ACE Internships last for 111 hours across 6 weeks averaging around 18.5 hours per week. They are currently paid at £11.44 but this is likely to increase as the National Minimum Wage rises. You must be a current DMU Leicester undergraduate to apply. Applications are now closed but will re-open in November 2025. Although temporary, these opportunities can often lead to longer term roles for our students within their host companies afterwards; the long-term impact of this short-term role can't be underestimated.
The Frontrunners scheme is a great way for you to boost your employability whilst studying, offering paid internships, working on real tasks, with current DMU employees. Its aim is to provide you with the opportunity to gain some key experience that will boost your CV when it comes to applying for graduate roles.
The scheme runs across the same cycle each year. All positions are based either on campus or close by to enable you to successfully benefit from some great experience whilst still being able to commit fully to attending classes and completing coursework. The internships are for 10 hours per week (arranged flexibly around your timetable) and paid at £11.44 per hour.
How to apply
Applications are currently closed, but will be opening in February 2026. We still welcome any queries that you may have regarding the scheme via email at frontrunners@dmu.ac.uk and we will be more than happy to assist however we can.
The Frontrunners scheme operates a full, competitive recruitment process and is structured to ensure that all applicants will benefit from the experience, either by being successfully placed, or by being given the relevant feedback to assist in future applications.
The next round of internships will be starting October 2026 and running for a total of 21 term weeks ending in March 2027.
A student's perspective
Why did you choose to study at DMU?
As a mature student interested in Nutrition, DMU was the best option for me as it was the only university in my area to offer a Nutrition Bsc. Going to the Open Days and meeting the programme leads was amazing as everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Having left school at 15, I had to go back and get my GCSE’s in a couple of subjects, which affected my confidence; but the programme lead and my personal tutor went above and beyond to help support me on my journey and helped me set achievable goals. The environment provided by DMU is so important not only for academic success but for personal growth, regardless of your background.
What employability initiatives did you get involved in whilst at DMU?
I got involved in university life – I took up course rep position, and became a brand ambassador for two years. I also volunteered at a food bank during lockdown through the university. In my second year I got the opportunity to be part of the Frontrunners scheme on a research project in Dr. Breda’s lab. My worked revolved around looking at genetics in neurodegenerative disease - particularly in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
How did they benefit you?
My time as a Frontrunner was amazing and a brilliant learning opportunity which enabled me to get some hands-on experience in the lab. My supervisor Dr. Breda took the time to teach, encourage and challenge me out of my comfort zone. At the beginning of the scheme I listed areas I’d like to work on, confidence being my top priority. Dr. Breda really took this on board and helped me build it up by pushing me to explain things to other students and work out problems for myself instead of giving me the answers.
What has your Frontrunners internship led to?
At the moment I’m doing a Summer student research project from the Physiological Society. The project consists of a grant totalling to £1700 of which £1000 went to myself and £700 to the lab. I had the opportunity to come up with my own idea to execute, which is something I didn’t think would be a possibility when starting my degree.
My supervisors Dr. Breda and Dr. Marisole Da Boit were of great help when it came to securing this project.
My journey is proof of how far you can come by having a good support system and taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Currently helping me on the project is Zuza, who is a Medical Science student taking part in the Frontrunners scheme in the upcoming term. She is passionate and hardworking and we will both be taking part in the British Science Festival as Brand Ambassadors, which is being hosted at DMU.
Graduate Champions is a paid internship scheme for DMU graduates to help provide the opportunity to gain relevant graduate level experience in the search for permanent employment. The scheme is now open for applications.
Graduate Champions internships last for 6 weeks, and average around 18.5 hours. They are paid at £11.44 per hour. The applications for 2024 graduates will open in May 2025. Eligible graduates will be emailed when they can submit an application. Although temporary, these opportunities have often led to longer term roles for our graduates within their host companies afterwards; the long-term impact of this short-term role can't be underestimated.