Sponsorship -the low down

Amanda Wood
University of Manchester & UMIST Careers Service
presents this comprehensive breakdown of all the important sponsorship issues:

How Much Can You Earn?

This can vary substantially depending upon the size of the company and the type of industry you work in. However, on average the figures tend to look something like this:
A GAP year before you begin studying
£10,000 per annum

A "Sandwich" placement year during studies £12,000 per annum

Vacation work £200-£250 per week

Bursary payments £1000-1300 per year

(often divided into semester payments)

Why Bother? - A Degree's Just Not Enough!

Well there's the money obviously, but there's also more to it than that! Employers of today's graduates consistently tell us that it's not enough for a graduate to have a degree alone. What they need is someone who also has a range of personal skills that they can apply in the workplace. It's no good having knowledge if you don't know what to do with it. What more do we have to do, I hear you cry?

Well it's not that bad, honest. What employers look for is someone who has experience of working in an organisation and has developed and can demonstrate that they have these skills. Typically an employer is looking for someone with good communication skills, the ability to work well in a team, show initiative and apply what they know.

Sponsorship is an ideal way to build up a strong portfolio of skills. Whether it is a year placement, a vacation job or four years of support it all helps. The more responsibility you can take on and the more you can do, the more your portfolio grows.

What is more, employers do this for a reason - to attract good graduates early. Sponsorships often attract job offers upon graduation and can take the sting of job hunting out of a busy final year.

When Should You Start Looking?

This really depends upon the type of sponsorship you are looking for. In general, I would recommend something approaching a year in advance. For example, if you are looking for a sponsorship before commencing your course, it is usual to apply at the same time as your UCAS application. Once you begin your studies, employers usually advertise summer and year placements from October or November the previous year, ready to begin the next summer. So if you want to wait until you have started studying before applying, that's not a problem.

Some companies do not mention their final year sponsorships and instead advertise their vacancy as a placement or vacation job alone. If they are happy with your performance they will then offer a bursary when you go into your final year. If they aren't, then they probably won't mention it at all!

Myth or reality? - A Few Common Queries
click here

What's in it for them? - The Company's Viewpoint

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.