Outstanding Student Support Award (Careers and employability): Coventry University London’s student-centred approach
June 30, 2026
5 minute read: read the blog to find out about how Coventry University London has embedded student voice to constantly improve and achieve a 100% work experience participation rate.
Coventry University London’s Careers & Experience Service was recognised with the #WeAreInternational Outstanding Student Support (Careers and employability) Award in 2025 for its innovative employability model.
It has helped more than 2,000 students secure meaningful work experience opportunities that are personalised and inclusive for all.
We spoke to the team about their approach, the importance of student voice and what others can learn from their success.
Embedding employability throughout the student journey
For the Careers & Experience Service, the starting point has always been clear. Danny Mirza, Careers & Experience Manager, told us:
“Since we opened our doors to students in 2010, our aim has been to deliver career-ready global enterprising graduates. In practice, this means that our programmes are infused with opportunities for students to acquire practical experience.”
The team works closely with industry and employers to ensure students can gain meaningful insights throughout their studies. They also work alongside academic teams to embed in-curricular internship modules and work experience opportunities to ensure employability is central to the learning journey.
Integrating student voice
Student voice informs and shapes their work. From regular check-ins to ensure experiences are high quality, to supporting students from the point of enrolment and offering opportunities to meet employers, student feedback plays a key role. Student representatives and academic teams also contribute to shaping their approach.
Danny explained:
“We are proud to work closely with our student body, continually gaining feedback which constantly evolves the work that we do. “
Diversifying approach to work-based learning
The Careers & Experience Service achieved a 100% work experience participation rate across 2,000 students, which it attributes to a diversified approach to work-based learning.
The team is responsive to employer needs, and offers a range of ways for employers and students to collaborate, while communicating the benefits that students can bring to participating businesses.
Danny said:
“Outlining the positives to participating businesses has also been key, this includes the fresh global perspectives our students bring, the opportunity to test new ideas, develop talent for the future, and source short-term staffing and project work in a proficient way.”
Building strong employer relationships has played an important role in creating opportunities and ring-fencing roles for students.
“Networking, referrals and making our processes as easy to navigate as possible have been key to our success.”
Addressing student expectations
The team told us that one of the biggest challenges has been helping students recognise the value of opportunities with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While many students understandably aspire to gain experience with multinational organisations, SMEs can offer the chance to develop a broad range of skills and take on varied responsibilites.
The team works to highlight the benefits of SMEs throughout the student journey, helping students to understand the unique experiences these organisations can provide.
What other careers teams can learn
The Careers and Experience Service highlighted the importance of helping students to understand the benefits of participating, as well as taking a moment to think from the employers' point of view:
- “Think about how you promote work-based learning opportunities to students. Create opportunity profiles which enable learners to truly understand the impact of participating.”
- “Look at your own processes through an employer’s perspective and ensure that they are truly supporting participation.”
The team also highlighted how their work aligns with the #WeAreInternational Student Charter. Rather than applying it as a separate framework, its principles are embedded throughout their employability offer through personalised support, inclusive access to work experience opportunities and a commitment to listening and acting on student feedback.
This award-winning model demonstrates the impact of putting student experience at the heart of employability and work experience, while building strong partnerships that benefit students, employers and academic teams.
Read more from other award winners, or find out how to nominate at awards.ukcisa.org.uk
