Elevate
Welcome to Elevate
Elevate is Kingston University's award-winning careers and employability accelerator programme for our students from Black British, African, Caribbean or Black mixed heritage.
About Elevate
Elevate was launched in 2020 to address the degree awarding gap and disparities in graduate outcomes between Black and White students, which persists across higher education despite entry qualification, course of other demographic factors. At Kingston University, in 2021–22, there was a 25.4% gap between White and Black students getting a first or 2:1 degree.
Elevate is part of our whole institution approach to tackling racial inequity, which includes making our curricula and services more accessible and inclusive, embedding Future Skills at all levels, academic support activities, staff development and interventions-focused mental health and wellbeing.
Our approach and ambitious targets are outlined in our 2024–25 to 2027–28 Access and Participation Plan, and featured in our successful Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award submission.
Opportunities through Elevate
Elevate offers students opportunities to:
- Discover employer opportunities such as insight days, mentoring, work experience, placements, paid internships and graduate jobs.
- Join events with alumni and other professionals to learn from their insights.
- Become part of a community of students, alumni, staff and employers.
We work with organisations that have a commitment to racial equity, and also build strategic relationships with influential individuals in the Black community. 2022–23 saw 96 students secure a paid opportunity, placement, or mentorship with Amazon, Coca-Cola, Circl, Deloitte, KPMG, Marsh McLennan, Microsoft or Santander, some of our partner organisations.
Elevate celebrations
Elevate 3-year celebration in October 2023 was an amazing event to connect students, staff, alumni and professionals.
Read more about our celebration >
Save the date for our next celebration:
- Tuesday 15 October 5–9pm
- Penrhyn Road Town House KT1 2EE.
Please email Elevate if you would like to speak at the event.
Themes of our events
Our events focus on these themes:
- Black leaders in industry enables alumni and other professionals to share their insights.
- Industries uncovered increases awareness of sectors that present the biggest barriers for Black students to access.
- Spotlight on employer highlights Elevate partner organisations and their opportunities.
- Personal development workshops enhance transferable skills, personal development, wellbeing and confidence.
- Networking events build a community and increase a sense of belonging.
Getting involved
If you are interested in getting involved or becoming an employer partner, please email elevate@kingston.ac.uk and connect with us on LinkedIn @kuelevate
Below are some ways in which professionals and employers can get involved:
Employers and organisations
The ELEVATE programme defines an employer partner as an organisation that demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Organisations must meet at least three of the following criteria:
- Offer work experience, internships, or placements to students of Black heritage.
- Provide access to mentoring schemes for students of Black heritage
- Use inclusive recruitment practices such as contextual recruitment or blind screening.
- Offer employee affinity groups or staff networks, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity in your employee workforce.
- Have strategic goals to improve the representation of Black heritage employees.
- Recognised at industry level for commitment to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Student reflections
I was excited when I received the email rom the Elevate Team about the opportunity to join a Marsh McLennan placement. The application process was straightforward. I am glad that I got selected as this will give me the opportunity to have practical experience."
Oluwatosin, Law Student
The Elevate events I attended were informative and it was nice to see people who were successful in careers I am thinking of going into when I complete my degree."
Zahra, Biomedical Student
Thank you Careeta (life coach for an Elevate personal development workshop). I enjoyed the session today and was able to capture key takeaways that I will use in the future. It was really helpful."
Thanks to a life coach
Watch this video to find out more
Hear from our Elevate students who have taken part in the programme.
Employer reflections
Offered diverse opportunities across industry – Deloitte, Amazon and Microsoft. Access employee affinity groups demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity. 30+ students applied for opportunities through Elevate 2022-23.
Frances Thought, Founder of Everything D&I
Provided 16 students paid placements alongside 1:1 legal and compliance mentorship 2022–23. Legal and Compliance in office work experience. Industry workshops across Marsh McLennan and Oliver Wyman Group. CV creation and job application support.
Andrew Bainbridge, Deputy General Counsel Legal & Compliance, Oliver Wyman Group
I am grateful to the Elevate and Kingston University team for the opportunity to speak to the students from various courses and levels of study. Sharing my journey and insights with them was an honour and privilege. Receiving such positive feedback from the students means the world to me. It is great to hear that the advice I shared resonated with them and was timely for those currently navigating their entrepreneurial ventures or seeking personal and professional growth.
Nicholas 'Dex' Amfo-Gyamera, Lifestyle Entrepreneur and Founder of ODF Clothing
Awards
Elevate won Best Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (EDI) programme at Global Careers Summit 2021.
Elevate won Best Widening Participation Initiative in the National Undergraduate Employability Awards 2022.
Elevate was recognised as a key factor in Kingston's award of Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold status in 2023.
Stay connected
- LinkedIn: @kuelevate
- Instagram: @ku_elevate
- Email: elevate@kingston.ac.uk
