Careers
Our courses are outward looking with a focus on people and places, and our students regularly engage with real-world contexts. Employers value our students because of this approach as they graduate with skills that have been developed in real settings.
Our graduates are very successful in gaining employment after their studies and our aim is to fully prepare them for their future career throughout their course. In the latest destinations survey over 96% of our graduates entered employment or further study within six months of graduation*. Our graduates are sought after by employers worldwide who recognise that our students have excellent transferable skills.
I began work at Hawkins/Brown Architects soon after completing my final year. I had collaborated with them as part of the China Live Project, so I had a good knowledge of their ethos and aims.
Sarah Habershon
MArch Architecture
Careers support
The University’s Careers Service works closely with the school to help students build on the excellent range of skills which they develop throughout our courses and to support them in seeking graduate employment.
Tailored careers advice is provided to guide students on the production of CVs, portfolios and how to approach interviews in the architecture profession. We support our third-year students before they undertake their year in practice placements by identifying employment opportunities and providing an insight on what to expect. We also offer support to students throughout their placements to help them make the most of their practice experience.
Mentoring
We work with the Royal Institute of British Architects on the RIBA Mentoring Scheme which gives second-year students the opportunity to make professional connections and gain insight into working in architectural practice. Our students can also participate in e-mentoring with Sheffield graduates within the field of architecture or in other disciplines for which an architecture degree is relevant. Graduates provide students with insight into their job, the skills it requires and also give advice on CVs, interviews, networking and getting ready for employment.
Opportunities
The University offers opportunities for students to develop skills that will benefit their studies and enhance their employment prospects.
Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) offers undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study the chance to be directly involved in research activity at the University of Sheffield, working in partnership with an academic staff member on a dedicated ‘real life’ research project during the summer vacation.
On Campus Placements are an opportunity for students to work with an academic or professional services department on a project-based, 100-hour placement. The aim is to give students the chance to use their up to date knowledge and skills on a real project and also be supported in their development.
Professional networks
We have excellent links with the architecture profession through our industry partnerships and our network of graduates. Our students benefit from regular tutoring and guest lectures by practising architects whilst our Visiting Practice Professors, who lead some of the UK’s top architecture practices, participate in Studio Reviews and provide feedback on final year projects.
Our students are also encouraged to build their own industry networks through our Summer Exhibition employer’s event where final year students meet architects who are looking to employ our graduates. We also hold regular alumni gatherings where former graduates can keep in touch with one another and the School.
A number of recent graduates are progressing through our practice and have played key roles on several wonderful award winning designs. We are fundamentally committed to continuing our important links with this outstanding school and its University.
Chris Harding
Architect, Chair of BDP and alum of the School of Architecture
*Figures for UK, full-time, First degree cohort in the 2016-17 Destinations survey