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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 Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) and the Academic Registrar.

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 or an intercalated year (i.e. there is not a year out variant of the course).

Students who are currently temporarily withdrawn from their course cannot apply to take part in this Scheme whilst they are temporarily withdrawn.

The Scheme is not available to students enrolled on a Degree Apprenticeship.

It is not usually possible for a Student Visa holder to take part in Warwick's Voluntary Year Out Scheme. (This may be an option in exceptional circumstances, where the placement will take place outside of the UK or if students are able to obtain a different kind of visa so that they can work in the UK, if supported by the Student Immigration & Compliance team. If approved, the University will stop sponsoring your Student Visa for the year and you will be asked to provide evidence of departure from the UK).

Where an application is approved the student will be granted a 12-month suspension from their studies and will retain their student status throughout this duration. In most cases the voluntary year out would occur between the penultimate and final years of study. Students must return to the same course as the one they 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) Students eligible under the criteria set out in 1, above, should first discuss their intention to make an application with their 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 the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Academic Registrar.
(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 France are likely to require a Convention de StageLink opens in a new window.

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.