Gain work experience by tackling a real-life challenge faced by an organisation. Learn how to develop a project, work in a team and deliver your findings to a client in a supportive setting.

About student consultancy

Student consultancy is an opportunity to gain work experience on a live project set by an external organisation. This could be business, community or sustainability focussed. You will receive training on how to manage a project, work in a team, deliver a presentation and how best to showcase your experience on your CV and in interviews.

There will be two opportunities, one in the Winter term (13 November – 8 December) and one in the Spring (12 February – 8 March). Both programmes are part-time over four weeks and you don’t need any previous experience.

Applications for the Spring Programme are open now.

Final-year undergraduate students and taught postgraduate students are eligible to apply.

100% of students who completed our feedback form last year would recommend the programme to other students.

‘We were very impressed with the students work and presentations. They provided a really valuable research project for our business.’ – project host, Social for Good

About the programme

Working flexible hours over a four-week period (approximately 5 hours per week), student teams will learn how to listen to a client's business challenge, research and analyse the problem, and then deliver your findings to the client in a fully supported setting.

You will receive a bursary, equivalent to the UK real Living Wage, at £12 per hour.

Read about Valerie’s experience taking part in the student consultancy programme.

‘We went and visited the office multiple times. It really felt as if the work we were doing was going to genuinely contribute to their business as opposed to it just being a University project’. – student participant from 22/23

Why you should take part

You will:

  • develop skills with tangible examples such as teamwork, project management and public speaking
  • gain experience working as a consultant
  • boost your confidence
  • build new connections with other students and organisations
  • increase your knowledge of consultancy and project management.

You will benefit from:

  • bespoke training sessions, exclusive to student consultants, on how to lead a team, deliver a business-style presentation to a client and how to articulate your experience in applications and at interview
  • a one-to-one practice presentation session with your group and a Careers Consultant
  • connecting with an organisation to make a real difference through your recommendations and research
  • Spirit of Sussex Award points for your participation.

Students who have no prior work experience are particularly welcome to apply. 

You apply individually, and if successful, we aim to allocate you to a team and project according to your discipline, skills and project preferences.

What you will do

You will work in small groups with other finalist undergraduate and taught postgraduate students from a mix of degree programmes to research, analyse and recommend strategies, in line with a project brief.

Project briefs are set by a range of organisations from different sectors, including charities and NGOs, startups, and large corporates.

Previous sectors have included: business and management, travel and tourism, media, public services, education, marketing and advertising, and retail and sales.

Potential topics may include:

  • Improving an organisation’s social media presence
  • Reviewing and recommending sustainability practices
  • Testing a product/service/website for usability and navigation
  • Analysing market trends and competitors
  • Investigating potential new products and services.

 You will collectively prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation on your findings and recommendations to your client. 

No specialist knowledge or work experience is required as full training and ongoing support are provided by your client and the University.

‘The consultancy group had a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development … where individuals were encouraged to push their boundaries and reach their full potential’. – student participant from 22/23

When does it happen

  • Winter: 13 November – 8 December 2023
  • Spring: 12 February – 8 March 2024

On launch day, you will be introduced to the programme, attend essential training, and meet your fellow student consultants and project host.

As a student group, you will have 100 combined hours (approximately 20 hours each over 4 weeks) to complete the project within your team, including the chance to meet with your project host halfway through for questions and updates.

You will work flexibly over the programme period with your team.

To benefit most from the programme, all students are expected to attend the launch day and two other live training sessions.

How to apply

Applications for the Spring programme are open now. The deadline for applications is Friday 26 January 2024.

apply here

If successful, you will be contacted very shortly after the deadline with further details and training dates.

The programme is open to final-year undergraduate students and taught postgraduate students. You can only take part in either the Winter or Spring Student Consultancy Programme.

Further questions

Contact careerlab@sussex.ac.uk.

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