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Workplace Experiences is a series of opportunities designed to help the students and graduates of University of Chester to develop their vocational skills and knowledge, in a real working environment, while building industry connections and earning money.

The University has three key Workplace Experience schemes available to businesses:

Inspiring Futures Scholarship Placements

  • SMEs, charities and non-profit organisations are eligible
  • Open to eligible students from under-represented groups only
  • Duration: 216 hours, part time (a maximum of 15 hours of work per week is recommended during term time)
  • Students will be awarded a £2,000 scholarship payment

Santander Scholarship Placements

  • SMEs, charities and non-profit organisations are eligible
  • Available for current, eligible students
  • Duration: 191 hours, part time (a maximum of 15 hours of work per week is recommended during term time)
  • Students will be awarded a £2,000 scholarship payment

Graduate Internships

  • SMEs, charities and non-profit organisations are eligible
  • Duration: 288 hours, 36 hours per week which equates to 8 weeks, full time
  • £11.97 per hour - total pay to the graduate is £3,447.36

Two funding schemes are available, dependent upon the type of organisation:

Scheme A

  • Available for charities, non-profit organisations, very early business start-ups and internal University departments
  • Fully funded by the University

Scheme B

  • Available for all UK SMEs
  • 60% funding, paid by the University and a 40% match to be paid by the SME host organisation

Terms and Conditions

  1. For Graduate Internships only, the employer must provide the graduate with a contract of employment (suitable to the length of their Workplace Experience) and they will need to be added to your payroll system.
  2. For Inspiring Futures Scholarship Placements, current students can work up to a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time, however they are able to work full time during University holiday periods.
  3. For Graduate Internships, it is your responsibility as the employer, to submit an invoice to the University’s Finance Department, AFTER the graduate has been appointed, so that funding can be administered. Funding cannot be released without receipt of an invoice.  The University’s standard payment terms are 30 days following receipt of an invoice.

Next Steps

Workplace Experiences are administered by the Employer Engagement Team, within Careers and Employability. For further information and to register your interest, please contact the team via: