Employability Learning Fund

Eligible costs must be related to activities in the UK and may include (but are not restricted to) any of the following:

• Standard class travel up to £50 within 100 miles, up to £100 within 200 miles and up to £150 within 300 miles

• Transport costs to and from temporary work experience and/or internships. This includes interviews/assessment centres

• Subsidence without overnight stay up to £25 (£30 if London)

• Subsidence including overnight stay up to £30 (£35 if London)

• Accommodation up to £80 a night, or up to £100 in London, to attend an interview selection process or short-term work experience opportunity

• Up to £150 towards professional clothing costs for interviews

• Essential uniform and tools

• DBS Certificate where this is essential criteria to undertake an internship, work experience etc., where this can not be supported through other University funding

• Applications to recover lost documents such as birth certificates, which may be crucial in order for the student to obtain work experience in the first place

• Course/conference attendance, events and conferences etc. (physical or virtual)

• Software packages for online recruitment

• Online training and development opportunities e.g. 'LinkedIn Learning' initial subscription

We cannot award funding for costs that have already been incurred, therefore you need to apply to ELF before the employment opportunity takes place. Awards cannot be made retrospectively. 

Examples of costs which will not be eligible for funding include (but are not restricted to):

• Any costs associated with travel and accommodation outside of the UK 

• Placement costs - information on funding a placement can be found on the Student Portal 

• If you can claim the money back through other means (e.g NHS) 

• Any travel which involves fundraising for another cause 

• We are unlikely to support activities directly related to the development of your own enterprise and/or self-employment

• Any activity which is outside the described remit of the Fund or determined by the University

• Rent and other living costs such as food and utility bills

• Rental deposits

• Daily commuting costs

• Travel outside of the UK 

The ELF process, from application to award, can take up to 21 days so please apply as soon as you are aware of the need for support. This is to allow time for reviewing your application and, where appropriate, agreeing any risk assessments that may be required.

We will consider and process requests where it can be demonstrated that you have only been given short notice about the employment opportunity. We will consider applications that are submitted up to two working days before the employment opportunity takes place.

In all instances you cannot apply for funding retrospectively. The application must be made prior to the opportunity taking place.

The Employability Learning Fund will close on Friday 30 June 2023. If you are aware that you will have an opportunity during the summer please apply before this deadline.

All UK/EU Newcastle or London campus registered undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate taught (PGT) students, who fall within the following Widening Participation (WP) student groups can apply for funding: 

 

UG 

 

• Black Asian or Minority Ethnic Student 
• Care Leaver 
• Commuter Student 
• Estranged Student 
• First Generation 
• Gypsy Roma and Travelling Communities 
• LGBTQ+ 
• Low Participation Neighbourhood 
• Mature Student 
• Student with a Disability or Specific Learning Difficulty 
• Student with a Household Income of Less than £25,000 
• Student with a Military Background 
• Student with Caring Responsibilities 
• Student with Refugee Status 
• Student Seeking Asylum 

 

PGT eligibility

 

• Black Asian or Minority Ethnic Student 
• Care Leaver 
• Commuter Student 
• Estranged Student 
• Gypsy Roma and Travelling Communities 
• LGBTQ+ 
• Student with a Disability or Specific Learning Difficulty 
• Student with a Military Background 
• Student with Caring Responsibilities 
• Student with Refugee Status 
• Student Seeking Asylum 

Click here for a description of each student group listed above.

Click here to view the terms and conditions of the Employability Learning Fund.

Apply via your Student Portal