Ulster University - Employability & Graduate Futures

Congratulations to the Ulster EDGE and EDGE Excel Award Class of 2026🎓🤩

In the coming weeks over 220 graduates will be receiving their Ulster EDGE Award or Ulster EDGE Excel Awards at our graduation ceremonies.

Achieved by engaging in over 1000 (!) additional, approved, extra curricular activities this cohort demonstrate adaptability, a growth mindset, an ability to manage time and multiple commitments simultaneously and most of all... a motivation to be the absolute best version of themselves.

From employability related activities to giving back to their local communities, and from subject specialist experiences to sporting achievements, the EDGE have done it all. Congratulations!

‼We are moving from Handshake to UU Futures!

Ulster University is excited to announce that we are changing the central digital platform you will use for jobs, placements, careers fairs and 1-1 expert career coaching.

Before the end of June, UU students & graduates and employer partners will receive an invite to access our brand new UU Futures Platform😎

UU Futures will be your number one platform for accessing jobs, placements, employer connections and events, careers fairs and our expert 1-1 career coaching service.

Stay tuned...more news coming soon🤩

Thanks for coming to NI Grad Fair 2026😎

The NI Grad Fair, hosted at Ulster University Belfast, was a major success in bringing the Class of 2026 and hiring employers together. Over 60 employers and 900+ graduates from across Northern Ireland created a positive and engaging buzz throughout the day.

Remember, if you are graduating from Ulster University you have full and ongoing access to our Employability & Graduate Futures services, including access to 1-1 coaching. If you are struggling with your next career move, please email [email protected]

Sustainable Innovation Challenge 2026✅

What an experience for our 20 Year 1 undergraduate students and 5 postgraduate students who represented Ulster University and QAHE in Manchester. Over 2 days, joining 80 other students from Liverpool, Manchester and Berlin, they developed solutions to a sustainability themed challenge set by none other than Manchester City Football Club.

Tours of the Etihad Campus, hearing from local experts on the challenge context and working with students from different subjects, year groups, countries and cultures, the students were AMAZING.

What a great experience and another achievement completed for the Ulster Graduate Award.

If you want to use extra curricular experiences and achievements to complete your Ulster Graduate Award visit https://ulster.ac.uk/graduateaward

Celebrating our EDGE Award Postgraduate students👏

A big congratulations to over 100 international postgraduate students on the successful completion of the Transferable Research and Writing Skills EDGE Award programme!

This extra curricular programme, designed and delivered by The English for Academic Studies Centre helps students develop their academic and employability skills.

Congratulations to everyone involved!🤩

From Student to Freelancer Workshop! Building a Brand, Winning Clients, and Pricing with Confidence👇

Hosted by Matt Dowling, founder of the Freelancer Club!
📆28th May 2026 | 2:30pm - 4pm
💻Virtual (via Teams)

Whether you’re thinking about launching a side hustle or already earning money from your freelance skills, this workshop will help you position yourself clearly, attract the right clients, and price your work with confidence.

Matt Dowling is a 4x Founder, influential thought leader, and sought-after speaker who has redefined the freelance sector. As the founder of Freelancer Club, he has built a pioneering community-driven platform that empowers freelancers through cutting-edge resources, professional development, and high-value job opportunities. Matt and his team have equipped thousands of freelancers with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the evolving world of work.

Register now via https://ulster.joinhandshake.co.uk

Celebrating 5 years of Enterprise Placement Year!😎

This week at Stormont, we celebrated five years of the Ulster University Enterprise Placement Year Programme, bringing together students, graduates, business leaders, policymakers and partners to recognise the impact of student entrepreneurship across Northern Ireland.

Since 2020, the programme has supported students to build businesses, create opportunities and shape the future of work through innovation, enterprise and creativity. Well done to our inspirational student and graduate entrepreneurs!👏

If you are interested in entrepreneurship visit https://www.ulster.ac.uk/student/entrepreneurs

1000+ students have registered!😎 Have you?

The NI Grad Fair, sponsored by Bank of America, is just 2 weeks away! We are officially fully booked to employers meaning over 60 graduate employers from across sectors and locations are attending to speak to the Class of 2026 and other recent graduates.

📆Tuesday 2nd June 11am-3pm
📍Ulster University, Belfast

This event is delivered in partnership by Ulster University and Queens University Belfast.

Find out more and register via https://nigradfair.org. Free return transport is available from Derry~Londonderry and Coleraine. You can register your interest in this on registration.