International Work Experience bursary scheme

Careers Network has provided the below information to support you with completing your Work Experience Bursary application form. Please click on the relevant hyperlink to find out more.

It is highly recommended to read each section of information in detail to ensure you complete your application to a suitable standard. If you have any questions or require further information, you can contact the Careers Network Internship Officer responsible for managing the bursary for which you are applying, by emailing internships@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

• What are Work Experience Bursaries (PDF -120KB)
• Application Process (PDF - 39KB)
• How and when to apply (PDF - 149KB)
• Example work experience opportunities and internships (PDF - 160KB)
• Eligibility for the bursaries (PDF - 109KB)
• Support with completing your application form (PDF - 344KB)
• Example work experience budget planner (PDF - 966KB)
• Blank Budget Template (DOC - 21.9KB)

Once the application deadline has passed, all applications received on-line will be assessed by Careers Network staff. Applicants who are successful in passing this first assessment stage will then be invited to attend a short panel interview and to deliver a five minute presentation, training for which will be provided. If you pass both of these stages, you may then be granted a bursary.

The scheme is open to all undergraduate students, including international students, except those in their final year. You must source your own internship / work experience.

The scheme provides you with a bursary of up to £800 to cover the costs of undertaking work experience abroad. The amount you apply for will depend on the individual circumstances of your proposed work experience. In the past awards have ranged from £100 to £800 to help with expenses including:

• Accommodation costs
• Travel expenses
• Living costs and utilities bills
• Insurance

Does an internship overseas seem too daunting? It shouldn’t do! With a little bit of research and personal organisation, you could make it a reality. Find out what you need to do.

Language skills and cultural awareness

You can make the most of an opportunity overseas by ensuring that you integrate into the environment. Find out how to improve your language skills and cultural awareness before you go, with help from Passport Career.

Third parties

Many organisations exist to help students find work experience opportunities overseas as well as assisting with accommodation, visas, etc. Be careful! Many charge you for this service and you may find it cheaper to do some of this yourself. Find out more about working with third parties.

Would you like to find out more about working abroad? Target Jobs provides a huge amount of information about working in a vast range of countries.

If you are successful in your initial application, you will be invited to attend an interview. For more information about interview skills, visit our interview resources:

• Preparing for an interview

ASee details of previous winners of our work experience funding schemes and their experiences.

If you are applying to the Gateway and/or International Work Experience Bursary and it is for an opportunity with The Intern Group, you may be entitled to additional discount on your budget due an exclusive scholarship. Please state in your applicaiton, within the budget section, that you would like to be considered for this scholarship.

Each year many students fundraise themselves  to cover all or part of their costs, particularly for opportunities overseeas. ICS is a UK Government funded programme providing overseas volunteer placements to 18-25 year olds and Team Leader placements to 23-35 year olds. They have put together a handy guide on how to fundraise yourself (PDF - 673KB).

Find out more information on ICS and the opporunities they offer.