University of Leicester commits to preparing students for the world of work

The University of Leicester has taken an ambitious step to prepare every single one of its undergraduates for the world of work.

From September 2026, all campus-based, undergraduate students completing the whole of their programme at Leicester will receive a guaranteed minimum 100 hours of employer-informed Work-Related Learning (WRL) as part of their studies.

This places Leicester among the first UK universities to offer a sector-wide guarantee of meaningful, structured, real-world learning for every student, regardless of background, discipline, or career goals.

The WRL Guarantee ensures all Leicester graduates will leave with applied experience, tangible skills, and the confidence to articulate what they can do – all of which are attributes increasingly demanded by employers. It will also open up opportunities for Leicester graduates to secure work-based experience with employers.

Students will have the opportunity to complete at least 100 hours of ‘learning by doing’ through activities tailored to their discipline. Activities could include: live briefs and consultancy challenges; professional simulations; practical lab work; fieldwork or community-based projects; problem-based learning; virtual internships; work shadowing; design sprints and hackathons; industry-validated project work and portfolio development with employer input.

Students will also be supported to get the most from their work-related learning. For example, through guest lectures that provide insights into career pathways and professional behaviour, and learning activities that help them to reflect on their strengths and skills and articulate these effectively to graduate employers.

All of the work-related learning will be employer-informed, meaning it will have been shaped by partnerships, advisory input, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body criteria, industry expertise or direct employer involvement.

Work-related learning is already embedded in a number of courses at Leicester. It is anticipated this approach will improve student outcomes, increase confidence and enhance understanding of career pathways. It represents the type of meaningful, well-supported work-related experience that the University aims to make universal across all disciplines.

University of Leicester President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “We are proud to guarantee that every Leicester undergraduate will have a guaranteed opportunity to complete substantial, high-quality, employer-informed work-related learning as part of their degree. This initiative ensures that all students – regardless of background – have access to meaningful experiences that help them develop the skills, confidence and insight needed to thrive in the workplace.

“We have worked closely with employers, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, and our academic community to embed experiences that are academically rigorous, authentic and aligned with industry expectations. The result is a distinctive learning environment where real-world tasks reinforce subject knowledge and enhance graduate outcomes.”

The University will continue to expand its network of employers and partners over the coming year, offering multiple routes for organisations to get involved.

The WRL Guarantee aligns with Leicester’s mission to empower students as Citizens of Change – graduates who are skilled, confident, and able to apply their learning to global challenges. The University will continue to evaluate and refine WRL delivery, ensuring it remains responsive to evolving industries, technologies and employer needs.