The Graduate Project: A Model for Embedded Employability in Arts and Humanities Undergraduate Education.

Abstract

This chapter discusses the Graduate Project. a final-year module on the BA (Hons) History programme at Bournemouth University (UK), as an example of employability-oriented education, embedded in an undergraduate degree programme in UK higher education. The Graduate Project sees students work in small teams to design, develop and deliver a project, event, or resource for an outside organisation (‘the client’). Responding to the client’s brief, students manage their project, their workload, and their team, with support and supervision from the university and client, before presenting and transferring the final project output over to the client at the end of the module. As a result of the Graduate Project, students gain a wide range of employability skills and experiences beyond these normally associated with a BA history degree, all of which can be featured on their CVs, discussed at job interviews, and otherwise improve their confidence in their skills and abilities for the world of graduate employment. The chapter also suggests that the Graduate Project has further added value beyond employability education, in supporting university’s efforts in public engagement, co-production, and research impact agendas. The chapter concludes the ways in which the Graduate Project model has potential wider application in employability education, with suggestions for its adaptation and implementation to other arts, humanities and social science undergraduate programmes to embed, expand and enrich undergraduate employability opportunities and experiences to support students’ future careers.