What this funding is

Recipients of the Futures Scholarship will have access to up to £1,000 of funding support for employability opportunities, such as an internship, placement or summer research programme.

The employability funding is flexible and may be taken at different stages of study, depending on individual circumstances including up to twelve months after graduation.

What you can claim for

Recipients will be responsible for identifying a suitable internship or other opportunities and explaining why it provides meaningful experience that enhances their employability.

They will be supported by the Futures Scholarships Coordinator and the Careers Service to explore the opportunities available.

The employability opportunity can be conducted in the UK or overseas.

If the University in its absolute discretion, considers that the opportunity is not suitable it reserves the right to decline payment of the Career Employability Funding.

Rail travel

• The Employability Funding can be used to reimburse the cost of standard class return rail travel between your employability opportunity and your return address.
• The Employability Funding cannot be used reimburse the cost of first-class travel. You should take the most appropriate direct route and attempt to book in advance in order to secure the most favourable fare cost.
• The funding can be used to purchase an Oyster Card or other prepaid travel card that can be used for the duration of your employability opportunity.

Bus or coach travel

• The Employability funding can be used to reimburse the cost of local bus fares where a bus journey is required to travel to your Employability Opportunity.
• The University can reimburse the cost of bus or coach fares between your Employability Opportunity and your return address.

Taxi fares

• The Employability Funding can cover taxi fares but must be agreed in advance with the Futures Scholarship Coordinator.

Air or sea travel

• The Employability funding can be used to reimburse the cost of ferry, boat or economy class air fares (or the equivalent on budget airlines) between the airport closest to your Employability Opportunity and return address where a low-cost airfare is cheaper than the equivalent bus, coach or train fare.
• The Employability funding can be used to reimburse the costs of appropriate airport flyer bus services between airports and your Employability Opportunity and your return address.
• The University will not reimburse the cost of business class or first-class air fares or additional charges for priority boarding, airport lounges, Wi-Fi or meals, snacks and drinks purchased at the airport or in-flight.

Car travel

• If travelling by car, mileage for a return journey between your employability opportunity and return destination should be calculated through the RAC Route Planner.
• The distance for the recommended route may be claimed at 15p per mile.
• The cost of any relevant receipted parking charges can also be claimed.

Accommodation

• The Employability Funding can be used to pay for reasonable accommodation expenses for the duration of an employability opportunity.
• Futures Scholarship recipients must meet with the Futures Scholarship Coordinator to agree suitable accommodation options.

Other expenses

• The Employability Funding can be used to cover any additional expenditure such as conference fees, professional body membership, and subsistence (meals, drinks, etc).
• These expenses must be agreed in advance on a case by case basis with the Futures Scholarship Coordinator.

Other exclusions

• The Employability Funding cannot be used to reimburse the cost of travel for additional individuals who accompany the Futures Scholarship Recipient such as parents, guardians or friends.
• Exceptionally, the University may reimburse the cost of travel for a carer.
• Any fines incurred whilst driving or parking cannot be reimbursed.

How to apply for funding and how it is paid

Current recipients should email the Futures Scholarship Coordinator for access to the form to make a claim: futures-scholars@bristol.ac.uk.

Futures Scholarship recipients will need to provide a breakdown of costs that funding will cover.

If the amount totals over £500 the recipient will be required to meet with the Futures Scholarship Coordinator to discuss the opportunity.

The employability opportunity will be agreed with the Futures Scholarships Coordinator who must approve the release of funding.

To access the Career Employability Funding, recipients may need to provide evidence, such as receipts or quotes, for the Futures Scholarships Coordinator to approve.

This funding support will be paid as most appropriate to the chosen opportunity and will not always be a direct payment to the Futures Scholarship recipient.

Changes to your circumstances or to your course of study

Withdrawing students will not have to repay any Employability Funding payments as long as the student was registered, and the employability opportunity has been fulfilled.

If a student withdraws before an employability opportunity, they will not receive further payments, but the repayment of any previously paid instalments will not be sought.