RIS Information for UoR Staff

The Reading Internship Scheme is an extracurricular work experience programme, exclusively for our undergraduates here at the University of Reading. 

The scheme is a great way for students to put their degree knowledge into practice, and to gain experience before undertaking a yearlong placement or going into a graduate job. 

What?
The scheme exists to support students with valuable work experience, and ensure they are paid for their time and efforts. 
There are two options available for students to choose from when it comes to the Reading Internship Scheme. 

• Students can apply for vacancies we source and upload to My Jobs Online (option 1)
                                                                      OR

• They can source their own unpaid 4 – 6 week internship, which isn’t part of their degree programme, and potentially receive a living cost bursary of up to £1,000 (option 2). There is an eligibility criteria for the scheme which can be found here on the bursary information page, please be sure to highlight this to interested students. 

Option 1 – Salary Model 
This is where the Careers Centre source opportunities for students (based on career registration data), and these are then advertised on My Jobs Online. Students apply for these with a CV and cover letter. 

• Internships are 4 – 8 weeks in length
• Take place throughout the year during term-time (at part-time hours) and vacation periods (at full-time hours) 
• Available for undergraduates only 
• Each internship has a salary of £315 per week 
• Opportunities available with charities and profit earning businesses
• Opportunities available across a wide range of disciplines 
• Internships on the scheme can only be used for extracurricular activity (not eligible to be used for any credit baring placement modules)
• Departments within the University can take on an intern through the Reading Internship Scheme, please see below for details.

This programme is funded by the University of Reading, Santander Universities, and the Earley Charity. If a charity takes on an intern through the scheme, we pay 100% of their intern’s salary, any other organisations who take on an intern through the scheme pay 50% of their intern’s salary with the University supporting the other 50%. 

The University of Reading can take on an intern through our scheme, but this would be operated at the 50% model above.

How can students get involved?
Students can receive regular updates via email from the scheme’s coordinator by registering their interest.

The Careers Centre run regular information sessions for students, which go through the scheme in more detail and how students can get involved. Students can book onto these sessions through MyJobsOnline and also search and apply for the latest Internships by using the 'Reading Internship Scheme' tab once logged in.

Option 2 – Living Cost Bursary Model 
The Living Cost Bursary supports undergraduates who have already secured an internship, which is unpaid and up to 6 weeks in length. Students who are either registered with our disability service, or in receipt of the Reading Bursary are eligible to apply.

• Internships can be with any sized employer 
• Available for undergraduates only 
• Internships cannot be contributing to a student’s degree course 
• Internships must be unpaid (aside from any travel contributions the employer may wish to make)
• A 6 week unpaid internship would merit a £1,000 living cost bursary (4 and 5 week internships are calculated pro rata)
• Internships being supported by the bursary model cannot be at the University of Reading (please refer to the salary model above)

How can students get involved?
Students who fit the eligibility criteria can apply for the bursary.
Once an application is submitted, the scheme’s coordinator will review this and come back to the student within 3 weeks.