all costs covered, including a grant and travel expenses.
Additionally, our Optional Placement Year allows students from any discipline to spend 9-12 months studying abroad, working, or engaging in voluntary work after their second year (or third year for MSci or MEng courses) as part of their degree.
Our Global Experiences coordinates our government funded Turing Scheme to enable students to engage with global opportunities helping them become global citizens and develop employability skills and career confidence through various social mobility activities.
Volunteering
Royal Holloway Volunteering matches students with opportunities that develop their potential, sense of belonging, and ability to make a difference. We offer five broad streams of volunteering activities:
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Community Action: Opportunities provided by community partners, such as tutoring in local schools, volunteering in charity shops, or becoming a police special constable.
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Social Action: Student-led projects, including teaching English to refugees, organizing tea parties for the elderly, conservation projects, and sustainability initiatives.
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Community Research: Research projects with organizations, allowing students to utilize their research skills for a good cause.
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Volunteering Abroad: International volunteering opportunities linked with the Turing Scheme (and wider), enabling students to explore different cultures while making a genuine difference.
- Sports Volunteering: Activities coordinated with the Active Lifestyle and Sport department, including local sports events, social leagues, and coaching qualifications.
Entrepreneurship
The Student Entrepreneurship Service supports students looking to start their own business or work as a freelancer. One-to-one appointments with our Enterprise Manager are available, as well as a series of workshops during the autumn and spring terms, with an online enterprise pathway available too. There is also the opportunity for students and alumni to showcase their business ventures to students and staff at the Side Hustle Showcase event.
The support on offer includes:
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Feasibility of product or service - defining the need and market
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Creating a business model
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Creating the value proposition and taking it to market
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Financial planning and stress testing
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Funding requirement and strategy
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Review and feedback session with networking
Employer Engagement and Events
We run a comprehensive programme of in-person and online events, bringing employers and alumni onto campus to help students find jobs, refine their career choices, and improve their chances of application success. We host:
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Career Fairs: Opportunities to meet potential graduate employers and placement providers. In addition, biannual Part Time Jobs Fairs are organised to assist students to find local paid part-time employment to support cost of learning.
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LinkedIn Days: Free photobooth and one-to-one appointments with employers providing real-world feedback on LinkedIn profiles
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Employer Presentations: Insights into various industries and roles.
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Skills Sessions: Workshops to develop key employability skills.
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One-to-Ones: Personalised drop-in consultations with employers.
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Alumni Panels: Regular panels aligned to popular graduate destination sectors, inspiring and informing students on possible career options.
We partner with social mobility and EDI-focused organisations to maximize opportunities and support for students from under-represented backgrounds. Our Careers Portal advertises a wide range of career opportunities, events and resources online, and our Job Shop provides updated information on a range of part-time jobs and graduate roles to students on campus.
Employability Consultancy and Coaching
We are committed to empowering our students and graduates to achieve their career goals through personalised guidance, high-quality resources, and opportunities to develop their employability skills through:
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1:1 Careers Guidance Appointments: Tailored advice and coaching to support career planning, job search strategies, further study applications, and personal development.
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CVs, Applications, and Interview Support: Feedback and support on applications, CVs, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and interview preparation.
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Career Workshops: Regular skills-based sessions to help students and graduates develop their confidence, explore career options, and succeed in recruitment processes.
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Peer-to-Peer Support: Our trained student Career Coaches offer a relatable perspective to enhance confidence and get the most out of your career journey.
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Curriculum-Integrated Employability: We work in partnership with Faculties to embed employability skills and work-based learning into the curriculum.
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International Students: Specialist employability resources, UK job market insights, cultural adaptation programmes, and digital tools tailored to international students.
- Skills Development: record and track your skills whilst identifying gaps and opportunities to improve your skills.
- Support for Underrepresented Groups: Targeted initiatives and mentoring programmes to improve access to opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
- Access to Services: All students and graduates can access our services and book appointments, workshops, and digital tools via TargetConnect.
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Graduate Package: 2 years of careers and employability support beyond graduation.
Digital Employability Tools
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CareerSet – Instant CV reviews and tailored feedback to help improve your CV against industry standards and job descriptions.
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Shortlist.Me – Practice video interviews with automated feedback to build confidence and improve your performance. Assessment Day helps you get test-ready quickly to pass your assessments with confidence.
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eCareersGrad – Interactive modules that support international students with UK recruitment preparation, cultural insights, and employer expectations.
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Graduates First – Psychometric test practice, including numerical, verbal, and situational judgement tests used by top employers.
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Student Circus – A job board designed specifically for international students looking for UK employers who sponsor graduate visas.
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Volunteering Platform – Explore the full range of volunteering opportunities available.
Information and Support
Our Careers Team in the Enterprise and Careers Hub provides an information service to students on campus, signposting to digital resources, opportunities, and events. We support students year-round in sourcing part-time work to support their studies, both on campus and in the local area. Students can book appointments with our Employability team or drop in to speak to Careers Coaches for personalised coaching and guidance.
We have Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) membership quality standard, and our Employability team hold relevant careers guidance qualifications.
The Careers Service is independently run by the University and not as part of any combined services, it is committed to being open to continuous improvement through feedback. We are currently working with the following third-party employer providers to supply services; Target Connect, Student Circus, eCareersGrad.
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