THE PROCESS
ORGANISATION COMPLETES EMPLOYER PROPOSAL FORM
If you're interested in participating in the Bath Spa Works: Internships programme, the first step is to complete an Employer Proposal Form. To request the form, please contact the Scheme Coordinator or a member of the Employer Relations Team. Our details are at the beginning of this handbook.
Please note - you must submit a completed proposal form to be eligible for any funding through the Bath Spa Works: Internships programme.
In the form, you'll be asked to:
Provide an overview of the internship opportunity (the more detail, the better),
Outline the intended outcomes of the internship, and Agree to the scheme’s terms and conditions.
There will be two periods of proposal intakes throughout the academic year: Monday, 15 September 2025 to Sunday, 9 November 2025 Tuesday, 20 January 2026 to Saturday, 28 March 2026
Closure dates will be subject to change (early or extended closure) as determined by funding available.
FUNDING AND PAYMENT
Please note that funding is limited, and we may not be able to accept all proposals. Final decisions will be based on the suitability of the opportunity for students and the needs of the organisation.
For the current year, all internships must be 120 hours in length, which can be spread out into several weeks to account for the students’ academic studies or condensed full-time weeks outside of term-time.
All roles that are accepted and successfully filled through the Bath Spa Works: Internships programme will be eligible for a £1,000 part-funding contribution for a 120-hour internship from the university.
The student salary calculations have been made using the national living wage (21+) and rounded up to the nearest pound, to account for all our eligible students and are correct at the time of this document's creation (September 2025). National Living Wage rates have been taken from gov.uk and will increase in April 2026 therefore increasing the Employer contribution amount. The university's contribution has taken this increase into account and will remain at a fixed rate.
Once an intern is recruited, they must be added to your organisation’s payroll, just like any other employee. This includes carrying out the appropriate right to work checks, which are the responsibility of the employer.
All employers must ensure that BSU's allocated funding is used solely to contribute to the student’s wage. Employers are required to top up any remaining amount to ensure that the intern is paid at least the National Minimum Wage for the full 120 hours.
Employers are also responsible for handling all associated tax and National Insurance arrangements.
Once you have successfully advertised, interviewed, and recruited an intern, BSU will issue the funding via BACS transfer to the bank account provided in your proposal form. The payment request will be submitted the day after the intern officially starts, and we ask that you please allow up to 14 working days for the funds to be fully transferred.
EMPLOYABILITY AWARD
This year, we're pleased to offer a number of Employability Awards to support local small businesses and charities with accessing student talent - particularly where funding an internship might otherwise be a barrier.
Eligibility for the Employability Award is assessed based on the information provided in your Employer Proposal Form and will be reviewed upon submission. As there are a limited number of awards available, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. You'll be informed of the outcome by email.
If your organisation is eligible for the Employability Award, you aren't required to pay the student at National Minimum Wage. Instead, Bath Spa University will provide the successful student with a £1,250 bursary to support their internship with your organisation. This bursary will be paid directly to the student by the university in two instalments:
£625 within the first month of the internship starting.
£625 upon internship completion and receipt of a Record of Hours form.
If the internship isn't completed before the end of July 2026, the full £1,250 may be paid prior to completion, depending on the circumstances. In such cases, the Scheme Coordinator will contact you directly to discuss next steps.
HOURS AND SCHEDULING
Each internship is 120 hours in total, and these hours can be completed on a full-time or parttime basis, depending on your organisation’s needs and the student’s availability.
SCHEDULED WORKING HOURS
Students must not work more than 20 hours per week during term time. If you're interested in offering a full-time internship, these are permitted only during the Winter and Spring Vacation periods, and over Summer Break.
FLEXIBLE WORKING OPTIONS
Internships can be arranged flexibly. For example: ten hours per week over 12 weeks; full-time during vacation periods; or a combination of part-time and fulltime hours.
WORK FORMAT
Internships can be in-person (with appropriate safety measures), remote / virtual, or hybrid (a mix of in-person and remote).
LOCATION AND STUDENT AVAILABILITY
Many of our students live in Bath during term time but may return to their home residence during university breaks. Please take this into account when submitting your proposal and discussing working arrangements with your selected intern.
INTERNSHIP START DEADLINE
While there's no set completion date, all internships must start by Monday, 20 July 2026 to be eligible for funding.
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
This year, we a running a specific Bath Spa Works: Summer Internships scheme. These summer internships will be for 180 hours (equivalent to six weeks). If you're interested in the summer internship scheme, please contact us at placements@ bathspa.ac.uk or employer-services@bathspa.ac.uk.
TIPS FOR WRITING A STUDENT-FRIENDLY INTERNSHIP ADVERT!
Creating an engaging and accessible advert is key to attracting the right student applicants. Below are some tips to help you craft a strong and effective internship listing:
Know your audience: These internships are aimed at current students, many of which may have limited professional experience. Be realistic with your expectations and use clear, accessible language throughout your advert.
Use a clear, student-friendly job title: While some roles may be highly specific, try to make your title snappy and easy to understand. Ask yourself: "If I were a student, would I immediately understand what this role is?"
Introduce your organisation and culture: Share a short overview of your company and what it’s like to work there. What do you value in your team members? If applicable, include any perks or benefits the intern might enjoy.
Outline the role clearly: What will the intern be doing on a day-to-day basis? Include a brief overview of responsibilities and tasks, so applicants can understand the scope of the role.
Include an applicant specification: Do you have any particular skills, knowledge, or qualities you’re looking for? Keep in mind that this may be a student’s first step into a professional setting, so avoid overly restrictive criteria.
Avoid jargon and acronyms: Try to minimise the use of company-specific buzzwords or acronyms. If you do need to include them, please provide a clear explanation at least once.
Keep it concise and digestible: Avoid long blocks of text. Use headings, bullet points, or short paragraphs to make your advert easier to scan and more appealing to students.
If you'd like support when drafting your opportunity or want to discuss your internship idea further, please don't hesitate to contact the Employer Relations Team at employer-services@bathspa.ac.uk.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Upon submitting an Employer Proposal Form, you'll be required to read and agree to both the Bath Spa Works: Internships Terms and Conditions and the Bath Spa Works: Internships Data Sharing Agreement. If you'd like to review them in advance, please contact us at placements@bathspa.ac.uk.
FORM REVIEWED BY THE SCHEME COORDINATOR
Once your proposal form has been submitted, the Careers and Employability team will review it within five to seven working days. We'll contact you by email to confirm whether your submission has been accepted, or to request any additional information if needed.
If your proposal is successful, we'll confirm the type of funding you're eligible for - either part-funded or fully funded through the Employability Award. If you're given the part-funded funding, you will be sent a Funding Agreement to sign before we promote your opportunity.
Please note that final decisions are based on both the suitability of the opportunity for students and the needs of your organisation. If you would like to discuss your proposal further, feel free to contact us at placements@bathspa.ac.uk.
ADVERTISING AND APPLICATIONS
Once your Employer Proposal Form has been reviewed and approved, we'll use the information you’ve provided to create a profile for your organisation on our online platform, MyCareer.
Following this, the Careers and Employability team will draft and upload your internship advert on your behalf. The details from your submitted form will be used to create the advert, so please ensure you include as much relevant and accurate information as possible.
Once published, your internship advert will be made available to BSU students on MyCareer.
Students will apply directly throughz the platform by submitting a CV and cover letter. All applications will be monitored by the Careers and Employability team.
INTERN SELECTION
Once your advert reaches its closing date, we'll compile all received applications into a PDF 'CV book' and send it to you for review.
Note: If you'd prefer to review applications on a rolling basis, please contact the Scheme Coordinator as early as possible so we can support you with this approach.
NEXT STEPS
After receiving the applications, it is your responsibility to:
Shortlist candidates based on your criteria.
Interview the most suitable applicants.
Select the candidate who's best suited to the role.
Please ensure you notify both successful and unsuccessful candidates of your decision in a timely and professional manner.
You must also confirm the following details with us within seven days of making your selection:
The name of the successful candidate.
The agreed start and end dates of the internship.
ONBOARDING AND COMMUNICATION
Once your intern has been appointed, please ensure you:
Provide a clear brief on the project or tasks.
Set realistic expectations and deadlines.
Give the intern the chance to ask questions or clarify details.
It’s important to check in regularly throughout the internship to monitor progress and provide guidance as needed.
Interns should also be given:
All necessary resources and information to carry out their work.
Contact details for key staff in case they need support or in the event of illness or emergency.
STUDENT PRE-PLACEMENT CHECK-IN
Once the internship has been fully confirmed, the Scheme Coordinator will offer the student a pre-placement meeting. This meeting is an opportunity to check in on how the student is feeling and to offer any relevant support from the university, including from our department or other university services.
PERSONAL FACTORS
BSU is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students.
Students who disclose personal factors - such as a disability, long-term health condition, or neurodiversity - may require reasonable adjustments for their internship.
The Scheme Coordinator will discuss any potential adjustments with the student and, with permission, communicate these needs to the organisation on their behalf.
If there are areas that require further clarification, the Scheme Coordinator may recommend arranging a meeting with the student and the organisation.
If the student prefers to manage all communications regarding personal factors by email, we'll ensure they're copied into all correspondence for full transparency.
EMPLOYER PRE-PLACEMENT CHECK-IN
The Employer Pre-Placement Check-In is designed to finalise any remaining details before the intern begins their placement. This brief ten-minute meeting - held by video call, phone, or in person - gives the employer an opportunity to ask any final questions and confirm logistical arrangements and support for the intern.
BSWI EMPLOYER CHECKLIST
During or shortly after the meeting, the employer will receive the BSWI Employer Checklist. This document outlines key steps to help ensure a successful and smooth internship experience for both your organisation and the student.
It includes guidance for pre-start preparations, week one onboarding, the midplacement check-in, and exit and feedback.
EXPECTATIONS OF THE EMPLOYER
The aim of these internships is to provide students with valuable and developmental learning opportunities. While roles should be suited to entry-level candidates, they should also offer genuine learning experiences, particularly in areas where students may not yet have extensive knowledge.
For many students, this may be their first experience in a professional setting. However, they bring a wide range of transferable skills and fresh perspectives, which they can apply to support your organisation.
Internships should expose students to meaningful work experience in a supportive and developmental environment
EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS
We expect all employers participating in the Bath Spa Works: Internships scheme to:
Advertise roles that involve students carrying out or contributing to meaningful projects within your organisation.
Ensure that all projects provide a genuine learning experience, are developmental, and enable students to build new skills.
Recruit fairly, using the same procedures you would use for any staff member.
Provide clear working guidelines, ideally in writing, including:
Expected outcomes and key deadlines,
Contact details for supervisors / mentors,
Required availability and working hours,
Procedures for illness or absence,
Access to any tools, information, or resources needed to complete the project.
Offer appropriate supervision and development throughout the internship.
Provide ongoing feedback, including a written reference or confirmation of performance at the end of the placement.
Maintain open communication with both the student and BSU staff to ensure a successful experience for all parties.
Comply with university approval processes, including submission of any required documentation.
Support record-keeping, if applicable, by signing off hours for students whose internship counts toward their course.
IMPORTANT NOTE
BSU reserves the right to withdraw a student from an opportunity if conditions are not being met and may decline future advertisements from the company in such cases.
