Abacus recruitment has launched a separate division, SMARTS, which specialises in part-time, degree-related work for undergraduate students.

Abacus director Toby Marshall said the candidates were sourced through a database of selected courses at universities across Australia.

SMARTS contacted lecturers, who passed information to their students, and often recommended specific undergrads, Marshall told Shortlist. This was backed up by standard advertising on student and mainstream job boards.

So far around 100 placements had been made with a range of companies including Macquarie Bank, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Stewart Partners and Left Field PR, he said.