Futures Fest

What is Futures Fest?

Formerly known as Gradstock, Futures Fest is Middlesex University's new three-day festival of careers, industry engagement and professional development.

Bringing together employers, alumni, students and graduates, Futures Fest provides opportunities to explore career pathways, connect with employers, develop professional skills and gain valuable industry insight. Across the three days, students will be able to engage with recruiters, industry professionals and Middlesex alumni through a combination of careers events, networking opportunities, workshops, masterclasses and industry-led sessions.

With 50+ organisations expected to attend, students will have the opportunity to connect directly with employers from a wide range of industries, discover graduate opportunities, placements, internships, volunteering opportunities and gain valuable career insight.

Day 1 | Futures Fest: Careers Fair

Tuesday 27 October | 11:00am - 4:00pm

Employer exhibition and Alumni corner

Meet recruiters and representatives from more than 50 organisations from a variety of sectors. Speak directly with Middlesex graduates working across a wide range of industries. Learn about career journeys, gain industry insight, explore career pathways, build professional networks and receive career advice.

Professional LinkedIn photography

Get a free professional headshot for your LinkedIn profile, CV and future applications.

The Unexpected Cinema

You've been invited to something unexpected. 

One day. Four films. A different way to discover where your career could take you. 

Unexpected Cinema is coming to campus. 

We're turning career discovery into something unexpected.

Four original films. Four distinct words. Real career stories behind the screen.

And one of them might feel surprisingly familiar. 

Futures Fest Career Fest, The Quad.

Unlock the Director's Cut on the day. 

Day 2 | Futures Fest: Industry Insights

Wednesday 28 October | 11:00am - 4:00pm

Industry Insight

This day features a dedicated programme of on-campus and online Industry Insight sessions for students exploring careers across a range of sectors. The day will also feature Creative Pathways, showcasing careers and opportunities within the creative industries through employer-led sessions, alumni contributions and industry discussions.

Students will have the opportunity to hear directly from professionals, gain insight into recruitment processes and learn more about careers within a variety of sectors. Additional employers, speakers and workshop details will be announced closer to the event.

Day 3 | Futures Fest: Industry Insights and Global Programme

Thursday 29 October | 9:00am - 4:00pm

What's on?

This day features on campus and online employer-led workshops and masterclasses covering recruitment, employability, professional development and industry-specific career pathways.

Global Insights Programme

The morning programme, Global Insights, features a series of online workshops and an alumni panel connecting students from Middlesex University's campuses in London, Dubai and Mauritius.

The programme will explore international careers, global employability and insights from multinational organisations and international alumni.

Additional employers, speakers and workshop details will be announced closer to the event.

Career Fair Event Sponsors

Futures Fest 2026 is proudly supported by a range of employer and industry partners who help make this flagship careers and employability festival possible.

Sponsored By

The JENZA Group is made up for two work abroad brands in the UK. Founded by UK students in 1962, BUNAC is our dedicated Summer Camp USA provider – and is responsible for supporting thousands of 18-30s to upskill in the US each summer through our cultural exchange camp program. A certified B Corp: JENZA provides working holiday, international internship, visa sponsorship and ski season opportunities in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. Together we open up a world of work abroad opportunities for UK students, grads and 18-30s.

ConnECT London helps aspiring teachers find the right school to begin their careers. As the exclusive organisation working in partnership with Barnet Local Authority to deliver its ECT placement service, we have supported hundreds of Early Career Teachers into their first teaching roles since 2016. We connect primary and secondary ECTs with schools across Barnet, Camden, Haringey, Enfield, Harrow and the wider London area, offering opportunities across a range of school settings. Our personalised support includes career guidance, help finding a suitable role, and additional preparation and SEND training to help new teachers enter the classroom with confidence.

Norwood is one of the UK’s leading charities, supporting neurodiverse children, adults, and their families to live the lives they choose. Founded in 1795, we provide a wide range of services including family support, residential care, supported living, and community programmes. Our work is underpinned by kindness, respect, empowerment, and belonging, helping people build independence, wellbeing, and meaningful connections. Through our frontline and central support teams, we create positive outcomes for those we support while offering colleagues the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day.

Medtronic is one of the world’s leading healthcare technology companies, developing innovative solutions that improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. At Futures Fest, you’ll meet colleagues from our cardiac businesses, including Cardiac Ablation Solutions and Cardiac Rhythm Management, who work with technologies used to diagnose and treat heart rhythm disorders. Come and learn more about careers, Early Careers opportunities and roles combining science, technology and clinical practice. Registration link