Empower Bursary for work and opportunities

If you have secured unpaid work experience, are attending a training or networking event or Insight Day (that is not part of your degree) which will help you in your future career, you could be entitled to funding.

Are you eligible for funding?

You must fulfil all of the following:

1. Be a current undergraduate at the University of Kent, studying in the UK, in your Foundation, 1st or 2nd year

2. Be eligible for the Empower scheme (see FAQs for eligibility criteria)  

3. Be undertaking unpaid work experience, insight or assessment activities or training, that is not part of your degree programme

4. Be actively engaged with the Empower Scheme, which means you must have completed the following:

AND

  • attended at least one Careers & Employability Workshop this academic year.

If you have any questions, please book an appointment with the Empower team.


What the funding can be used for

The funding (up to £200 per year, per student) can be used towards costs incurred for extra-curricular activities (as defined above), for:

  • travel
  • subsistence (such as the cost of meals whilst working)
  • professional workwear 

Proof will need to be provided as part of the application process. The opportunity cannot make up part of your degree programme, or be a paid role.


How do I apply?

If you would like to apply, please contact empower@kent.ac.uk to check your eligibility, or book an appointment with the Empower team.

FAQs

Eligible for the Empower scheme

This means that you are considered by the Office for Students to be TUNDRA Q1, an area-based measure for state-funded mainstream school pupils in England, and their progression on to higher education. Those assigned TUNDRA Q1 are measured as the lowest rate of participation in higher education.

Find out more from the OfS. 

Actively engaged with the Empower scheme

This means that you have completed the following this academic year:

  • attended an Empower appointment with Hannah or Melissa

AND 

  • attended at least one Careers & Employability Service Workshop.

No, unfortunately you cannot apply retrospectively for experiences which have already taken place  

You may be able to claim for volunteering expenses, however, the voluntary experience must be graduate level work. You may only claim expenses for the first 3 weeks (or 120 hours) of the duration of your voluntary position. You can also record your volunteering hours through the Employability Points Scheme

Graduate-level work experience counts as tasks and responsibilities that mimic graduate level work. This, for example, does not include making tea and photocopying.

The Careers and Employability Service are here to support you, but you must find your own opportunity. Try these links:

  • Careers and Employability Service CareerHub
  • Rate My Placement
  • Milkround
  • Total Jobs
  • Prospects
  • Clothing/footwear necessary for the working environment in which you are placed, for example shirt/blouse, smart skirt/trousers. No single item must cost more than £75.00.

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