Run by the National Mentoring Consortium (NMC), the Ethnic Minority Undergraduate Scheme (EMUS) provides Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities (BAEM) students from some 15 UK universities with an insight into the expectations large employers have of prospective employees.

The University of Bedfordshire launched its EMUS programme in November 2013, with the first 21 participants matched with a mentor employed by a major organisation, ranging from the Metropolitan Police to ITN News.

Khadija Hassan, a third year Psychology undergraduate at Bedfordshire, said: “The National Mentoring Consortium project has been a great experience where I have increased knowledge and further enhanced my skills and career prospects. This project has inspired me to become a mentor one day.”

Other scheme benefits included opportunities for participants to review their Curriculum Vitae and improve their understanding of their chosen career path.

“The scheme has so far been really successful. All Student participants have grown in confidence and realised personal achievements, underlining the power and impact of the mentoring relationship,” said Trevor Sinclair, Access Partnership Lead Officer at Bedfordshire, who recruited the students alongside his colleague Gabi Gabriel, Access Partnership Support Officer.

“I am confident the scheme will continue next year, while there is an ambition to expand the number of places in order for the scheme to reach a wider audience.”

An organisation that aims to promote equality and diversity in graduate recruitment and to enhance the employability of BAEM students, the NMC was founded in 1994 at the University of East London.

The 2013/14 EMUS programme concludes at NMC’S annual ceremony at the Royal College of Engineering in London next month, where Bedfordshire second year Psychology and Criminology student, Bethany John, has been nominated for Mentee of The Year.