International Traineeship

International Traineeship

► Funding available

As well as study exchange opportunities, the Go Abroad team can help with funding to support students to gain valuable international work experience. We are unable to fund Summer or Graduate Traineeships for 2023. We may be able to fund Language, MChem and Industrial Placement students undertaking a traineeship in 2023/2024.

Who would this option suit?

An international traineeship is an option for all students, regardless of degree programme or level.  Typical traineeship activity includes:

  • English Language Assistantships - students on Modern Language degree programmes are required to spend a period of time abroad in a country of their studied language.  Some will choose to spend this time studying at a partner institution but others may choose to undertake an international traineeship.  This could be teaching English through the British Council's ELA programme or an independent traineeship plan, with support and approval from the relevant Go Abroad Tutor.
  • Industrial Placement - students on 5-year degree programmes with 'industrial placement' in the title will spend a full year working in industry.
  • Degree Project Abroad - students on degree programmes involving a final year project e.g. MChem or Engineering, may choose to undertake this at a suitable European institution. Students of Postgraduate or Doctorate degrees may also pursue this option to undertake a period of research or training at an overseas institution.
  • Summer Traineeship - a flexible option for all students. To give some examples, previously Aberdeen students have saved sea turtles in Greece, undertaken lab work in the Netherlands and worked for a technology start-up in Dublin.
  • Graduate Traineeship - current students are eligible to apply for funding for a traineeship taking place within 12 months of graduation.

Funding criteria

To be eligible for funding via the Turing Scheme, traineeships must:

  • take place in an eligible destination country, ie that is safe for travel according to the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Officer.  You cannot receive funding for traineeships taking place in the UK or in your home country.
  • be at least 30 days duration.
  • be full-time, applicable to the type of work
  • be relevant to your subject area (this does not apply to graduate traineeships).

Please note that we are unable to offer funding support for summer/graduate traineeships from our 2022/23 funding pot. If you haven't already done so, we would recommend that you sign up for our mailing list to be kept informed of alternative international opportunities.

Important points to note

  • We cannot source a traineeship for you. Rather this is an opportunity to receive additional funding for an eligible traineeship which you have secured independently. For tips on sourcing a traineeship, see our How do I apply? page

To find out more about applying, visit our How to Apply page

Further resources