A university has launched a points scheme to give graduates prizes - and a better chance of finding work.

With 70 graduates chasing every job, the University of Kent is attempting to boost their CV with an incentive scheme backed by employers.

Earlier today, it unveiled the Employability Points Scheme at Canterbury Innovation Centre.

It is based on store loyalty cards, with students awarded points for every extra-curricular activity.

Points will be allocated every time they attend, for example, a lunchtime language class, develop sporting skills, start a business enterprise, volunteer, or help younger people.

Each activity will be given a points tariff and prizes will be awarded at the end of the academic year.

Students are already given a card when they first enter the university and this will be scanned every time they undertake a point-worthy activity.

Bob Jones, chief executive officer of Business Support Kent, welcomed the scheme, saying his organisation has pledged a three-month internship to the student with a high points tally and the best credentials.

"Just having a degree is no longer enough," he said. "If students don't enter the scheme, we won't look at them."

Stephanie Barwick, the university's senior enterprise officer, said it was like the Tesco Clubcard scheme.

"Points mean prizes," she said. In a competitive jobs market, students needed to give themselves a head start and this scheme would help them.

She called on employers to donate prizes ranging from cash to work experience, a site visit to an internship.

They would be promoted on the university website to some 18,000 students and 2,500 staff.

"The exposure you would get in the student community would be tremendous," she said.