Guidelines
Students are permitted to make an application to take a voluntary year from their studies in order to gain work experience as set out in University Regulation 36.1 (10). Any such application must be completed using Student Records OnlineLink opens in a new window which will be considered, if supported by the student’s home department, for approval on behalf of the Senate by the Director of Student Administrative Services and the Assistant Director of Student Administrative Services.
1. Eligibility Criteria
The Voluntary Year Out Scheme is available to any undergraduate student enrolled on a course which does not provide the opportunity to undertake a year out for work or an intercalated year (i.e. there is not a year out variant of the course).
If you are currently temporarily withdrawn from your course you cannot apply to take part in this Scheme whilst temporarily withdrawn.
The Scheme is not available to students enrolled on a Degree Apprenticeship.
VISA SPONSORED STUDENTS
It possible for a Student Visa holder to take part in Warwick's Voluntary Year Out Scheme. However you must understand the implication of taking a break from your studies. Sponsorship will be withdrawn during this period of leave and you will be asked to provide evidence of departure from the UK. Once your Voluntary Year Out is over you will be required to apply for a new Student Visa from outside the UK before returning to your studies.
Where an application is approved you will be granted a 12-month suspension from your studies and will retain your student status throughout this duration. In most cases the voluntary year out would occur between the penultimate and final years of study. You must return to the same course as the one you left. Only one such year out may be taken by any student.
2. Objectives of the Scheme
The Voluntary Year Out Scheme is designed to enable students to put into practice the skills learned as part of their course and to develop broad-based transferable skills which will stand them in good stead when looking to enter the workplace after graduation.
3. Application Process
(a) If you are eligible under 1, above, you should first discuss your intention to make an application with your personal tutor and must make an appointment to see a careers advisor from Student OpportunityLink opens in a new window before approaching potential employers. Contact careers@warwick.ac.uk to arrange the appointment with the careers advisor. Student Opportunity may be able to offer advice and guidance on both sourcing one year placements and also with the completion of this application form. Student Opportunity may also be able to offer support in approaching your personal tutor.
(b) If your personal tutor is willing to support your application you should then complete this form and submit it to either the Director of Undergraduate Studies in your home department or your Head of Department to complete Section Four of the form.
(c) Your department will then forward the form to the Student Records Co-ordinator in Student Administrative Services who will seek the consideration of both signees.
(d) The deadline for the receipt of the application by the Student Records Co-ordinator is 30th June.
(e) Students who undertake their work placement in certain countries are likely to require a Convention de StageLink opens in a new window
or similar.
4. Completion Report
Upon completion of the voluntary year out you will be asked to submit a report which will formally document, review and evaluate the skills learned and used on your placement. The report should be submitted to your Head of Department.
To help you reflect on your experience and learn more about applying the skills you have gained from your Voluntary Year Out, please take a look at the WorkReady Toolkit. The toolkit provides resources, activities, further opportunities and training before, during and after your work experience.