Employability Fund

The Employability Fund is designed to help eligible current students and recent graduates access financial assistance for many of the costs that can arise with accessing work experience or getting started in their early career. Eligible students can apply for support with:

Unpaid Work Experience: Up to £500 contribution towards participating in a work experience or work placement opportunity that is unpaid. 

Career Development Activity or Freelancing Essentials: Up to £300 towards activity that fulfils at least one of the following:

- Supports your freelancing career – such as purchasing equipment, software licenses, subscriptions or advertising.

- Supports a recruitment opportunity – attendance at a careers fair, suitable clothes for a job interview.

- Development Activity – participation at a conference/event or undertaking specialist training related to your chosen career (not including postgraduate study) that you can clearly demonstrate will enhance your employability.

The activity must be undertaken during the period specified on the Fund webpage. Students should check the criteria carefully to find out whether they may be eligible to apply. 

The Employability Fund is available for 2025/26 and is expected to continue. However, all schemes are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.