Fantastic talent flows out of Derby University every year, going straight into graduate jobs. But at the same time, there are huge numbers of bright students, often from underrepresented and under-privileged backgrounds, who don’t have the confidence to apply to the high-flying corporate graduate schemes in the market.

For them to keep hold of their brightest and best, and to offer them equally high calibre graduate employment opportunities, the University launched its first Future Talent ‘fast track’ graduate scheme in 2023.

The challenge

The University of Derby wanted to launch a new graduate programme, across their corporate functions, with up to 12 places aimed specifically at their own students. Inclusivity and reaching out to students from diverse backgrounds was important, as they felt there was a lot of under-representation among University employees. 

They had plenty of communications channels to use to promote the schemes, and also internal support and resources to do this.

But the main challenge was in establishing a clear and compelling proposition for the schemes. And continued working at the University, instead of applying to external graduate recruitment schemes. And then articulating this creatively in a way that would stand out in a very crowded market.

We needed to add value creatively, and ensure the campaign worked in the first year it was launched!

We landed on a creative concept called ‘the best of both worlds’:

On the one hand you have…

– The opportunity to realise your leadership potential in a top-notch graduate scheme, making a real difference within an ambitious institution.

– A challenging placement, with the opportunity to test and stretch yourself (certainly not ‘the cushy option’) – and gain professional qualifications

– A salary that’s been benchmarked with equivalent schemes elsewhere

– Masses of variety and hands-on involvement in exciting projects across the campus and beyond