Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS).
If you can't find the information you are looking for in these FAQs then you can email us at .
Before you start
You should take a look at the URSS webpage to get a feel for what the scheme entails – the link is here, URSS webpages.Link opens in a new window
The research can be an area you are interested in. It doesn’t have to be related to your degree programme or department. You can also ask around in your department to find out if there are any on-going research projects you could get involved with.
You could also take a look at the kind of topics previous URSS applicants have chosen by browsing through the archive of projects which are stored in OMEKALink opens in a new window
Ask around in your department, email teaching staff to ask if they would consider acting as supervisor for your project. Come to the showcase event in November and talk to URSS participants and ask how they found their supervisor.
You may find the departmental staff profile pages helpful.
Application Questions
Applications open on Monday 6 October 2025 and close on Friday 6 February 2026.
Because of the very narrow margins of time available for both applicants and administration staff it is important that applications meet the deadlines.
The practice of getting applications in on time is a useful skill to prepare you for a possible career in research.
Yes, each group member must fill out their own application, nomatter how many there are in the group. Each person will have individual goals or skills they wish to develop which will differ from another person in the group. It is important that you are clear about what your particular role will be in the group.
Application will be selected through a two-stage selection process. Further details are available at Selection Process | URSS | University of Warwick.Link opens in a new window
The URSS is also open to final year students. If you are accepted, we will extend your registration, so you have access to your email, the library and other buildings.
Bursary Questions
Check you have uploaded your banking details to eVision as follows:
UK Bank Accounts
UG Students
- To enter your bank details please follow these steps:
- Go to www.warwick.ac.uk/evisionLink opens in a new window and log in using your Warwick username and password
- Click on ‘My Student Finance’ on the top bar
- Click on ‘Providing Your Bank Details’
- Click on ‘Collecting Bank Details for Payments to Students’
- Go through the process, ensuring you choose ‘UG payments (departmental awards for undergraduate students only, including URSS)’ from the drop down list
- When you have entered your details, please remember to select the ‘validate’ button before submitting.
Please note you can only submit bank details for UK bank accounts via our online system. We are unable to make payments into overseas bank accounts.
UG students need to contact with any queries over their bank details.
PG Students
PG students continue to be paid by the PG Scholarships team. They need to select ‘PG Payments (payments for all PG students except PGCE)’ from the drop-down list and queries need to go to .
Non-UK Bank Accounts
To receive a payment to a non-UK bank account, you'll need to contact Accounts Payable to be paid by the Finance Office and not by Student Funding . Email us at URSS@warwick.ac.uk to let us know.
You do not need to keep receipts or evidence of spending for URSS administrative purposes. However,it might be beneficial to keep them so that you can estimate how well you can budget a project.
If you are staying in your home to carry out your project the bursary is not to cover your overseas travel home for the Summer.
If you have completed your project with no further costs expected, then no, you do not have to return any amounts remaining.
To receive a payment to a non-UK bank account, you'll need to contact Accounts Payable to be paid by the Finance Office and not by Student Funding .
Email us at URSS@warwick.ac.uk to let us know.
If your budget does not require the full bursary then you should only ask for as much as you need. This will ensure we can fund as many applications as possible.
If your project does not go ahead for whatever reason and you have already accepted and received your bursary, we will need for you to return the full amount. Email us at .Link opens in a new window
If you have started your project and your supervisor can confirm your difficulties in finishing, then you will not have to pay back any of the bursary.
Usually, the bursaries are transferred to your bank account sometime around mid- April. Remember that we can only transfer to UK bank accounts (See this information on eVision for instructions on how to register your details).
The maximum URSS bursary you can apply for is £1500. Some departments may offer top-up bursaries for their students.
You can do a research project without funding if you have support from a Warwick academic who is willing to supervise your project.
Project Questions
You can do the research in a different department from your home department, and the research topic does not have to be related to your degree course.
No, you can work on a group project – from two members upwards HOWEVER, each person must work individually on the project and produce an individual outcome. Please note, that each member of the group MUST submit their own application and can apply for their own bursary.
There are two kinds of projects which you can choose to do; the first is a research project which includes some public engagement activities, and the second is a project which aims to engage fully with the public. Find out more about public engagement and URSS on the Warwick Institute of Public Engagement page.
You should plan your project to take from 6-10 weeks. This includes doing any necessary literature reviews or gathering of resources.It does not matter if your project takes longer than expected as long as you meet the deadline for submitting your final outcome. ( Poster, academic paper, blog etc)
Yes, you can plan your research time whichever way suits you best. You could work for three weeks, break for two weeks and then return to the project for the last three (or more) weeks.
No, the project must be carried out between the end of May and the end of September. REMEMBER you should plan ahead so that you are not leaving the final submission until the last minute and missing the deadline for completion.
Travel Abroad
You can travel abroad to carry out your project as long as the destination is considered safe, and the Foreign travel advice - GOV.UKLink opens in a new window have not issued any travel restrictions. You will not be permitted to travel if the FCDO has advised against travelling to or through the country or a region that you wish to visit. You will be required to complete a Travel Risk Assessment form before you travel.
Guidance on travel safety and wellbeing and risk assessment requirements can be found on the University's Travel Hub pages.
It is possible to carry out your project in several destinations. All countries and cities you plan to visit should be listed on the application and the Risk Assessment form if your application is approved.
If you travel abroad for your URSS you will be required to complete a Travel Risk Assessment form. Once this has been submitted to the URSS Teams you will covered by Warwick’s Travel Insurance policy.
Find out more on the University's Travel Hub webpage.
Yes, you can travel for part of the project. For example, you may choose to travel abroad for 2 or 3 weeks of an 8 week project.
Accommodation
Short term accommodation can be booked via the University Accommodation website, and the following page provides a link to a list of campus residences and their costs: Student Services FAQ's Section 5 (warwick.ac.uk)Link opens in a new window
Yes, the bursary is intended to help towards the cost of your accommodation over the summer.
Yes, you can stay in off campus accommodation or home over the summer if you are not required to access campus facilities or labs.
Supervisor
The supervisor will advise and help you with all academic matters related to your project. You need to complete your application in conjunction with your supervisor.
Once you have decided on a research topic, approach an academic who has a research interest in this area and ask if they can supervise your project. You could also speak to your personal tutor and check the academic staff profile on the departmental webpages. We have included information and resources to help you with finding a supervisor on the application section here.
Your lead supervisor should be an academic or post-doctoral researcher at Warwick. You can have additional supervisors or a public engagement advisor who do not have to be Warwick employees. You will need to approve this with your lead supervisor.
Final Submission Questions
The most popular form is an A1 sized Academic Poster. This is usually displayed at the URSS Showcase event in early November. Find out more about how to produce your poster on the WIE guide to producing posters.
Your poster must include:
- your name
- your supervisor’s name
- your home department( and project department if different)
- and the URSS logo
- a 3 slide3 minute presentation
- an academic paper
- a blog or a video
Generally speaking, extensions to the deadlines cannot be granted. The whole scheme has a very tight timetable and late submissions cause administrative problems. We try to present students with as realistic a research experience as possible, and this includes the practice of meeting deadlines and managing your time. In exceptional circumstances extensions have been granted but these need to be sought by emailing Link opens in a new window
Yes, there are over 450 actual project outcomes on OMEKA – a platform for displaying and curating past projects.
The URSS Team will arrange for your poster to be printed via Graphics Arts Limited. Yourdepartment should cover the printing cost.
Yes, you are welcome to take your poster at the end of the showcase event.
Your poster can be displayed at the showcase even if you are unable to attend in person. If you have classes on the day of the showcase you could come for part of the event.
You can request a table at the event if you wish to display a physical artefact or installation.
Yes, you are still welcome to attend. It is a celebratory event, so we encourage all participants to attend.
The URSS is not graded but you are required to complete your research and then produce a poster or other output such as a blog, video, presentation,research paper etc. When you have completed everything the URSS will be reflected on your Higher Education Achievement Record.
Many students take part in the International Conference of UG Research (ICUR) which is held at Warwick in June every year.
You can also apply to present your research at BCUR or Posters in Parliament, or submit your research to the Reinvention Journal.
You can also speak to your supervisor about subject specific journals and websites.