Frequently Asked Questions

There are certain courses that attract more sponsorships than others, this is true. These include degrees such as Engineering, IT, Physics, Chemistry and Business related courses where graduates are in demand and companies seek to attract students as early as possible. However, over 40% of graduate jobs are for students with any degree discipline and here employers look for students who have enthusiasm and potential. Many placements, vacation jobs and final year sponsorships are open to students from any degree course.

Your local authority take into consideration any scholarships or sponsorship you receive over £4000 in an academic year when calculating how much fees you must pay and how much loan you can have.

As stated before, the traditional sponsorship schemes that are advertised nationally will require applications around the time of your UCAS application. Paid work experience and final year sponsorships can be obtained at any time during your course, but remember to start looking up to a year before you want it to commence.

Printing off multiple copies of your CV and mailing it to every address you can find may appear to be a logical step: but it isn't. Whilst companies are often very interested to hear from motivated people like yourself, they are especially interested in people who want to work for their organisation in particular. Send fewer applications, but make each one a good one. Make it look like you really want to work for that company and explain how you would be of value to them. When it comes to making applications, perseverance is essential but quality really is better than quantity.

This is unlikely to be the case, although it does sometimes happen. The majority of companies will put you under no obligation to work for them when you graduate and instead, and only when they have seen you in action working for them, will make you a graduate job offer that you can choose whether or not to accept. They are under no obligation to employ you either. This way both you and the organisation have a choice about your future with them and after you both have something concrete to base your decisions upon.

There are a few companies who do require commitment, however, so it is advisable to check the details of your contract before you agree to take a sponsorship.

Companies sponsor students for a variety of reasons but essentially they are looking to attract quality students who have the potential to become skilled graduates and a future asset to their company. They are looking to spot talent early and to hold on to it for the future. It makes good business sense.

Sponsoring you allows a company to:

• Attract you early before you receive other graduate job offers in your final year
• Develop you during the course of your studies before you graduate
• See you "in action" in their company before they make you an offer
• Ensure that you are really interested in them when you accept

However, there are also other reasons why companies take on students for work experience placements. Employing students for a fixed period is an excellent way to utilise a student's motivation and inquisitive mind and inject fresh ideas into their company. It is also a tried and tested way of spreading the word amongst other students about their company and their opportunities - a marketing opportunity really.
 

It is true that some schemes place emphasis on a GAP year placement or a sandwich year placement. This is because 12 months is long enough for an employer to develop you and provide you with real responsibility. Therefore, it is advisable to check out the content and requirements of a sponsorship scheme before making an application. However, there are alternative options including vacation work and term-time employment that do not require a year out, so it is possible to study straight through if you want to.

The simple answer is sooner rather than later. Some companies clearly specify a time to apply in our listings sections, others do not. The golden rule is not to delay. Indeed, certain companies begin to select some of their applicants by Christmas.