About the Crankstart Internship Programme

Crankstart Scholars at the University of Oxford are encouraged to gain work experience during their time at Oxford, with funding and support available to help them do so.

What we offer

The Crankstart Internship Programme is facilitated by the University of Oxford Careers' Internship Office. The programme provides Crankstart Scholars with advice, guidance, and support to undertake a work placement during the University vacations. The programme includes:

Exclusive internships for Crankstart Scholars.
A weekly bulletin highlighting internships and career opportunities as well as events of interest/available to Scholars.
Unlimited one-to-one CV & Internship Advice Sessions, with dedicated Crankstart Programme staff.
Access to funds to support unpaid/poorly paid work experience and research placements.
A Crankstart Careers Mentoring Programme for Crankstart Scholars interested in having a mentor in a profession of their interest.
The Crankstart Career Development Programme which supports Scholars to generate their career ideas and job-search strategy.

Internship arrangements

The Crankstart Internship Programme offers both remote internships and in-person internships. These arrangements are considered carefully according to the circumstances surrounding each placement. For in-person internships overseas, it is essential that interns regularly check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

Information for employers

If you are an employer interested in offering an internship to Crankstart Scholars or other students at Oxford, Employer Information page on The Crankstart Internship Programme.

Contact

If you have any questions about the Programme and/or any of its features, please email [email protected].

Further information

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Crankstart exclusive internships

We offer over 200 internships each academic year in a variety of sectors exclusively to Crankstart Scholars, taking place in the winter, spring and summer vacations. Employers who have participated include The Institute of Cancer Research, The Institute for Public Policy Research, The World Resource Institute, Publishers Association and Justice.

Crankstart Exclusive Internships are advertised on a rolling basis via the Crankstart Internship Programme bulletins, which are sent to all Scholars approximately once a week during term-time.

Help finding your own internship

We can help Crankstart Scholars explore work experience corresponding to your skills and interests. This can be in any sector, from a week’s micro-internship to a two-month internship over the summer. Your placement can take place in the UK or abroad.

Getting ideas

The first part of this process is to identify the type of placement you would like to undertake. To start your research you can:

Book an appointment to see a Careers Adviser for sector-specific advice. Our careers advisers offer objective, confidential careers guidance based on your individual needs. They can also check CVs and cover letters. Please let them know you are a Crankstart Scholar so that you can be fast-tracked if needed. Crankstart Scholars CV and Internship appointments are 30 minute sessions dedicated to internship support.
Look at different sectors to see what you might be interested in.
Keep an eye on the Crankstart Internship Bulletin for offers of exclusive internships for scholars, as well as other careers opportunities and ideas.
Browse the Summer Internship Programme listings on CareerConnect for ideas (open from Hilary term).
Explore the Micro-Internship Programme, which offers short work placements in 9th Week of every term.
Search for an internship on our vacancy database CareerConnect, where you will find vacancies and internship programmes from national and international recruiters.

Following an internship

On completion of an internship found through the Crankstart Internship Programme, you are committed to providing feedback on your experiences. This will comprise of a feedback form which is emailed out during the summer vacation. Considerable value is placed on the feedback as it helps to develop and improve the programme. If you have any queries please contact us: [email protected].

The Internship Office

As part of the Crankstart Internship Programme, we have a dedicated Crankstart Team in the Internship Office who can answer any queries you have about the programme or the Internship Office. We are happy to offer guidance and answer questions from making an application to reflecting on what you have gained from the experience. We can also answer questions on funding for internships, or booking a one to one session. The best way to do this is to email us at [email protected]

As a Crankstart Scholar you can apply for funding to support your internship. This can be for an internship that is advertised through the Crankstart Internship Programme or for one which you secure yourself. Internships include both research and professional experiences and should provide training and support to aid your career development. Internships should offer an opportunity to work on a graduate-level, structured project or a defined set of tasks.

The awards vary depending on the location of the internship, the remuneration and living arrangements. The University has to ensure that Crankstart Internship Programme funding is directed to approved opportunities that make the best impact in widening opportunities for the maximum number of Crankstart Scholars possible. All proposals are subject to an approvals process. Before making an application, please note the following:

Internships taking place in the UK must be a minimum of 3 days.
International internships must be a minimum of 2 weeks in Europe, or 3 weeks for anywhere else in the world, and in the same location.
You can expect us to confirm internships with host organisation before a bursary is paid.
If you are applying for a self-sourced internship (i.e. one not arranged through the internship office), your employer will need to send a confirmation letter, stating the duration, dates, and remuneration of the internship, directly to the Crankstart Internship team at: [email protected]. Self-sourced internships must conform to all the rules of the Crankstart Internship Bursary.
For-profit organisations are expected to pay at least National Minimum Wage (NMW). However, you can claim the difference between NMW and London Living Wage (£14.80 per hour), if your internship is based in London, or Oxford Real Living Wage (£14.06 per hour) for all other internships in the UK.
All UK internships funded through the Crankstart Internship Bursary are paid at Living Wage. Under exceptional circumstances, we will consider funding expenses instead if these are higher than Living Wage and you can provide evidence that Living Wage will not cover the cost of your internship. However, any expenses claimed must be deemed reasonable for both the location and duration of the internship.
We do not provide funding for internships offered through a fee-paying organisation.
For conservation internships and international medical electives, we would urge you to discuss your requirements directly with the Internship Office as we know these are often arranged through a third party with a fee attached.
We do not provide funding for internships organised by a third-party/recruitment organisation.
Save in exceptional circumstances that meet our criteria, we do not provide funding to attend Insight Days, Summer Schools or conferences. In rare cases where payment for a conference is approved only the conference fee, travel and accommodation costs can be considered (and not any lost earnings).
We do not fund work undertaken on behalf of students, student societies or student led organisations (either for committee work or related voluntary activity).
Funding cannot be provided more than once for the same internship.
Funding is only available for internships that take place during the winter, spring, or long vacation, unless you are a suspended student.
You may only receive funding from the Bursary for one full-time internship (defined as 35 hours or more per week) or period of full-time work experience at any one time, and not undertake more than one full-time placement (whether organised through the Internship Office or self-sourced) concurrently.
Any potential conflict of interest should be declared (e.g you must declare if you or any partner or family member have any interest in a host organisation). Having such an interest does not necessarily prevent funding being given, depending on the circumstances. Failure to declare such an interest may result in you being required to repay funding.
Retrospective claims for funding (for example, for unanticipated costs) must be made within six months of completion of the placement (and by the end of June of your final year if you are a finalist). Requests put forward after this time will not be considered.
Payment for internships is limited to 37.5 hours per week.
Internships are limited to 8 weeks (subject to available funding). These can be extended up to 12 weeks for finalists, or for other Scholars with the approval of your Academic or Senior Tutor at your college.
The limit on funding for a given academic year is £3,200.
Crankstart-funded internships cannot be included in your Crankstart volunteering hours.
Once funding requests have been approved it takes approximately 3 weeks for the payment to be processed by the University’s central finance department.
If an internship is cancelled (either by you or by the host), any funding provided will need to be returned in full. If an internship is only partially completed, the balance of the funds for the work not undertaken will need to be returned. You are required to inform us if your internship is not completed, or only partially completed.
Finalists applying for an internship after graduation must begin their placements by the end of 0th week Michaelmas term to be eligible for funding.
Students should research and carefully consider the risks involved in undertaking internships abroad by checking the FCDO web site. Do not apply for internships where the FCDO advises against travel as you will not receive funding. All students undertaking internships outside the UK must complete the "Planning for a safe internship" e-learning module. You will need to upload your certificate to your funding application on 'Pathways'
We reserve the right to reclaim your internship award if you do not provide the mandatory feedback on your internship experience.

The Crankstart Internship Bursary application form can be accessed through 'Pathways' on CareerConnect. It is important that you check the application requirements carefully on the first section of the form.

Checklist

In applying for an internship through the Crankstart Internship Programme, you agree to the following roles and responsibilities. Please read through the list below carefully and use it as a checklist to help prepare for your internship. This list is a mandatory component of the programme and online application form; you will be unable to submit an application unless you agree to the below.

By applying to and participating in the Oxford University Crankstart Internship Programme I agree to:

Satisfy myself that the internship is suitable for my needs in terms of content and environment.
Take responsibility for checking the viability of the internship, including (for International Internships) regularly checking the Foreign Office website, as well as local guidance, to ensure the internship can be undertaken.
Cover directly any costs arising from health protection measures, such as vaccinations, quarantine, testing, or any other requirements of travel, save where the costs are expressly covered by any scholarship or other funding which I may be awarded relating to the internship. The Internship Office cannot be held responsible for additional costs that arise.
My Oxford email address being shared with the internship hosts to whom I have applied.
My personal data being transferred to the internship host for the purpose of assessing my application. I also accept that my data may be processed by the internship host in a country outside of the UK’s GDPR adequacy regulations.
Only accept an internship that I fully intend to complete. If I am uncertain about accepting an internship offer, I will seek advice from the Internship Office or a Careers Adviser.
Make travel arrangements and, where necessary, find suitable accommodation for the duration of the internship.
Only undertake one full-time internship (defined as 35 hours or more per week) or period of full-time work experience at any time.
Only undertake up to three weeks of work experience, during the winter and spring vacations.
Only undertake a maximum of eight weeks of work experience during the summer vacation, (this increases to a maximum of 12 weeks for finalists).
Contribute to the internship in a professional manner, including by working diligently on reasonable tasks assigned to me, and following reasonable instructions from the host organisation, for example, regarding health and safety or expected standards of conduct.
Obtain adequate travel and medical insurance which includes cover for personal money and property risks; any emergency medical expenses; and repatriation in case of a medical emergency or death.
Act as an ambassador for the University of Oxford, being aware at all times that my personal conduct both on placement and outside of work will reflect upon myself and the University.
Communicate regularly with the assigned point of contact within the host organisation.
Research the terms of any University or College travel grants that I wish to apply for to complement any stipend that may be offered by the host organisation or through the programme, and apply for such grant(s) in good time.
For International Internships, ensure that my passport is up to date and understand how long my passport must be valid for to enter the required country.
Obtain visas and work permits where necessary and take responsibility for making enquiries as to whether these are required. See our webpage on international travel and work experience visas for useful tips and resources.
For International Internships, arrange to have any necessary vaccinations, etc., which may be appropriate for the host country.
Advise the Internship Office by emailing [email protected] if any difficulties arise before or during an internship that may affect my ability to complete the placement.
Provide feedback to Oxford University at the end of the internship.

I understand:

The package of support or funding that is offered with this internship, and it is my responsibility to satisfy myself that the internship is financially viable for me. If a host is funding this internship and I become aware of any difficulties in receiving payment from the host organisation, I will notify the Internship Office immediately. I understand that the Internship Office is not responsible for reimbursing me in respect of any funding the host organisation may fail to pay me.
That there is support available from Careers, should I wish to declare a physical or mental disability or any health issues that I feel may impact my internship. Further, that while Careers can communicate disability-related needs to the internship provider on my behalf, the University is not responsible for the steps, if any, taken by the host organisation in response to that information and cannot advise on the extent of the host organisation’s obligation, if any, to make reasonable adjustments.
That if I am successful in securing an International Internship, it is my responsibility to take reasonable steps to familiarise myself with the laws and customs of the location I am travelling to, including checking the Foreign Office website.
That if I accept an International Internship I must complete the mandatory Careers training on ‘Planning for a Safe Internship’ before going, and undertake appropriate research into the laws and customs of the country to ensure that I understand any risks associated with such travel (visit the dedicated Foreign Office webpage with useful advice for solo female travellers, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travellers, as well as mental health travel advice).
That the University is not responsible in any way for the acts and/or omissions of the host organisation or any other aspect of my internship experience.
That if I choose to accept an internship or other opportunity offered directly by a host organisation which has not been advertised through the Crankstart Internship Programme, that opportunity falls outside the scope of the Crankstart Internship Programme. The University of Oxford is not responsible for the recruitment, selection, administration, funding, reviewing or delivery of such opportunities.
That the Crankstart Internship Programme does not advertise internships that require students to pay a fee to participate. If I choose to enter into any separate arrangement with a host organisation involving participation fees or other payments, I understand that I do so at my own risk independently of the Crankstart Internship Programme and am responsible for carrying out my own due diligence before making any financial commitment, including satisfying myself that the opportunity is suitable and understanding the financial and contractual risks involved.
If I receive any marketing approach from an organisation that previously advertised a funded internship opportunity through the Crankstart Internship Programme which invites me to apply for another, self-funded, internship I will notify Careers immediately.

I confirm the information provided in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and true, and I understand that inaccurate or untruthful information may compromise my application and/or terms of agreement of the internship and/or lead to the offer of the internship being withdrawn.

Search Oxford

About the Crankstart Internship Programme

What we offer

Internship arrangements

Information for employers

Contact

Further information

Finding an Internship

Crankstart exclusive internships

Help finding your own internship

Getting ideas

Following an internship

The Internship Office

One-to-One Internship Support

Funding

Your Roles and Responsibilities

Checklist

Internships and Volunteering

Former Interns' Experiences on the Programme

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