Gateway To Work Experience Bursary

Level of study

Any Undergraduate

Subject area

Arts and Law, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Medical and Dental Sciences, Social Sciences

Nationality

UK

Type of Award

University

Deadline for applying

None. Open all year.

Award Description

The Gateway to Work Experience Bursary is designed to enable certain undergraduate students on the Birmingham Scholar programme and under-represented groups at the University access to work experience which they may otherwise be unable to afford.    

Awards are available for work experience opportunities taking place at any point during this academic year.

Eligible students undertaking unpaid or lower paid work experience may receive up to £2,500 in one academic year depending on their individual circumstances, the proposed work experience, and their funding requirements. Funds are available until all bursary funding is allocated.  

It is recommended to apply as early as possible. Applications for funding for retrospective work experience cannot be accepted.

Value of Award

The Bursary is designed to support students in covering the costs associated with unpaid or low-paid work experience. It is not designed to be a wage substitute. Eligible students can apply for up to a maximum of £2500. The amount you apply for will depend on the individual circumstances of your proposed work experience up to the maximum amount. In the past bursaries have supported in covering expenses including:

• Accommodation
• Travel
• Living costs
• Utilities bills
• Insurance
• Childcare

Eligibility Criteria

Based on the University’s review of recent Graduate Outcomes Survey data, the Gateway to Work Experience Bursary is open to the following categories of home fee status students in the current academic year:

• The following categories of Birmingham Scholars students:
  • students in receipt of a Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) or Access to Birmingham (A2B) offer;
  • Care leavers or care experienced students;
  • students from the ‘Realising Opportunities’ programme;
  • students in receipt of a Sanctuary Scholarship. 

• Students of Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Black African, Black Caribbean, Mixed White and Black African or Mixed White and Black Caribbean backgrounds. 

Please note the Bursary cannot be used to support placements which form part of a degree programme e.g. industrial placements.

How to Apply

To apply for the Bursary, students will be required to submit one application form which primarily asks for the following:

• Your personal details (e.g. name, ID number, email address, etc)
• Your work experience opportunity details (e.g. organisation name, location, etc)
• Summary of your work experience opportunity (max 50 words)
• An application question (max 400 words): How will the proposed work experience contribute towards your personal and professional development, as well as your future career aspirations?
• A budget outlining how much funding you will require*
  • As part of this budget it is vital that applicants undertake some research into the costs included to support in justifying the amount being requested. 
  • Applicants will be required to submit a budget document with evidence of their research and cost calculations. You can download the Budget Document Template on the Gateway webpage.

*Please note that if you require £100 or less from the bursary, you will not need to answer the application question highlighted above in your form.

Contact

Careers Network
workexperience@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Website

https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/employability/careers/internships-and-work-experience/funding/bursary-schemes/gateway-bursary-scheme.aspx