Inspiring Futures is uniquely designed to enhance the employability skills of our undergraduate students from the very start of their university careers, giving them the opportunity to work on consultancy projects which address real business issues set by organisations. In turn, the organisation benefits from free business advice from a team of talented, business students.
Facts and figures
What started out as a small pilot project involving just 16 students, is now in its eighth year and has grown to include:
- over 4,500 students
- in six modules
- undertaking over 775 consultancy projects
- in over 375 organisations
- with an estimated value to the local economy of over a million pounds.
How does it work?
Inspiring Futures is part of assessed modules which teach students about employability and enterprise whilst developing their professional skills. They are taught the necessary theory to undertake projects, including: project management, team working, communication, presentation and report writing.
An organisation provides a project brief, detailing the business issue they wish the students to investigate on their behalf and this is allocated to a group of students. Students usually work in groups of five and self-select a group leader. At the beginning of the project, students meet with the client to clarify the objectives and ask questions. Under the supervision of an academic member of staff and ongoing guidance from the client, they work remotely to fulfil the brief.
As part of the students’ assessed learning experience, they present their findings to the organisation at the end of the consultancy project. This is usually in the form of a report and/or presentation.
Students may be studying the following courses: