Category: Careers

‘It took me a long time to get a sense of what I wanted to do’: David Nicholls shares his insights into a remarkable writing career

Posted on by Grace

David Nicholls (BA 1988, Hon DLitt 2016) is an internationally renowned novelist and one of the UK’s most successful screenwriters. His five books include the bestselling novel One Day which he adapted into a film in 2011 starring Anne Hathaway, and Starter for Ten which he adapted into the 2006 film starring James McAvoy and Rebecca Hall.

Among his notable screenplays, he has adapted Edward St Aubyn’s Patrick Melrose novels, Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D’Urbervilles and he has a Netflix series coming out this year based on One Day. Having graduated from the University of Bristol with a Theatre and English degree in 1988, David returns to his university to speak to Theatre and Film & TV students, and shares some remarkable insights into a fascinating career.  (more…)

Bristol alumni recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list 2023

Posted on by Grace

Every year the New Year Honours list recognises the achievements and services of extraordinary people that have made a commitment to our society. This year is no different with 10 of our remarkable Bristol alumni being recognised for their services to education, community, science, young people and more. We are extremely proud to showcase their achievements and recognition.

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2022 Alumni Award winners for Business and Industry: Eldar (BSc 1996) and Roy (BSc 1992) Tuvey

Posted on by Grace

Brothers Eldar and Roy Tuvey are at the forefront of cyber security and pioneers in the world of enterprise solutions. After both graduating with Economics degrees in the 1990s, they co-founded internet security company ScanSafe, the first cybersecurity company to deliver web security software online. They have since established Wandera, a global leader in mobile security and data management and more recently Vertice, designed to help finance teams manage their software spends.

Eldar Tuvey, one half of the sibling duo to win the 2022 Alumni Award for Business and Industry, shares some of his secrets to success. (more…)

2022 Alumni Award winner for Transformative Philanthropy: James Alexandroff (LLB 1979)

Posted on by Asli

University of Bristol law graduate James Alexandroff (LLB 1979) has focused his energy and professional experience in creating a model of philanthropy that is sustainable and effective. We spoke to this year’s Alumni Award winner for Transformative Philanthropy about his personal journey and his approach to philanthropy. (more…)

2022 Alumni Award winner for Global Impact: Dr Sarah Fane OBE (MB ChB 1989, Hon 2022)

Posted on by Asli

Dr Sarah Fane OBE (MB ChB 1989, Hon 2022) has dedicated her life to improving the health and wellbeing of children and women across the world. In 2002, she founded the charity Afghan Connection (AC) which supported some 500,000 children through health, education, and sport programmes. Under her leadership, the charity immunised over 72,000 women and children, built or renovated 130 schools and trained more than 1,000 teachers.

In April 2020, with the projects sustainable and the Taliban threatening to charge taxes to NGOs, Dr Sarah Fane decided to bring the charity to a close. She is now the Director of the MCC Foundation, the charitable arm of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lord’s and continues to support children all over the world through the power of cricket. She told us about her memories of working in Afghanistan, what inspired her to study medicine and how it feels to win the Alumni Award for Global Impact. (more…)

Applications open for student telephone fundraising team!

Posted on by hanako.peace

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We are currently recruiting for student callers to work on our Spring 2023 Telephone Fundraising campaign. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly team in which you can build your skills, make a difference, and gain fundraising experience. Applications can be submitted through our online form.

If you’re an enthusiastic, reliable, team player who is comfortable speaking over the phone then we’d love to hear from you!

As a telephone fundraiser you will call Bristol graduates to discuss what’s new at the University, what they’ve been up to since leaving Bristol, answer any questions they may have, and ask for a charitable donation. It’s an important and rewarding job. In 2021/22 our team of student callers raised more than £160,000 for Student Scholarships. Click here to read more about the amazing things you’ll be helping to support through telephone fundraising.

Working hours and pay 

We are proud to be a Living Wage accredited employer, and you will be paid £11.21 per hour plus 12.07% holiday pay. All students are paid in arrears for the previous month’s work on the 26th of each month, or on the previous working day if this falls on a weekend or bank holiday.

The Spring Telephone Fundraising campaign will run from Saturday 4 February to Sunday 26 February 2023. We ask our callers to work for the full duration of the campaign, completing an average of 12 hours each week.

To take part you must attend compulsory in-person training sessions from 9am – 4pm on Saturday 4 February and Sunday 5 February.

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‘I was so happy when I found out I had been awarded the scholarship’: Lauren Hutfield on her Black Bristol Scholarship

Posted on by Ellie


Lauren Hutfield (BSc 2021) is studying for an MSc in Development and Security and is in receipt of a Black Bristol Scholarship. Here, she explains how the scholarship has impacted her and her plans for the future. 

At the end of my undergraduate degree here in Bristol, I didn’t feel like my friends who said: “I’m done with uni!”. I wanted to go on and do more – I still felt like I had that in me. But you can’t get the same kind of loan for tuition fees for your master’s as you can for undergraduate studies, so finding funding was crucial. I was the first of my siblings to go to university and my family have been really supportive in encouraging me in what I want to do, but without the scholarship it would have been really hard.

I was so happy when I found out I had been awarded the scholarship. I knew that it would be competitive to get, so I was really surprised, and relieved as well, because it took the pressure off. I didn’t have any worries about trying to find part-time work and I could just focus on the master’s, which is a lot more challenging than my undergraduate course. My results this year have definitely reflected this, because I’ve been able to put in the time I needed to do the work.

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Alumni Interview: Asha Mohammed (MBChB 2019), Junior Doctor

Posted on by Asli

Junior doctor and activist, Asha Mohammed (MBChB 2019) graduated from the University in 2019. She’s since been given a Wonderful Woman Award and named as a Future Leader in recognition of her commitment to tackling gender based violence. We spoke to her about life as a doctor, her efforts to combat gender-based violence and her belief in in youth activism.

Why did you study medicine and how has your course shaped who you are?

I studied medicine because it is a versatile profession that is challenging, requires lifelong learning and good interpersonal skills. You’re always interacting with patients and colleagues from different teams and every day feels different. I like to think my passion was sparked from my interest in human biology and my desire to do a job that was fulfilling and one which would make a positive impact on society.

I love the mental challenges of the job and the breadth and depth of the subject. I am excited by the prospect that my learning and performance has a direct impact on the patients that I treat. I love the closeness that I get with not only my patients but also their families, and the impact that I can have on their lives.

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