Express your interest in the Elevate Career Mentoring Programme by 16 January 2026.
Shortlisted for a prestigious Herald Diversity Award, Elevate is a your opportunity to explore new career paths, gain professional insights, and plan your next steps with confidence.
To get the most from Elevate, you should be:
- Motivated to develop your employability
- Open to ideas and feedback
- Committed to participating in the programme
- Expected to take the lead by contacting and engaging with your employer contact
Choose from three streams with different levels of time commitment to suit your needs. There are 120 places available in total on our 2026 programme.
Three Elevate streams, three different levels of time commitment
Our 2026 programme offers three streams to choose from. State which of these streams you would like to apply for in your Expression of interest:
Stream 1: Elevate Career Mentoring – March to June 2026
- 4 sessions with your paired professional Mentor working in a career you’re interested in.
- 2 career support sessions with an OU Careers and Employability Consultant.
- A Certificate of Participation on completion of the programme.
Stream 2: Elevate Career Insights – from March 2026
- A one-off meeting with a professional or employer in a sector you’re interested in. Gain first-hand information about a particular industry or job role with less time commitment than Stream 1 or 3.
Stream 3: Elevate Work Shadowing – from March 2026
- A one-day virtual experience observing a professional in their role. You’ll gain a better understanding of what their job involves. You’ll spend the day watching how they work, asking questions, and gaining valuable insights into the sector and role.
Choose the stream that's right for you
| Question | Stream 1: Mentoring | Stream 2: Insights | Stream 3: Work shadowing |
| How clear are you about your career direction? | I have some broad ideas but I can benefit from a number of sessions to work on clear steps to move forward. | I have a career in mind but I'm not sure how to get there or want more insight | I have a clear idea and want real-world exposure. |
| How much time can you commit? | 4 sessions – over 4 months | One-off (1 hour) | One full day |
| How confident do you feel about talking to professionals? | I’d like ongoing support to build confidence | I’d prefer a short, focused conversation | I’m fairly confident and ready to observe in a real workplace |
| What kind of experience do you want? | Personalised advice and development | General information about a role or sector | Observing a job in action in a real setting |
Check your eligibility
To apply for one of the 120 places available, you must meet one of these criteria:
- A level 2 student who either:
- is of Black ethnicity, or
- has declared a mental health disability and lives in an area with a lower index of multiple deprivation (IMD).
- A student on one of the following scholarships:
- Disabled Veterans' Scholarship
- Carers' Scholarship
- Sanctuary Scholarship
Our commitment to diversity and strength in difference
The Open University’s mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We value and promote diversity in employment. We recognise that different people's perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture brings great strength.
The OU has many areas in which we need to improve and do better. One focus is on the gap in outcomes between students from underrepresented groups and the wider student body. It is not students’ lack of skill that has created this outcome gap, but societal barriers that we can help you navigate.
In providing our support and services, we recognise the importance and value of difference, and strive to tailor our offering to better meet the needs of our diverse student population.
Express your interest in the Elevate Career Mentoring Programme by 16 January 2026.
