Record number of students sign up for DMU’s Freelancer programme

A record number of 152 students signed up for DMU’s Future Freelancers programme, which supports students and graduates to understand the workings and benefits of being their own boss. 

According to a recent report, 60% of young people want to be their own boss by the age of 30. Addressing the demand, DMU Made (part of Careers Team) recently launched a supersized version of its popular ‘Future Freelancers’ programme which is offered to all students and recent graduates.

If you needed any further proof of the immense student and graduate appetite for freelancing and self-employment in 2025, it can be found right here on DMU Campus. 80 DMU students and recent graduates packed out Mill Studios for the launch workshop in DMU Made’s extracurricular ‘Future Freelancers’ programme, with even more in attendance for week two.

The sessions involve participants discussing a range of Freelance-related topics and presenting their views back to the room

The initial one-hour Future Freelancers workshop, the first of twelve in this comprehensive and wide-ranging free programme, mixed vital information with fun, interactive elements. As well as learning essentials about the finer points of registering a business, participants worked together to discuss topics associated with getting started as a freelancer.  In week two, the students explored ways to define their niche and develop unique selling points to help their ventures stand out from the crowd.

Simon Baines, Entrepreneurship Manager said “DMU is rich in students studying subjects that align with freelancing, such as photography, film, performing arts and graphic design.  More interestingly though, we’re seeing a growing number of students from courses such as medicine or engineering getting involved in our initiatives, which is fantastic to see.   Given the number of our graduates entering self-employment, this year we enhanced our Future Freelancers programme to allow more students to participate. We have been blown away by its popularity, and to have eighty students turn up in the first week was a real signal of how switched on our community is to the changing world of work”.

The students and recent graduates who have been filling out a buzzing Mill Studios lecture studio for two weeks in a row are also full of praise for the programme. Alethea Petropoulos, a second-year Psychology student enrolled on Future Freelancers said “I would definitely recommend that other DMU students join the programme. I joined Future Freelancers because I hope to one day be my own boss, whether that means starting a business and employing others or going the Freelance route. The skills and knowledge I will gain in the programme will serve me well in any future career I choose”

The Future Freelancers get to grips with another discussion point during the second workshop

In addition to the weekly workshops, the programme also offers access to the DMU Made Studio, a creative workspace located in the Kimberlin Library (first floor), plus one-to-one support and group co-working.  There’s even a ‘Future Freelancers’ DMU Global trip to Norway planned for February.

Still time to get involved

For those registered on the programme, and those signing up before the final deadline of November 12th, the coming weeks’ Future Freelancers workshops will sharpen your entrepreneurial skills in essential areas including: 

·        Personal Branding 

·        Defining Your Offer

·        Pitching and Winning Clients

This year’s programme cumulates with a celebration within the next DMU Freelancing & Entrepreneurship Awards, which takes place on campus on 10 February 2026. For more details including how to nominate for the awards and how to secure a free ticket, please visit https://www.dmumade.com/take-part  

Students will receive a wealth of vital Freelance-related information during this comprehensive 12-week programme

DMU Made is a small team within Careers Team that offers competitions, programmes, events and one-to-one support for students on any course, and recent graduates.  If you would like support in registering a business or registering as self-employed, you can make an appointment with the team via My-Gateway.dmu.ac.uk