Oxford Careers Programmes Shortlisted for Graduate Futures Awards 2026
The Careers Service is committed to developing innovative and impactful programmes that support Oxford students in building skills, gaining experience, and exploring future career paths. We are delighted to see this work recognised through two shortlists at the Graduate Futures Awards (the GRAFTAs).
The Graduate Futures Institute is a community of careers and employability professionals from over 150 universities across the UK and Ireland. The awards celebrate excellence in graduate careers and employability, and we are proud to have our work recognised alongside outstanding programmes developed and run by colleagues from other universities.
Our Making a Difference programme has been shortlisted for the External Partnerships Award, while the Summer Internship Programme has been shortlisted for the Excellence in Work-Based Learning Award. Both programmes provide University of Oxford students with valuable opportunities to develop skills through practical experience with real organisations, whether through projects with charities and social enterprises or internships with organisations in the UK and around the world.
Making a Difference shortlisted for the External Partnerships award
Making a Difference is a practical skills development programme for Oxford University students, offering insight into the charity and social enterprise sector through interactive sessions, guest speakers, and a real-world project with a partner organisation.
On the Making a Difference programme being shortlisted for the External Partnerships Award, Jonathan Black, Director of the University of Oxford Careers Service, said:
The Making a Difference team at Careers is thrilled to have been shortlisted for this national award for our innovative programme. 300 students applied for the 100 places, so we realise we have tapped into a rich seam of student interest in supporting mission-driven organisations. Thanks to the work of Niamh Walsh and Fiona Sinclair, students worked in teams to deliver 2,000+ hours of consultancy, valued at £80,000-£115,000 to external organisations who would not be able to afford such services. In the classroom, Rebecca Robins brought an energy and enthusiasm that engaged everyone and inspired students to explore careers in the sector where they could really make a difference.
The Summer Internship Programme shortlisted for the Excellence in Work Based Learning award
The Summer Internship Programme offers 2 to 12 weeks paid or funded internship opportunities in the UK and internationally for the summer vacation. The internships available through the programme are exclusively available to Oxford University students.
On the Summer Internship Programme being shortlisted for the Excellence in Work Based Learning award, Dr Fiona Whitehouse, Head of the University of Oxford Internship Office said:
We are incredibly proud of the impact the Summer Internship Programme has on Oxford students each year. Through the hard work of the Internship Office and particularly Alice Gable and Georgia Kogel, and the commitment of our internship hosts around the world, students gain meaningful professional experience, develop valuable skills, and explore career paths they may never otherwise have considered. Being shortlisted is a wonderful recognition of that collective effort.
Graduate Futures Awards
The winners will be announced at the Graduate Futures Awards awards ceremony on 2 July 2026 in Nottingham, held as part of the Graduate Futures Institute's annual conference.
