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Its `International Talent' scheme involves assigning students from abroad to companies to help them with business development plans.
The students in turn gain work experience to boost their career aspirations.
The scheme is being run by the careers and employability division of the university's leadership programme.
One of the first to use the service is Paul Banks, 60, the managing director of Sale-based digital photography and printing equipment company Image Alchemy, who hired students to help him explore markets in Europe and the Far East.
He said: "The International Talent service is way ahead of anything else within the commercial sector.
"It has helped my business enormously.
Invaluable
"The students have been invaluable in helping me to develop contacts and win customers in countries such as Japan, France, Germany and Italy.
"Without them, it would have been very difficult for me to break into those markets."
His firm employs eight people and sells digital printing equipment which prevents photographs and artwork from fading.
Amanda Wood, head of international career development at the university, says the students have much to offer businesspeople.
"Over 7,000 international students from more than 160 countries currently study a range of specialisms, from business and finance to science, IT and engineering.
"Several come to study mid-career, and have previous business experience.
"International Talent enables businesses to tap into and benefit from their speicalist language skills, cultural knowledge and work experience."
Students who have helped firms so far have focused on market research, exploring markets for products and services, document translation, developing contacts overseas and event management.
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