Explore It
Explore It gives you the opportunity to apply for up to £500 to explore a business idea. This could include buying equipment or producing a prototype to test out a concept, product, or service.
You can start your application on MyCareer.
Go From Zero: Freelance and Business Start-Up
Thinking about starting your own business or freelancing?
Many of our students go on to either work as freelancers or to run their own business after graduating.
We can support you at any stage, whether you’re getting your idea off the ground or accelerating an existing business to the next level.
Developing a business idea or freelancing is also a great way to develop your skills, confidence and industry knowledge as you explore the best career path for you.
Get support from the Careers and Employability team
We offer one-to-one appointments to help you at every level of starting a business or freelancing. You don’t even need an idea: if you’re interested in self-employment, we’ll help you to explore what might be right for you. That’s why we’re called Go From Zero: we support you right from the start.
Funding for your business
Our flagship Explore it! Launch it! Grow it! funding programmes offer up to £5,000 together with coaching and support to help you take your business forward.
Funding is available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students resident in the UK up to two years after graduation.
Starting a business can be lonely, so community is a key focus of all our programmes. You’ll be part of a supportive network of students and graduates through:
- Peer-to-peer networking,
- Group coaching,
- Social events,
- Full-day intensive workshops,
- An end-of-year showcase for funding awardees.
Current students and graduates can find out more about the Explore It! Launch It! Grow It! funding programme on MyCareer.
Juno House Freelancers
Interested in freelancing? Then you'll want to join Juno House - a creative consultancy that bridges the gap between university and the freelance world. Juno House will help you step into your next chapter with confidence, clients, and cash in your pocket.
At Juno House, students and recent graduates are paid to work on briefs sourced from local businesses, charities, and organisations. Briefs could include:
- Branding and design,
- Academic and research projects,
- Community and sustainability initiatives,
- Strategy and storytelling
...and that’s just the start! If BSU teaches it, Juno House can deliver it.
You wouldn’t be doing it alone: every brief is backed by an experienced industry mentor to guide the process and make sure that work hits professional standards.
Current students and recent graduates can find out more about Juno House on MyCareer.
