Have you developed a connection with a certain organisation in which you would love to do a placement to enrich your skills and career prospects but are not able to as it is unpaid? This is where the PGR Career Enhancement Placement Scheme comes in. The scheme had been set up as a pilot in 2022/23 and will run again in 2023/24 up to 31 July 2024. The scheme provides funding for placements up to 3 months long, or part time equivalent.
What are the benefits of doing a placement during your research degree?
'I’d absolutely encourage anyone thinking about doing a placement to go for it, and if you aren’t thinking about it maybe explore some options!'
Postgraduate researchers at Royal Holloway who have been able to secure placements during their research degree have consistently reported how positive the experiences have been, providing them with the opportunity to develop a wealth of employability skills and invaluable networking links.
Find out more about the benefits of doing a placement and read some testimonials from our PGRs
Who is eligible to apply?
Any current Royal Holloway postgraduate researcher who has identified a suitable placement opportunity and is not able to secure funding to support the placement elsewhere (e.g. via their Research Council). This is open to all registered PGRs researchers regardless of whether you are full-time or part-time, in your first year or have submitted your thesis and waiting for your viva. Those of you on Student Route visa are also eligible, although we need to take care that you do not exceed the number of hours that you are permitted to work under your visa.
Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis. It is strongly recommended that you submit your application at least six weeks before you wish to start the placement, so that everything can be put in place in time.
What does the scheme offer?
Read the PGR Career Enhancement Placement Scheme guide for full details
How to find a suitable placement opportunity?
If you are self-sourcing a placement, there are a number of strategies you could adopt e.g. speculative applications, LinkedIn, networking, industry directories. The Careers Service delivers a workshop throughout the Autumn and Spring terms entitled 'Finding jobs, placements and internships' which offers an overview of the various strategies you can use to find work opportunities.
Find out more about the workshops and register on the Careers Portal: https://careersportal.royalholloway.ac.uk/
Any suitable placement opportunities sourced by the university will be advertised here and via the Researcher Newsletter.
Interested in applying?
Once you have identified a potential placement opportunity and have had unofficial discussions with the placement provider to confirm the possibility:
- Read the PGR Career Enhancement Placement Scheme guide carefully. If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please contact the Doctoral School.
- Discuss your plans with your supervisor, as they will need to approve your request.
- If you are sponsored on a Royal Holloway Student Route visa, contact the International Student Support Office for advice on how much you would be able to work on the placement.
- Submit your application via the PGR Career Enhancement Scheme application form.
- The Doctoral School will be in contact with you within a week to advise on the probable timeline for the decision and to explain the next part of the process.
Social Science Impact Accelerator placements
If your research is within a social science discipline, you can also apply for a 1-3 month placement (or part time equivalent via the Social Science Impact Accelerator Programme. Details about the programme and how to apply can be found here. Placements must be with non-academic partners and proposed activities should be focused on impact and knowledge exchange.
For further information or queries, please contact the Social Sciences Impact team.
FAQs
Yes - but it will need to be done in line with your responsibilities under the visa i.e.
- you are restricted to working a total of 20 hours a week (at the placement and any other work you are already doing)
- you will not be able to interrupt (as you would need to leave the UK if you were to interrupt)
It is strongly recommended that you speak with the International Student Support Office if you are considering applyng for a placement so that they can advise on your options.
Yes - please refer to the PGR Career Enhancement Placement Scheme guide for the implications and restrictions of doing the placement part-time.
Yes - any placements opportunities suitable for postgraduate researchers that School Directors of External Engagement are able to set up with current partner organisations will be advertised to all PGRs, and funded through the PGR Career Enhancement Placement Scheme.
No - this scheme is to support placements which will strengthen your employability experience and skills and does not support placements which are integral to your research.
No - we are only able to offer this scheme for external placements only.
If you are not able to find the answer to your question on this page or in the PGR Career Enhancement Placement Scheme guide, please do not hesitate to contact the Doctoral School.