OxAbility - Information for Employers

OxAbility is a careers development programme launching in Michaelmas term 2025. The programme provides voluntary learning and development opportunities for students who have a disability, long-term health condition or neurodivergence.

With one in three Oxford students now registered with the University Disability Advisory Service, this initiative offers inclusive careers programmes tailored to students’ needs. OxAbility offers a wide variety of benefits to both the employer and the student.

How organisations can get involved

There are two ways employers can support the OxAbility programme. Firstly, you can offer a five-day learning and development (work experience) opportunity at the end of each term, in December/April/June. Secondly, you can put forward mentors from your organisation, which allows students to connect with someone who has experience of working with a disability.

Students can apply to take part in the work experience placements or the mentoring: they are separate offerings

About the work experience programme

Each five-day placement provides students with an opportunity to observe and assist with a clearly defined project, that will allow them to develop their sector knowledge and employability prospects. By helping complete these projects, our students significantly develop their skills and gain work experience insights that they may have not have had chance to experience before coming to Oxford.

OxAbility placements are five days' long and take place at the end of each academic term, in the students' vacation periods. Although they are voluntary and unpaid, Oxford Careers Service has secured funding to reimburse students with both local travel (inclusive of bus journeys between Oxford and London) and lunch expenses.

About the mentoring programme

Once a student is matched with a mentor, they will meet three times during the academic year – either in person or online. The mentor will have experience of navigating the workplace with a disability and will be able to help the student with questions they may, eg around sharing a disability – if, when and how – or asking for adjustments. 

Timeline and key dates 

The OxAbility programme runs three times each academic year, coinciding with the vacation period at the end of each Oxford University term (December, March and June).

Once the application deadline has passed, the Careers Service team match Oxford students to a host organisation. We put you in touch with your student and ask you to organise a short introductory virtual meeting prior to the placement week, to ‘meet’ the students. This call is an opportunity for hosts and interns to make necessary arrangements, provide details of the project and discuss working patterns and any reasonable workplace adjustments. 

The Careers Service team will deliver a training workshop for hosts approximately a month before the placement starts.  

Who is eligible to apply?

Current, matriculated University of Oxford students (undergraduate or postgraduate).

My question is not answered here!

If you cannot find the answer to your question, please get in touch on hello@careers.ox.ac.uk.