Job Description/Duties
This is part of the following Scheme
Exclusive to LeedsAbout this role
Start Date: Mid-October 2026
End Date: June 2027
Hours per week: 5-7 hours
Faculty/Service: Faculty of Environment & Social Sciences Employability Team
Location: Hybrid (at least 50% of working hours will be worked on campus)
Salary: £13.87 per hour
Number of positions: 2
Closing date: 23:59, Wednesday 7th October 2026
Experiential learning plays a central role in helping students connect academic theory with practice, develop professional skills, build confidence, and prepare for future employment. Across the faculty, students have opportunities to engage in a wide range of experiential learning activities, including employer-led projects, live briefs, community-based learning, placements, fieldwork, simulations, research projects, volunteering opportunities, skills development workshops, and professional networking events. These activities are increasingly important in supporting student success, employability, and personal development.
The project will provide additional capacity to support the growing number of experiential learning opportunities being delivered across programmes and disciplines. The two student interns will work closely with academic and professional services colleagues to help ensure that activities are effectively organised, communicated, and delivered. Acting as student partners, they will bring valuable insight into the student experience and help ensure opportunities are accessible, engaging, and responsive to student needs.
The interns will support a range of activities, including coordinating events and projects, liaising with students and external partners, preparing resources and communications, supporting participant engagement, and assisting with operational and administrative processes. They will also help gather and analyse feedback from participating students, employers, and community partners, contributing to the ongoing evaluation and enhancement of experiential learning provision.
In addition, the interns will play an important role in identifying opportunities for improvement, sharing examples of effective practice, and developing resources and processes that support the sustainable delivery of experiential learning activities across ESS. Their work will help strengthen communication, improve the student experience, and ensure that opportunities are delivered efficiently and consistently.
A significant aspect of the role will involve supporting the organisation and delivery of experiential learning activities embedded within programmes and modules. This may include assisting with the planning and coordination of employer-led projects, live briefs, community-based learning initiatives, workshops, events, placements, volunteering opportunities, and other experiential activities. The interns will help ensure activities are delivered efficiently and provide a positive experience for all participants.
The interns will assist with project planning and administration, including scheduling activities, managing communications, preparing resources, coordinating logistics, maintaining records, and supporting event delivery. They will work with colleagues to ensure projects run smoothly and that students receive timely information and support throughout their participation. Acting as a student partner and point of contact, the interns will help address student queries, provide guidance on participating in activities, and support engagement throughout the delivery process. They will also contribute to communications and promotional campaigns designed to raise awareness of opportunities and encourage participation from a diverse range of students.
A key element of the project will be collecting, analysing, and reporting on student feedback and participant experiences. The interns will help design and administer surveys, facilitate focus groups or informal consultations, and identify themes and insights that can inform future improvements. By reviewing feedback and evaluating activities, they will contribute to evidence-based recommendations that enhance the quality and impact of experiential learning provision.
To support the long-term sustainability of experiential learning activities, the interns will help develop resources, guidance materials, templates, and processes that can be used by colleagues across the faculty. These outputs will help establish consistent approaches to delivery and support the continued growth and embedding of experiential learning within the curriculum.
The internship will enable the interns to:
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- Develop project management and organisational skills through coordinating activities, managing competing priorities, tracking progress, and supporting the delivery of multiple projects and events
- Build confidence in professional communication and enhance stakeholder engagement by interacting with students, staff, employers, community organisations, and other stakeholders
- Gain practical experience of event and project delivery, including planning, logistics, administration, promotion, and participant support
- Strengthen problem-solving and decision-making abilities by helping to address challenges and identify practical solutions that improve the student experience
- Develop skills in evaluation and research, including collecting feedback, analysing data, identifying themes, and making recommendations for improvement
- Improve digital and communication skills through the use of Microsoft 365 tools, promotional activities, content creation, and information management
- Gain experience of working within a professional higher education environment, providing valuable insight into how universities design and deliver student opportunities and support services
- Develop teamwork and collaboration skills by working with colleagues across different departments and disciplines.
The role will also provide interns with a deeper understanding of experiential learning, employability, and student engagement. By supporting activities such as employer projects, placements, community-based initiatives, and skills development programmes, the interns will gain first-hand insight into the opportunities available to students and the impact these experiences can have on academic success and career development.
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- A current University of Leeds student for the duration of this internship (including postgraduates and those returning from work placement or study abroad years)
- A proactive and enthusiastic approach, with a willingness to take initiative and contribute ideas
- A strong interest in enhancing the student experience and supporting opportunities that promote learning beyond the classroom
- Professionalism and reliability, demonstrating responsibility, accountability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work
- Adaptability and flexibility, with the ability to respond positively to changing priorities and project needs
- Confidence engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including fellow students, academic staff, professional services colleagues, employers, and community organisations
- A collaborative mindset, with a willingness to work in partnership with others and contribute to shared goals
- A reflective approach to learning and development, demonstrating openness to feedback and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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- Experience supporting events, projects, student activities, or volunteering initiatives
- Knowledge of or interest in experiential learning, employability, student engagement, or community-based learning
- Familiarity with stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
How to apply
Apply by submitting your answers to the 4 questions listed below.
Please do not submit a CV or covering letter as these will not be considered as part of the application process.
Once you’ve read through the job spec, click ‘Apply Here’ to the right of the page and you will be prompted to answer these questions:
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What appeals to you about this role and why have you chosen to apply? (150 words maximum)
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What skills/experiences have you gained from your studies, voluntary work and/or paid work that you feel would help you to be successful in this role? (300 words maximum)
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What do you feel you will gain from undertaking this internship? You may wish to identify any skills gaps you have and how the role might enable you to develop those (150 words maximum)
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How would this internship contribute to any future career plans you might have? (150 word maximum)
While the use of tools like AI is not automatically a disadvantage what matters most to the shortlisting panel will be whether applications feel personal, reflective, and clearly rooted in your own experiences and voice. The strongest applications use any tools thoughtfully while still making it clear who you are, what you’ve learned, and what you’re hoping to gain from the opportunity.
The Careers Service can check your application for you. Peer Support Assistant drop-in appointments run from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday during term time. Alternatively, you can book an Application Support appointment, and all appointments can be booked by clicking on Appointments on MyCareer.
Eligibility:
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You must be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of the placement. Information is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ or from the International Student Office on campus http://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10500/international_students/877/international_student_office
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Please note - as a current student applying for a work opportunity, you’ll need to be aware of any work restrictions that may apply to you. For more information, please refer to the University of Leeds ‘Work Restrictions’ page: https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/1000099/work-volunteering-and-your-visa/695/work-restrictions
This details restrictions for both home and international students so please read the information provided carefully, regardless of your status.
Support for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health conditions:
We want to make sure that all candidates have equal access to our recruitment and selection procedures. If you have a disability, impairment or long-term health condition that may affect your ability to submit an application, or if you need any adjustments to be able to attend an interview, take part in the selection process or to carry out the job you are applying for, please send details to the Work Based Learning & Partnerships team at workbasedpartnerships@leeds.ac.uk This will enable us to make any reasonable adjustments. Any information provided will not inform any part of the recruitment and selection process.
Organisation
University of Leeds
Education
Do you want to join our diverse community of talented people? Can you contribute to our innovative and collaborative culture? Would you like to work for one of the world’s most successful international universities?
At the University of Leeds you’ll have the opportunity to share your ideas and develop your career as you help realise our 2014 – 2020 vision of Investing in Knowledge and Opportunity - the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge.
Today the University is an independent corporation established by Royal Charter. Its objects, powers and framework of governance are set out in the Charter and its supporting statutes, amendments to which must be approved by the Privy Council.
We are a research-intensive University which strives to create, advance and disseminate knowledge, develop outstanding graduates and scholars and to make a major impact upon global society.
The standard of excellence to which we aspire means undertaking research of international quality which makes a real difference to knowledge, its application and the way in which our society thinks and functions.
The strength of our academic expertise combined with the breadth of disciplines we cover, provides a wealth of opportunities and has real impact on the world in cultural, economic and societal ways.
The University strives to achieve academic excellence within an ethical framework informed by our values of integrity, equality and inclusion, community and professionalism.
The Leeds Internship Programme works with local Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), charities and multi-national organisations to advertise paid opportunities, exclusively for University of Leeds students. We also work with University departments advertising on campus opportunities, meaning you could stay in Leeds for your internship or placement year.