Graduate with
more than a degree
The Lab offers the chance to work on real-life challenges set by businesses, integrated into your university degree. It gives you applied experience, professional skills and a real-world portfolio that employers are looking for.
Not just another assignment.
Instead of learning about challenges from a textbook, you'll be helping solve them.
You will…
work alongside industry and education partners to experience the world of modern work first-hand. You'll explore genuine problems, collaborating with others to test ideas and develop practical solutions.
Build a skillset that employers value
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork
- Confidence
- Resilience
- Application of knowledge
From challenge to portfolio in three steps
Join a Challenge
Browse real world challenges matched to your course and choose one that sparks your interest.
Investigate the Problem
Work with your team to explore your chosen challenge under academic supervision, with guidance from the industry experts.
Build Your Response & Show What You’ve Done
Solve the problem and deliver real business impact, adding to your portfolio in the process.
A degree shows what you’ve studied, The Lab shows how you apply it
Real Industry Experience
Work on genuine, live challenges from real organisations, not case studies.
Build Your Portfolio
Demonstrate what you can do, not just what you’ve studied.
Connect with Potential Employers
Gain an insight into the world of work and receive feedback from industry professionals who work with the challenges you’re tackling.
Confidence & Capability
Develop the confidence to approach complex and unfamiliar problems head-on.
Be Ready for what Comes Next
Stand out in graduate recruitment and interviews with evidence of real-world impact.
Want to get involved?
Register your interest
We'll let you know when your department is live with The Lab.