Some large firms and the Armed Forces sponsor students through a course.

You can receive up to a certain amount each year in sponsorship money without any affect on help with fees or loans.

Many sponsorships, but not all, are offered to students who study engineering technology or applied science courses.

You may need to apply as early as the start of the final year in school/college as many students complete for these schemes.

Some companies only sponsor students who are already taking or have been offered a palce on a suitable course.

When to Apply

• In general, up to a year in advance is advised. If you are looking for a sponsorship before starting a course, it is normal to apply at the same time as you apply to UCAS.

• It is possible to wait until starting university before you apply. Summer and year-long placements are often advertised in the autumn term of the previous year to the placement.

• Some firms do not mention their final year sponsorships and instead only advertise placements or summer jobs. If they are pleased with a student's work they will then offer a bursary when the student goes into the final year of the course.

How much can be earned?

This can vary. It depends on the size of the firm and the type of industry it is in. On average the figures tend to look something like this:

• Bursary payments: £1000 - 1300 per year
• A gap year before you begin to study: £10,000 per annum
• A 'sandwich' placement year during studies: £12,000 per annum
• Vacation work £200 - £250 per week (often divided into semester payments)

Source: universityoptions.co.uk

Reasons for Sponsoring

Many firms are looking to attract the best students - those who can become an asset to their organisation.

Sponsoring allows a company to:

• Attract skilled students early before they receive other job offers in the final year of a course

• Help students to gain useful work-related skills during their course.

• See how the student functions in the work place before they decide on whether to make an offer.

There are other reasons why firms take on students for work placements. Employing students for a set period of time makes good use of their drive and creativity and could bring fresh ideas into the company. It is also a superb way of spreading the word amongst other students about the firms' work.

Finding a Sponsor

Some firms do not formally recruit students on to sponsorship schemes. However, if a keen and sharp person contacts them, they may consider it.

To give yourself the best chance of getting a sponsorship this way you need to plan carefully.

• Think about the type of firms you want to apply to and study the websites before you contact them.

• Think about firms that are close to home or your place of study.

• Make sure you have good reasons for why you want to apply. This will help to convince them that it would be worthwhile to offer you a sponsorship.

How to find out more about companies:

The best resource for this type of research is the Internet. The Prospects website is a good place to start looking for graduate opportunities.

Databases of companies:

There is a great range of these on the web. The Yellow Pages is a useful palce to start.

Professional bodies:

Contact the organisation linked to the career area of interest or linked to the degree course. Information on company members and other funding sources like scholarships is usually available from them. As an example, the Institute Electrical Engineers (IEE) website has a student section with useful information.

More Info...

Tuition Fees
Student Loans
Assembly Learning Grant
Bursaries
Sponsorship
Funded Courses
Other Sources of Money