51Âþ»­

A career-enhancing exam, travel expenses for job interviews and an academic-led overseas experience - just some of the ways students are putting their Employability Award to good use.

Marketing student Hannah Javid

The award, introduced earlier this year, offers final-year undergraduates at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) £100 to help towards the costs of securing employment.

The money is already making a difference.

student Hannah Javid said her £100 cheque has enabled her to pay for an exam that will benefit her career, having already landed a job as a marketing analyst with GI Insight after a placement year with the customer marketing company.

She said: "I used mine to pay for the IDM Certificate in Direct and Digital Marketing exam, which will take place in June. It's an optional extra of the course and costs £100 to enter, so it's perfect!

"I wasn't sure I'd do it because of the cost, but because I could spend the Employability Award money on it I thought it would be silly not to do it.

"It will add something extra to my CV and shows my extra commitment. It will also help me in my marketing role and, hopefully, help me advance more quickly."

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The Employability Award is just one of the improvements being made as part of the , which aims to ensure students have the best time possible at university. 

student Kinari Shah has also put her award to good use.

She said: "Being a final-year student and receiving a £100 employability award was extremely beneficial.

"I used my £100 towards smart workwear, which I can use for future interviews.

"I am also going to put some of the money towards the Accounting and Finance trip to Berlin. This amazing opportunity will allow me to gain experience and adapt to a different financial environment."

Accounting and Business Management student Kinari Shah

For student Rebecca Knight, the financial boost will help with interview expenses.

She said: "I have used the £100 to pay for my train tickets to go to North Wales for a job interview and smart clothes for an interview in April for a summer job."

student Jonathan Venpin has also used his award to finance transport to and from assessment centres and interviews.

He said: "With all the high-end technology, study facilities and state-of-the-art buildings and international experiences through #51Âþ»­global, 51Âþ»­ is continuously surprising me, helping all third-year students get £100 for employability."