Student in bright yellow hoody smiling outside College Building

Graduate Competencies

Middlesex University is committed to supporting our students to develop the skills and attributes for the world of work, ensuring that they step into the workplace with a 'felt' sense of confidence, an authentic purpose, and the ability to clearly showcase what makes you unique to employers

Future-proofing our students for the world of work

Our new MDX Graduate Competencies are the fundamental building blocks in preparing our students for their professional careers. They were developed by our Careers and Employability service through extensive research and collaboration with global, national, and local employers, as well as input from student groups across our campuses in London, Dubai and Mauritius.

The Graduate Competencies form the foundation for learning outcomes within our course portfolio and are embedded within every programme’s learning, teaching and assessment activities.

In addition to being integrated across our programmes and modules, the university provides significant support and a variety of career-enhancing opportunities for you to develop and practically apply the competencies. Examples include:

  • Working on-campus through Unitemps
  • Securing a part-time job in the local community
  • Completing an internship or placement
  • Volunteering or work shadowing
  • Undertaking CPD courses via LinkedIn Learning or similar
  • Getting involved in Students’ Union activities and societies
  • Becoming a Student Voice Leader, Student Learning Assistant or Student Ambassador

When joining Middlesex, you already come with a unique skillset. Through your Middlesex journey we will help you to identify and articulate these strengths and add to them, so that you will stand out to employers. Through your programme and beyond, we will help you to boost, deepen your understanding and leverage these the skills, behaviours and attributes that make up the Graduate Competencies, supporting you to confidently showcase your value in every professional setting.

Our Graduate Competencies

Everyone can be a leader.
Our students are empowered to take initiative, make an impact, and lead by example. Through cultivating strong relationships within your programme and beyond, you will have the opportunity to lead by example, whether through a formal leadership position or otherwise.

Your journey of discovery starts at Middlesex.
With a passion for knowledge, MDX students are empowered to embrace curiosity to understand the world and seek new insights. You will be encouraged to think boldly, stay curious, and use your learning to create positive opportunities for yourself and those around you.

Connect, understand, and inspire.
MDX students become skilled communicators who value empathy and inclusivity. With the ability to engage people from all backgrounds - we have over 140 nationalities across our global community - you will demonstrate trust, respect, and a sense of community wherever you go.

Achieve more together.
We provide the environment for you to excel in team settings and thrive in diverse groups to drive innovation. With courses and assessments that focus on creativity and collaboration, you will have the chance to develop ideas that inspire positive change and have lasting impact.

Turn challenges into opportunities.
Our students are resilient and adaptable who have experienced setbacks, but remain equipped to face these going forward with confidence and determination. You will learn to navigate change, grow from challenges, and stay focused on your goals.

Solve, create, and deliver results.
MDX students tackle real-world complex problems and are freed to approach these with creativity and resourcefulness. Through practice-focused learning and assessments, you will have the opportunity to provide high-quality solutions that meet today’s needs and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

Lead with technology.
We want our students stay on the cutting edge of advances in society, using technology to innovate, streamline and solve complex issues. Your curiosity will make you prepared to leverage digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to be efficient and effective in an ever-evolving world.

Nurture ideas, embrace innovation and inspire change.
At Middlesex, we empower you to approach challenges with creativity, initiative, and a drive for innovation. MDX students are equipped to identify opportunities, take calculated risks, and turn ideas into action. You will learn to navigate uncertainty with confidence, developing the resilience and strategic thinking needed to create a meaningful impact in your career and beyond

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Middlesex Graduate Competencies

What do our employer partners say about our Graduate Competencies?

Ogilvy
People holding the Ogilvy sign

Without a doubt all of the above competencies are key for our ever-evolving workplace. Not only do they reflect what we can't function without today, but we are also placing our bets on these being the competencies we need from graduates and all levels in the medium and long term as well, especially in the fields of marketing, advertising and consultancy.

Students gathered around a PWC representative at a Career Fair
PwC

The skills are all building blocks for someone who can approach problems with the curiosity and resilience to develop ideas and plans to address those problems. Very often the problems presented in our working world are as much about getting people to come together / work together as they are about technical issues. With regard to digital skills, a basic level of competency in use of some relevant digital tools is expected, a curiosity to learn more is needed, and in some situations deeper specific expertise is needed but you'll know that in any case if it’s a route you are pursuing for your career.

Warner Bros. Dicsovery
Two ladies representing Warner Bros Discovery, at a stall during a Career fair.

We look for Graduates to show a real eagerness to learn above all, other skills are a bonus but if graduates are keen to learn and try new things we find they thrive in the workplace regardless. At Warner Bros. Discovery, we look for candidates who have a passion for our industry and eagerness to learn new things. You don’t need to have experience in this area, but demonstrating that you have researched the company and the role and that you are willing to try new tasks that may be out of your comfort zone will set you apart from other candidates.