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Career mentoring

As a student at Leeds, you can be mentored by a professional who has studied a similar course or works in an industry you want to enter, who’ll offer you one-to-one career advice and guidance, both short- and long-term.

Each scheme is different, with some aimed at students in certain years or on specific courses. If your application is successful, you will be matched with an alumni or employer professional, a talented individual who can help you to:

  • develop professionally and personally 
  • gain industry connections
  • boost your confidence when applying for career-related opportunities, completing job applications and interviews
  • focus your career goals and take the next steps.

We’ll connect you with your mentor once per month for the duration of the scheme – this can be in person or online, depending on the type of scheme.

Our mentoring schemes

Explore each mentoring scheme to learn what it is and how you can apply:

Biomentoring

On this scheme, we’ll help you connect with a professional alum or employer mentor if you’re a student in the School of Biological Sciences.

  • Who can apply: Undergraduate students in the School of Biological Sciences.
  • Scheme dates: Tuesday 20 October 2026 to Friday 25 June 2027.
  • Induction: Online on Wednesday 14 October (2–3pm) or Thursday 15 October (4–5pm). Please note: to join the scheme, you must attend one of these induction sessions.
  • How to apply: Applications for the 2026/27 academic session are now closed.

eMentoring

This is an online scheme that connects students with alum mentors in their industry of interest.

The scheme is open to all undergraduate students from any degree background. Mentors are required to be University of Leeds alum who have at least one year of industry experience, in any industry.

  • Who can apply: Any undergraduate student in any year of study.
  • Scheme dates: Monday 2 November 2026 to Friday 7 May 2027.
  • Induction: Online, during week commencing 26 October 2026 (dates TBC). Please note: to be matched with a mentor, you must attend the induction session. 
  • How to apply: via MyCareer. Applications close on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

Leeds Connect

Leeds Connect is a streamlined, short-term option for those seeking specific career-related guidance from University of Leeds Alumni or employers. It’s ideal if you aren’t completely sure about the type of career you might want, as it offers the chance to receive insights from experienced industry professionals.

The scheme is open throughout the academic year – and you can join even if you already have a mentor. 

  • Who can apply: International and UK students (undergraduate and postgraduate taught) who have an interest in working either in the UK or overseas after they graduate.
  • Scheme dates: You can register on Leeds Connect throughout the academic year from Wednesday 7 October 2026.
  • How to apply: For more information and to sign up, visit Leeds Connect on MyCareer. 

Next Steps – Postgraduate Mentoring Scheme

Next Steps connects postgraduate students with alum or employer mentors in their industry of interest. This scheme exclusively supports underrepresented students from the University of Leeds’ Plus Programme who are completing a taught Masters. 

  • Who can apply: Any postgraduate student on the Plus Programme.
  • Scheme dates: Tuesday 17 November 2026 to Friday 25 June 2027.
  • Induction: Online, during week commencing 12 or 13 November 2026. Please note: to be matched with a mentor, you must attend the induction session. 
  • How to apply: Apply now, via MyCareer. Applications close on Tuesday 27 October 2026.

Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme (NTMS)

Connects students with alum or employer mentors in their industry of interest. The scheme is open to undergraduate students in any year who are part of the Leeds University Business School (LUBS) or parented by the school. 

  • Who can apply: ​​​​​​Any undergraduate student on a Business School (LUBS) course.
  • Scheme dates: Tuesday 20 October 2026 to Friday 25 June 2027.
  • Induction: Online on Wednesday 14 October (2–3pm) or Thursday 15 October (4–5pm). Please note: to join the scheme, you must attend one of these induction sessions.
  • How to apply: Applications for the 2026/27 academic session open from Tuesday 2 June 2026, until Sunday 5 July 2026. Apply via MyCareer.

PwC Female Mentoring Scheme

On this scheme we’ll connect you with a professional working at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Leeds.

  • Who can apply: Any undergraduate Lifelong Learning student/Plus Programme student,​ in any year of study, who identifies as a woman or non-binary person.
  • Scheme dates: Wednesday 18 November 2026 to Friday 25 June 2027.
  • Induction: Wednesday 18 November 2026. Please note: to be matched with a mentor, you must attend the induction session. 
  • How to apply: Apply now via MyCareer. Applications close on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

PwC Diversity Mentoring Scheme

On this scheme we’ll connect you with a professional working at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Leeds.

  • Who can apply: Any undergraduate student from a minoritised ethnic background, in any year of study.
  • Scheme dates: Wednesday 18 November 2026 to Friday 25 June 2027.
  • Induction: Wednesday 18 November 2026. Please note: to be matched with a mentor, you must attend the induction session. 
  • How to apply: Apply now via MyCareer. Applications close on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Hear from former mentors and mentees

Hear from former students and volunteers about mentoring on our careers blog: 

Read top tips about making the most of mentoring:

Get in touch for more information

If you’d like to hear more about any of our mentoring opportunities, please visit MyCareer or email the Mentoring team at mentoring@leeds.ac.uk.

To receive tailored career support, you can book an appointment with our Careers Service in person or online. You can also follow the Careers Service on Instagram.

Experiences and opportunities