If you completed your studies from early 2023 you will likely already have a Handshake account set-up and you will be able to access your account using your student log-in details.

If you are in your final year of study you will need to update your account to include a personal email address (and make this your primary email address within Handshake) to make sure you can continue to access Handshake after you graduate. This is really quick to do by following the below steps:

1. Log-in to your Handshake account at beds.joinhandshake.co.uk
2. Once logged in click on your account icon in the upper-right corner of the Handshake screen, then click on Settings from the menu
3. On the page that loads, scroll down to the bottom of the Account Information section to 'Emails' and click on the link '+ Add another email'
4. A text box will appear in that space — enter the email address you'd like to add, then click Add to the far right of the text box
5. You will receive an email from Handshake asking you to verify your new email address

After you've added and confirmed your personal email address on your account, you will need to make your personal email address your primary email within Handshake.

• Follow steps 1 - 3 as outlined above
• Click the three dots menu to the far-right of the email address you would like to make your primary, then click on Make Primary.

After you have completed your studies your account will be updated and you will be asked to create a new password that you can use to log-in to the platform.

If you do not complete the above steps, you will lose access to your student account on Handshake and any saved information and applications once you have completed your course of study. If this happens please email careers@beds.ac.uk or call 01582 489 293 to discuss how you can continue to access the platform as a graduate.

If you completed your studies before 2023 you will need to register for an account in order to access Handshake – this is really quick and simple to do by following the below steps:

• Go to beds.joinhandshake.co.uk
• In the top right-hand corner, click on ‘No account? Sign in here’
• Enter your personal email address and click, Continue (Please do not use your student email to register for a graduate account. The email you specify will be where all correspondence from Handshake is directed)
• Follow the instructions to set up your graduate account (please include your Student Number in the registration form as this will allow us to confirm your account more easily)

Once you have completed the above tips, your account request will be sent to the Careers Team to review and approve (please allow up to 5 working days for account approvals).

Once your account has been approved you will receive an email from Handshake and be able to access your graduate Handshake account.