University of Huddersfield
The Career Development and Employability Studies Group at the University of Huddersfield
We are a long-established, highly regarded and forward-looking centre for postgraduate education and training of Careers and Employability professionals. Our programme was one of the first to be established when careers guidance in the UK was professionalised in the early 1970s. We are proud of that heritage whilst also being committed to being at the leading edge of professional education in our field.
Professional Education and Training
Our MA/PGDip programme provides students with the essential knowledge, skills and qualification to pursue a professional career in the fascinating and rewarding field of Career Development and Employability. Our graduates typically go into professional Careers and Employability roles in Universities or Schools and Colleges, though we have graduates in a broad range of setting including career development within the NHS and graduate talent management in one of the big four professional service firms. Some of our alumni are now in senior leadership roles in university careers services.
Directly linked to the profession in a buoyant job market
The teaching team are research active academics, involved in the creation of new knowledge and bringing the latest thinking to our students. At the same time, we have all done the front-line job, we all hold the qualification that we teach and we are constantly in touch with individual practitioners and employing organisations. Our connections enable us to bring the highest calibre of visiting speakers on to the programme, to facilitate student placements and projects and to receive numerous notifications of job opportunities.
The high profile of the employability agenda in universities, together with developments in careers work in schools and colleges has created a significant level of demand for qualified people in our field. The market is very buoyant. It is very common for our full-time students to have jobs awaiting them as soon as they complete the programme.
Location, location, location
Join us on our attractive and ideally located campus. Huddersfield is a substantial town, with all the facilities of a significant urban centre whilst being very close to the open countryside of the Pennines and the Peak District. The town is positioned roughly halfway between Leeds and Manchester. Students have easy access to those major cities, whilst enjoying a lower cost of living.
Whilst we have national and international reach through the distance learning version of our programme and our research collaborations, we strongly recommend that students with little or no prior experience of careers work should join the on campus programme. In addition to being able to access the campus facilities available to all students, you will be able to benefit from the specific support that we can provide for your development as a professional. This includes opportunities to get involved in developing professional practice through on campus careers and employability activities. Being in the middle of the major conurbations of West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire also provides access to numerous careers and employability organisations for placements and projects.
It’s about making a difference.
Our programme attracts students who want to make a difference to the lives of their clients and it prepares them to do just that. If this sounds like you, then get in touch.
