The UK’s self-employment landscape and how to

support your students and graduates

What is Freelancing?

Freelancers are a sub-section of the wider self-employed workforce. There is no official, legal or commonly accepted definition of freelance

status which exists in the UK.

The shift in how people are working

Grad schemes Self-employment

One company careers

Multiple permanent jobs

Working project to project

Growth in Freelancing and SE

2008-2018

Sectors and Career options

The Student journey

Discover Focus ActiveFocus Active

Discover Focus Active

• Considering self-

employment as a

career option vs employment.

• Have a business idea and a plan.

• Researched what

clients they want to work with and

have trialed

working with clients.

• Freelancing/SE

either part time or full time.

• They have an

established brand.

• Have clients and are generating a

revenue

Challenges and Knowledge required

What support to offer?

Peer to peer mentoringJobs BoardCareers FairStudent societies/unionOnline learningPanel events

Networking opportunitiesBusiness plan adviceAccelerator programmeStudent consultancy1:1 advice

Freelance Perspectives

IPSE YouTube channel

Workshops – Introduction to Freelancing/SE

• Freelance landscape

• Risks and rewards

• Practical steps: Setting Up, Get Professional, Bookkeeping and Accounting, Marketing yourself, finding work and getting paid

• Is it right for you?

• Relevant sector case studies

• IPSE Student membership and available support (through resources, webinars, events)

Risks or challenges

• Getting the right work / life balance

• Can be lonely and stressful

• Winning work and getting clients

• Tax can be complicated

• Establishing and maintaining rates/competition

• Missing out on benefits provided in many permanent roles

• Responsible for all aspects of your business

• Dealing with irregular income

• Saving for later life

Rewards

• Be your own boss

• Flexibility

• Work/life balance

• You keep more of what you earn

• Personal development

• Variety of work and experiences

• Employability/Work Experience

• Do what you love and shape your own career

• Only 4% actively looking to return to full time employment

Tailor your language

1.Understand your target market

2.Find out what terms they identify with the most

3.Consider your marketing and communication

Top tips

● Increase visibility of self-employment as an option● Encourage employers to promote freelance opportunities as

well as full-time, part-time, internships and placements● Experiential learning - offer students freelance/contract work

at your university● Engage faculty as not just business or creative students● Provide a range of relevant and tailored support methods ● Signpost to both internal and external information● Identify the right language to use

Questions - Contact us