Gaining work experience during your Master's degree can help you develop professional skills and explore career paths, although you'll need to balance this carefully with your intensive study schedule. Whether you're looking to enhance your employability for after graduation, explore a career change, or develop specific industry experience, there are various opportunities that can work alongside your studies.
Make the most of your degree
While not traditional work experience, don't overlook the professional skills you're developing through your academic work. If you're working on a dissertation or project, this is a significant piece of independent work that demonstrates valuable skills employers seek.
Whether you're conducting research, analysing data, managing a complex project, or solving real-world problems, these experiences are relevant to many graduate roles. Consider how your project showcases skills like project management, analysis, problem-solving and working independently. If your project involves industry collaboration or addresses a business challenge, highlight this in applications and interviews.
Micro Internships
Our Micro Internship programme offers one- to five-day learning and development opportunities exclusively to University of Bath students. These are paid opportunities and may take place either remotely or in person, depending on employer specification. The programme is designed to enable you to work without hindering your studies – every effort is taken to make sure the internships take place at the end of semester, so you can gain work experience even if you have a busy academic schedule.
Part-time work
Working alongside your studies provides regular income while developing valuable transferable skills. Whether in retail, hospitality, or administration, part-time work demonstrates your ability to balance commitments and often leads to increased responsibilities over time.
Many University departments hire students to work for them. This could be with Campus Services, a Professional Services team, or within an academic department.
You can find part-time jobs, including University roles, on the SU jobs board.
Be your own boss
Being self-employed can mean anything from freelancing to starting a small business. Many students begin with services like tutoring, design, or social media management, developing entrepreneurial skills while earning income on a flexible schedule.
Find out more about enterprise support at Bath.
Volunteering
Volunteering lets you support causes you care about while gaining valuable experience. It's highly flexible around your studies and can help you explore different sectors while developing transferable skills and building networks.
Find volunteering opportunities via the SU
Student groups and extracurriculars
Getting involved in student groups, societies, sports clubs and other extracurricular activities can help you develop valuable skills while pursuing your interests. Taking on committee roles lets you gain experience in leadership, event planning, budget management or marketing. As a regular member, you'll develop teamwork and communication skills through activities and events.
The SU offers lots of different groups you can join, from academic societies related to your course through to performing arts, cultural groups and competitive sports. You can even start your own society if you spot a gap.
Find groups and societies via the SU
Virtual and online work experience
You can build your skills online, and online work experience schemes have become increasingly common. They are popular as they offer flexibility and access to opportunities regardless of location. These programmes enable you to develop digital workplace skills and gain experience across multiple industries from anywhere.
Explore online resources to boost your employability on MyFuture.
Find virtual work experience platforms on MyFuture.
Other University opportunities
The University offers a variety of opportunities for you to get involved in various programmes around campus. Keep checking back on the work experience page and look out for communications from your departments.
Some regular opportunities include:
- Vertically Integrated Projects
- Campus Buddies
- Peer support schemes via the SU - there is a specific PGT Buddying scheme
- Consultancy Projects
Work experience tips
- Check MyFuture regularly - new opportunities are added throughout the year.
- Be realistic about your academic workload - choose experiences that complement rather than compete with your studies.
- Consider combining different experiences - part-time work, volunteering, and student groups will all help build your skills.
- Document your experiences and skills as you go - this will help when updating your CV and making future applications.
- Use MyFuture resources to help you every step of your career journey.
- Don't think you need to have all the answers straight away - short-term work experience like internships are a great way to try out an industry or role to see if it's right for you.
Developing your employability skills
There are a number of workshops and courses you can take to develop your employability skills while you're studying:
- Professional English for Employment: Exclusively for PGT students, this workshop series will help you get workplace ready by building your confidence in using workplace English and expanding your professional communication skills
- Workplace Essentials: This series of six practical, 50-minute workshops is designed to help you build confidence in the core skills employers value most
You can also use My Employability Profile to personalise your skills development and hone in on the key areas you want to build on.