Services for students

The University, through the Student Enterprise Team, supports students and recent graduates to develop their business ideas, build the skills and confidence for starting and succeeding in your business, or any business. 

Develop skills you need as an entrepreneur 

Before you start your journey as an entrepreneur, students can join our student-led Entrepreneurs Society to develop an entrepreneurial mindset while having some fun with like-minded peers. We also offer placement and internships, volunteering, and community projects for students to gain experience, put the skills they have into practice and expand their professional network.

Our blog is full of stories from VENstudents sharing their work placement and internship experiences.

“I came here not knowing whether I would like to become a producer or a writer/director. After I’ve been involved with several products I fell in love more with directing while also realising that producing is not for me.”  

Amina, a Film and TV Production student, worked as a Creative Intern at The Walt Disney Company in her placement year. Read Amina's blog to find out more about her experience of the application process and how the placement has benefited her career-wise.

Start your entrepreneurial journey

Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur or learning more about entrepreneurship? We have the Explore Enterprise, a five-week programme that will teach you all about starting your own business through weekly interactive workshops with like-minded people. Students also get to put everything they’ve learnt to practice in a pitching competition at the end. 

This programme is open to all UoY students across all courses and year groups.

"It's not only for student entrepreneurs, it's for people looking to develop their employability skills as well."

Spencer, a Chemistry student who joined Explore Enterprise, found his passion in pitching and presenting. Watch Spencer's vlog to find out his thoughts on the Explore Enterprise Programme. 

Test your business ideas

Once you have your idea and a brief business plan, we have the Proof of Concept Fund of up to £500 to help test your business idea, along with detailed feedback & suggestions to improve your business. In addition, our Summer Accelerator programme provides a living allowance of £1500, access to workspace, business coaching and support from the university during summer vacation, for you to explore whether your business idea would work in the long run.

“We had all these questions without any solutions. Without the Summer Accelerator programme, we wouldn’t be in an environment where we can just focus on getting the market feedback and start working on our MVP.”

Senam, a Biotechnology student, shares his story of starting his business selling music on GMP Beats, with help from the Summer Accelerator programme. Watch Senam's vlog to find out how the Summer Accelerator Programme pushed his business forward.

A range of internal departments and external organisations provide support through a variety of programmes. We have experience of working with the following programmes: 

• Biovale Entrepreneurship programme
• Ingenuity partner programme
• Conception X venture programme for PhDs

Launch your business with our support

When you are ready to launch your business, access our Expand Enterprise online courses that cover all key aspects of early business development, including value proposition, user research, and market fit.  Students in the Expand Enterprise courses will be rewarded with a certificate and invited to join Phase One Incubator Programme, open to pre-startups or businesses less than 12 months old within the creative and technology sector.

Student entrepreneurs in their final year of undergraduate study are eligible to join our Year in Enterprise programme to get academic credits while building their own businesses. During this nine-month programme, you will have access to a professional business coach, your placement supervisor, a free workspace in Phase One and networking opportunities. 

“Through Venture One, my partner and I learnt about creating a business canvas and really solidifying our vision and strategy for the business. The support from enterprise team has really helped me develop as a person, as an entrepreneur and as a business person I am today.”

Isabella, a Business Management student, won Venture One and received an investment for Elxr Skin, the business she co-founded. Watch Isabella's vlog to find out about her experience with Venture One.