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Inclusive Careers

Cartoon characters with different shaped heads stand on an equal scale

We aim for the work of Careers and Employability to be as inclusive as possible for all students and graduates, both home and international.

Careers and Employability believe that everyone should be able to achieve their creative ambitions, regardless of their background or circumstance. We strive to support those underrepresented in the creative industries.

Within our team, we have identified diversity champions. Each champion handles sharing knowledge and best practices across the team. The issues we are currently focusing on are those affecting underrepresented students. This includes :

  • caregivers
  • care leavers
  • those with protected characteristics
  • mature students
  • first-generation university students
  • student sex workers.

Our work follows the social model of disability. This recognises that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. We strive to make our events and programmes as accessible as possible. If you have any suggestions on how we could improve please let us know via our feedback form.

Supporting you

Professional mentoring

Apply to be matched with an industry mentor to support you with your career and the steps you need to take to get there.

This could help you find work, set up a business, build networks and audiences, freelance, and sell your art or service. By the end of the programme, you will be clearer about your next steps and have better awareness of opportunities.

Creative Business Internships

Creative Business Internships offer short paid internships to current UAL students, placing them with small creative businesses. All internships are with businesses set up by UAL graduates and will provide insights into what is involved in running a creative enterprise.

Creative Shift

Creative Shift supports underrepresented students to kick-start their careers. Join the community to gain access to industry contacts from diverse backgrounds, work on co-created projects and access funding to help your creative career.

Resources

  • A map of the world in yellow on a purple background has the words
    Aniruddha Sridhar, 2023 London College of Communications, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media, International Futures branding features type as image mixed with an illustration created by Aniruddha Sridhar, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media, 2023 London College of Communication.

    International Futures

    International Futures is an employability programme dedicated to UAL international students and recent graduates to support you on your career journey.

  • Yellow stencils of 0 and 1 are littered in a pile with reminants of paint below them.
    Stencils of numbers graffiti by Divya Sharma. Photo: Alys Tomlinson,
    | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    Disability and dyslexia services

    Find out about adjustments and support available for disabled students.

  • A pink background with the words
    Student Sex Worker Guide, Arts SU,

    Student sex worker support guidebook  

    Produced by SU Arts, this guidebook provides information on your legal rights and information on support from UAL and external organisations.

  • A view of mountains in black and white from the seat of an airplane
    Work by Clara Saez Calabuig,
    BA (Hons) Graphic Design

    Chaplaincy

    The Chaplaincy Service at UAL offers pastoral and spiritual care to students and staff. The chaplains also organise events and activities in relation to faith, spirituality and the arts.

Get involved

  • Illustration of a man on a mountain
    Image by Gracie Dahl

    Find a job

    UAL can help you to find paid employment during or after your studies through Arts Temps and Creative Opportunities.

  • Students with tutor pointing at spatial designs
    Alys Tomlinson, Your guidance can help others to achieve their goals.

    Get involved with Arts SU  

    Arts SU supports and represents the diverse student community at UAL. They advocate for marginalised student communities and run societies providing opportunities to meet like-minded people and explore your interests.

  • Illustration of a person surfing on a credit card.
    Money by Gabriele Lorusso

    Careers advice for students

    Explore the full range of ways we can support you with your career, from making money while you study to preparing for the world of work.

  • Illustration of three people drawing.
    Collaboration by Gracie Dahl

    Careers advice for graduates

    Our advisors and resources can support you with identifying your career path, applications and preparing for interviews.

Stories

  • A dark wooden table takes up the whole image. At the very top of the image there is a wooden cutting board with cut orange slices. To the left of the image there are two bowls, each with a colourful retro print napkin in the centre. The middle and bottom right of the image feature a poster printed with various fruits and vegetables, and the top of the poster reads “My Likkle Kitchen”. On the right next to the poster there is a wooden spoon and a gold whisk.
    Yeshen Venema,

    Home: Creative Shift x not just a shop

    Creative Shift and not just a shop came together to commission students to design a range of homeware inspired by the theme ‘home’ and what emotions this elicits for them.

  • Emmanuelle looks directly into camera, they are wearing earrings with the sun on, have blond braids and a nose ring.
    Emmanuelle Iroakazi,

    LGBTQIA+ Showcase Competition  

    The LGBTQIA+ Showcase Competition is a collaboration between not just a shop and Arts SU. Students from across UAL were invited to submit a piece of artwork that encapsulated LGBTQIA+ History Month.

  • A man painting on canvas.
    Mohammed Adel painting in the studio. Photo Alys Tomlinson

    Artists decolonise museums  

    This ongoing project lead by Artquest explores how the colonial legacy in UK museums, collections and archives can be addressed.

  • Illustration of hands on a table
    Gradcast: Real stories from UAL

    Gradcast: Real stories from UAL  

    A podcast series created by UAL graduates. These candid stories explore creative career journeys and life after graduation.

Stay in touch with Careers and Employability

Links

Contact

Email

careers-employability@arts.ac.uk