Xiaohongshu
Term three can be confusing and stressful. On the one hand, you feel like you have too much free time -- but on the other, there's always a nagging voice in your head telling you that you should be studying, revising, or figuring out your next steps.
If you relate to this, then you might be interested in the ExtendED Learning Programme. Running throughout May and June, it's packed with events designed to help you build real‑world skills through hands‑on activities. With a bit more breathing room in your schedule, it's the perfect opportunity to step outside your course, meet new people, and try things you don’t normally get time for.
Not sure what to go to? We've picked out five key events to get you started:
1. Innovation Fest (1-4 June)
Innovation Fest gives you the opportunity to solve a real business challenge within a Social Enterprise, developing vital career skills while genuinely making a difference. Across the four days, you’ll develop your own individual toolbox of social innovation knowledge and skills through workshops, talks and mentoring sessions. And, if you needed any more convincing, there’s even a prize. The winners of the challenge will each access a bespoke industry mentorship package with leading social innovation experts at Cambio Consultancy and BSI, launching their careers in social impact.
2. Ideas Sprint (10 June)
The Ideas Sprint gives you a chance to spend a day collaborating with London-based charities to tackle real challenges they’re facing right now. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at co-creating, come along. Using your own perspectives, you will co-create practical solutions that organisations can actually implement and apply in the local community. You'll learn the complexities of collaboration, communication and problem-solving when dealing with practical challenges, with the knowledge that your ideas contributed to something bigger.
3. Events Masterclass (4–5 June)
Tired of your plans never making it out the group chat? You're in the right place. This hands-on masterclass puts you in the role of an event planner. Respond to a real brief in teams: plan everything from logistics and budgeting to promotion and delivery, and then pitch your idea. And, if you're lucky, any ideas brought to the table during your pitch may well make their way into Students’ Union events next year.
4. Working in a Global World Series (May–June)
This mini module is designed to help you thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Across two complementary strands, you’ll explore what it really takes to work confidently across cultures and prepare for today’s international job market.
The first strand is Cross‑Cultural Communication: Beliefs, Values, Identity, where across four interactive sessions, you'll work with a diverse group of peers to explore how behaviours, expectations, beliefs, and values shape the way we connect. You'll learn how to collaborate effectively and with compassion in a professional, multi-cultural environment, and how to practical approach navigating difference and uncertainty.
The second strand is Preparing for Today’s International Job Market. In these sessions, you will learn how to boost your boost your employability in a global context. You’ll learn how to make your own “career luck,” build the three types of career knowledge (self‑knowledge, sector awareness, and application skills), and create practical action plans tailored to your goals. This is useful whether you're hoping to work in the UK or abroad; these sessions will help you understand what employers look for, how to position your strengths, and how to take confident next steps.
5. Practera Nano Projects (starting late May)
Want to get the consulting experience without selling your soul (for now?). Practera Nano Projects are a flexible, two‑week industry challenges where you’ll work in a multidisciplinary team to solve a real brief, either from an AI‑simulated client or an international employer. After an in‑person launch, you’ll collaborate remotely with your team between 26 May and 15 June, with structured checkpoints to keep you on track. These projects build your experience in teamwork, stakeholder communication, analytical thinking and project delivery, making them ideal to draw from in job applications and interviews.
You can choose between two types of challenges:
- AI‑Simulated Industry Challenge (approx. 20 hours): This is a great entry point if you’ve never done a consulting-style project before. You will respond to an AI 'client' and develop practical consulting, communication, and problem‑solving skills in a low‑pressure environment.
- International Industry Challenge (approx. 25 hours): Work on a brief from a real employer based somewhere in the world. Projects span several global industry issues: international business, growth strategy, sustainable impact, and technology innovation, giving you hands‑on experience in issues you're familiar with or even those that are new to you.
.... and much more!
If you're not quite sure what you want to sign up for yet, don't worry! These are just five suggestions, but with around 50 events and sessions available, there really is something for everyone. You can find out more about all of the events on the ExtendED Learning page. Don't miss out -- make sure to register by 4th May!