Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - Graduates

The KTP Associate role allows a graduate to be based within a company, whilst gaining specialist knowledge from the Academic mentor(s), to deliver a strategic project. Knowledge will be exchanged from the University Academic to the Associate who will then embed knowledge within the company.

Graduate benefits

Fast-track career development
Be part of one of the country’s largest graduate placement schemes
Receive a competitive salary
Apply your Academic Knowledge to a challenging project
Mentoring from the Company and Academic team
Receive a personal training and development budget of £2k per year
Gain a further professional qualification
Potential to gain a permanent job within the company (on average 64% of graduates are offered employment at the end of the KTP)

Get commercial exposure

The KTP Associate will be employed by the University of Sunderland but work within the company and will be jointly supervised by Company and University staff on a project ranging from 12 to 36 months. On average an Associate will receive 0.5 days per week supervision and support from the Academic team.

Approximately 10% of the Associates time will be spent in training and personal development. At the beginning of the project they will be assigned a travel and training budget to manage, empowering them to further enhance their CV with further development. Additional free training modules are available, covering personal development, project management, marketing, effective communication, finance and performance management.

A KTP provides an Associate with an opportunity to progress within a company generating management experience and commercial exposure at an early stage in their career. If you are interested in a KTP Associate role please check the University of Sunderland Job Vacancy section, where new opportunities will be advertised.

Here is what some of our recent KTP Associates said about working on a KTP Project:

“For me, the KTP role has really been a life-changing opportunity. I hadn’t heard of KTP’s until I applied for my role, however after the experience I have had, I recommend it to anyone – especially graduates as it’s a great bridge between university and ‘real life’. It is certainly a decision I will never regret”.
- Emily Mason, KTP Associate, Fontus Health

“A fantastic opportunity for me to undertake a massive project and learn how to become agile in today’s high demanding market as well as to learn real-time project management.”
Chris Ellsaesser - KTP Associate, Adept IT Solutions

“KTP is a great opportunity for recent graduates to enhance their knowledge of real-life commercial problems!”
Ximena Flores Gallardo Hodgson – KTP Associate, Cellular Solutions